Jermain Defoe may not thank Burnley winger Wade Elliott for revealing that the England international once turned up at a Christmas fancy dress party wearing a dress and wig, looking like Diana Ross.
Defoe was a teammate of Elliott when he was on-loan at Bournemouth from West Ham in his early days at Upton Park, and Elliott said: “It was the best Christmas party I can remember.
“I remember walking down the high street in Bournemouth and seeing three of the lads in ‘New Look’ trying out women’s outfits.
“Jermain turned up looking like Diana Ross or one of the Supremes. I was more like Barbara Windsor in my dress with a big blonde beehive on my head.
“We had a great laugh but got a few strange looks when we were out – and I think there are pictures.”
Burnley are due to have their annual Christmas party next week, and Elliott added: “We have a tight group that socialise a lot, we go out for meals and nights out together.
“It’s the perfect chance to talk about the games and be open with our views, to sit down and talk it through.
“We obviously care about what we are doing. We can be honest with each other and then we move on from it. You can be critical without being personal.”
The subject of football club’s Christmas parties has been raised this week in the aftermath of what happened in the Stoke City dressing room last weekend, and Clarets’ boss Owen Coyle said: “You should have a party, enjoy it, but make sure it doesn’t go too far.
“The problems only happen with alcohol, so you have to remember to be responsible for yourself and the club.”
