THERE’S A PERIOD, probably between the ages of 12-20, when you’re not supposed to like the Late Late Toy Show.

But let’s be honest, you never really dislike it.

The 2017 edition is back tonight and it got us thinking in the office about our favourite sporting Christmas toys as kids.

“Mine was Pro Action Football which was Subbuteo with notions. I’ve never taken care of a toy as well as that one until a friend of mine chewed one of the mini footballs.”

TOMY SUPER CUP FOOTBALL - I liked it so much I even painted the spare nudey players into my own team.”

“I have fond memories of a little net that you could fix to any table and ping pong paddles… But we had a round table at home.”

My little brother got a foosball table one year. It was incredible. Except we later learnt that each of the little men came in about five pieces which had to be constructed – feet, legs, top, head AND hair. ‘Santa’ was up until about 4am getting it all sorted. Roughly an hour before my brother woke up!”

“I bought an American football helmet one year in November and my mam gave me the money for it so it would be my gift that year. She took it off me on Christmas Eve to wash it and make it look new.”

One year I got something called a 10-in-1 game station. It was a table that converted into a pool to table, ping pong, table tennis, air hockey etc. It changed my life and made me a better person I think.”

But that’s enough about us, what about you? Let us know your favourite childhood sporting Christmas toys in the comments section below.

The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):