Halloween and Bonfire Night have been and gone, and the shops are all decked out with bells, holly, and every other type of festive adornment you can think of - and that means it's (almost) the most wonderful time of the year.

The time of year when love, excitement and the scent of pine trees fills the air - except on Saturday mornings, which are filled with dread at the local weather report, and regret that you never convinced your kids to take up a nice indoor activity, like gymnastics, or dancing.

But we all love it, really!

Anyway, football momentarily to one side, the growing excitement and deteriorating weather also means it's time for this year's AC Hoylake Christmas parties, which we run every year for all our age groups up to under 11.

Here's all you need to know...

When is AC Hoylake's Christmas party?

As usual, we'll be running two parties, to make things more manageable (and stop the older kids nicking sweets off the younger ones), here are the details...

Under 5s to Under 8s

When? 1pm to 3pm on Sunday, December 9th.
Where? Hoylake Community Centre, The Parade, Hoyle Road, Hoylake, CH47 3AG

Under 9s to Under 11s

When? 3.30pm to 5.30pm on Sunday, December 9th.
Where? Hoylake Community Centre, The Parade, Hoyle Road, Hoylake, CH47 3AG

If you're unsure where the venue is, click on this map.

Entry is £3 per child (all kids are welcome, not just ones that play for Hoylake), and each party will have a disco, party games and raffles for some great prizes. Each child will get a GIANT hot dog to keep their energy levels up for the afternoon's fun.

Every penny we make will from entry fees and raffles will go to paying for the day, but whereas we usually put any money left back into the club, this year we'll be donating the cash to AC Hoylake coach Paul Roberts, to help aid his recovery from Encephalitis.

Paul was diagnosed with the uncommon but life-threatening condition in which the brain becomes inflamed. It has meant Paul has not been able to work for a number of months now, as he continues to be treated in hospital.

To find out more on the condition, go to NHS.UK.

There will also be a collection bucket and football scratch cards sold on the day to help boost the fund.

Everyone at the club would like to wish Paul and his family well.

Thanks in advance for your support - it's always a great day, and a good chance for the teams to get together away from the football - and if anyone can help out on the day, drop Paul an email at paul.williams@achoylake.com