This will be a grown up post.

BR has had many years of intensive therapy following which has been able to overcome most of his childhood resentments. If he can come to terms with personal issues then surely it is possible to find it in his heart to cease a lifelong hatred of a Leeds team which went out of existence 40 years ago?

Don't be misled, people. Despite Marco Borriello's innovative approach to legwear, Roma's Christmas party was not fancy dress. Luckily, other players performed marginally better in the fash stakes, as you can see here. Image via tumblr.

The party spirit has certainly overwhelmed Marco Borriello in this photo, and we must confess to spending a little too much time practicing for our own 'do this week, too.

By Chris Wright

So, Guti (along with his lovely lady WAG Romina Belluschio) attended the premiere of the latest Mission Impossible film in Madrid last night with an alarming smattering of facial growth affixed to his chinny chin chin...

Ahem. I'll just leave this here.

Saturday Sundae: Billy Sharp's standing ovation plus mirror images

Tractor Boys applaud opposition striker's goal; miss of the day contests; historical symmetry; and Wes Brown MOMENT OF THE DAY Ipswich fans giving Doncaster's Billy Sharp a standing ovation after he scored against them, days after the death of his son.

(In)Famous Facial Hair in Football: Then and Now - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

It's something that's perhaps said almost as much in jest as it is in seriousness, but for some, the mark of a true manly man is all in the facial hair.

If you subscribe to that notion, then you may also be among the population that feels that football isn't what it used to be, with finesse, flair, and frailty pushing physicality in the past, or at best compressed into several three-to-five minute Youtube compilations.

An online petition has been launched to get Mark Lawrenson to grow back his iconic moustache for charity. The petition calls for Lawro and three other sporting greats to revive their famed facial hair for Movember. Also targeted are the top lips of Ian Botham, Nigel Mansell and Barry McGuigan. So far only 155 people [.

An online petition has been launched to get Mark Lawrenson to grow back his iconic moustache for charity. The petition calls for Lawro and three other sporting greats to revive their famed facial hair for Movember. Also targeted are the top lips of Ian Botham, Nigel Mansell and Barry McGuigan. So far only 155 people [.

Image via Sport.es.

Lordy! Someone is growing up to be quite a scrumptious scruff master!

If you aren't already familiar, then it gives us great pleasure to introduce our contingency of readers to Barcelona's centre back, Andreu Fontas, who just renewed his contract with the club through 2015.

Image taken 3.10.2011.

Although it seems Kickette is quickly turning into 1. the haterade water cooler 2. a war zone, it's just an illusion.

Contrary to conspiracy theorists, we've been known to throw a compliment around from time to time. We've also been known to wear mismatching bras and panties six days out of seven.

By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Oct 13, 2011) US Soccer Players -- With the regular season coming to a close in Major League Soccer, Tony asks about Sporting's record, DC's lapses, and Red Bulls' future before moving to facial hair in Serie A. As always, your comments are welcome. Is Sporting Kansas City's road record really that bad?

Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville recently got together with magician Dynamo to compare facial hair and be wowed by a succession of magic tricks. Red Nev is visibly impressed and spooked in equal doses as Dynamo reels off his tricks. In fact, the only person busier than the quick-fire magician was the person in charge [.

David De Gea's living the charmed life. He's young, talented, rich, playing for Manchester United and he seems to be skating by unscathed from criticism about that diabolical patch of facial hair which is surely a result of new signee hazing at Old Trafford. (It's the only logical explanation, really.

Images: Getty Images/Daylife

Balotelli: Daniele? Can I have a moment?

De Rossi: My time is precious, homie. What is it?

Balo: Well, as a team elder I hold you in high esteem and have long admired your reputation, both on and off the pitch.

This feels like it should be a running segment, and it sort of is.

He's at it again, posing in a Real Madrid shirt despite playing for Valencia. Still, anyway.

Up for debate is whether or not the shirt or that facial hair is the most egregious decision in the photo.

French international Djibril Cissé signed with Lazio today, citing racism as the main reason for his departure from Greece. Cissé is probably best known for his eccentric and creative hair styles, which include not only the hair atop his head but facial hair as well. From the neck up, the man appears to be dressed like a clown.

Flop of the Season? Not from this angle, he's not. Images: Getty Image/Zimbio

Yes, since our methods of attracting votes redefined the political scene the world over, we have made it our business to keep a close eye on other sports media and their methods of gauging reader opinion. Not because we feel we can learn anything from them, obviously, but it's always good to keep abreast of what's going on outside our pinkly painted party pad.

Morning all.

Dublin has returned to normal following the visit of some American rock star yesterday. Can't say I'd ever heard his music before but he must be pretty good to have entire swathes of the city centre closed off. I guess he was just lucky that we have so many unemployed people who could spend all day waiting around for him to appear.

A man is who is facial hair is.... (Rollie Fingers, 1985)

A lot of press around the Jay DeMerit story and rightfully so. It's a beautiful tale as a Wisconsin soccer god and good guy grabs his knapsack and heads to Europe in search of a "football" career on the very island that birthed the game.

This picture is so full of win, we almost can't stand it. Saddos? Pay attention. REAL men feel pain and give hugs. 'Kay? Image: Getty Images/Daylife

Morning team! With a magnificent week of football ahead, it is vital that you are fully conversant with the events in the major European leagues over the weekend.

Samir Nasri better be more careful or he'll end up with a strained forehead. Image: Getty Images/Daylife.

Unlike England, the French NT are surprisingly free from controversy and poor clothing decisions at the moment. And, if these pictures from their training session at Clairefontaine yesterday are to be believed, they are approaching their Euro 2012 qualifier against Luxembourg on Saturday with a killer combo of humour and cuteness a policy we heartily endorse.

The Los Angeles Galaxy media team did a couple of videos while the players were in pre-season training in Arizona. In one they focus on some of the rookies and their new experience as professionals in their first weeks with the team. In another they focus on the 'keepers and on the long-time relationship between new Galaxy assistant coach Curt Onalfo and Head Coach Bruce Arena.

Images: Getty Images.

Hearing how Arsenal captain/Finest Five member, Cesc Fabregas suddenly found himself in facial hair distress earlier today was all shades of traumatic for our office. For one unfortunate staffer, the decision making panic set in all too quickly as she failed to tried to avoid recalling a painful memory of the time she was left stranded by her Mum in one of Harrod's dressing rooms.

Here at Kickette HQ, we don't ask for much. Good footy, good eats, the ability to drink our own body weight in vodka without recourse, etc.

And though our day to day expectations err on the low end of the scale (arriving at the office with two matching shoes is deemed a successful event), we do so love it when our in-boxes bring us surprisingly joyful messages.