Forget the formalities. Forget the family gatherings, the cold turkey sandwiches and Christmas hangovers. Boxing Day is for one thing and one thing only – sport.

There’s nothing better than being on the terrace and freezing off those extremities so you can get out of the house on December 26 – and away from those aunties and uncles who tend to take up squatters’ rights over the Christmas period.

Of course, the Boxing Day derby was a mainstay during the winter era, so it does seem a huge shame that fewer and fewer clubs are keeping the tradition alive.

The reasons are understandable. Most teams don’t even return to pre-season training until the start of November, while some players in Super League won’t be back until early December, and it’s difficult to get players up to game speed in such a short period of time.

So when I heard the Bulls would be having a hit-out on Boxing Day this year, a grin cracked my usually miserable face.

I know I shouldn’t be thrilled at the prospect of working the day after Christmas but I just can’t shake those memories of trips to the game with my dad to enjoy hot Bovril and good banter – even fans can embrace the season of goodwill.

When Bradford travel to Castleford this year, it will be their first Boxing Day game since facing Leeds at Headingley in 1999 and Bulls hooker Wayne Godwin is similarly excited about the match, particularly as it’s being played on his doorstep.

“Ever since I was a Cas junior I’ve been used to playing Boxing Day,” said Godwin.

“We used to play friendlies every Boxing Day. You’d have your Boxing Day game and then you’d be out straight after to meet your mates.

“I always quite enjoyed it and I’m a big believer in these games. It’s a shame they don’t happen as much now and it will probably be new to a lot of people.

“I’ve always been used to it but when I moved to Wigan there were no games like that and since I’ve been at Bradford there have been no Boxing Day games. I can’t wait.”

I’m not naive enough to think the clash at the Jungle will be just like days gone by. With less at stake than when Boxing Day games fell slap, bang in the middle of the season, priorities have inevitably changed.

During the summer era, these clashes have been used as a chance to blood young talent in a first-grade setting, to test them against tougher opposition and in front of bigger crowds than they’ll come across at under-21 level.

When I was covering Warrington Wolves last year, many supporters questioned the wisdom of Bulls legend Jimmy Lowes, then the club’s head coach, in selecting a team that looked seriously wet behind the ears for their Boxing Day friendly against Wigan.

A familiar gripe was that the squad, which included 12 debutants, did not include a single player who would feature in Wolves’ first-choice 17 during the Super League campaign and the 44-4 defeat they suffered seemed to prove it was a futile exercise.

But by the end of last season, three of those young hopefuls had appeared in Wolves’ 19-man squad for the Challenge Cup final, while another three had featured in Super League.

Similarly, Godwin hopes the Bulls can use their trip to Cas as a testing ground for many of their rising stars.

He said: “Hopefully some of the young kids will impress at the start of pre-season and put their foot in the door. That’s what the Boxing Day games were all about when I was at Cas.

“It gives the kids a chance to show what they’re about and also allows myself and the other lads to put our foot in the door for the other friendlies and for the 17 come the start of the season.

“We’ve got good kids and they’re level-headed, so it bodes well. I’m a big believer in developing English talent and it’s great to see them being given a shot.”

The Boxing Day game is a tradition which deserves to survive, so put on your scarf and woolly hat, tune up your singing voice and brave The Jungle this year.