Even on this modern age of pampered players and more clinical changing room atmospheres, you can be sure that half the stuff passed as jokes up and down the divisions would be considered niche humour at best.
Back in the day however when ‘banter’ was a byword for ‘being a massive dick’, you would need pretty thick skin to survive any changing room onslaught.
Take for instance former German international Dietmar Hamann who in 1998 received the charming Christmas gift of a copy of Adolf Hitler’s autobiographical manifesto “Mein Kampf” as a hilarious Christmas present from a no doubt chuffed mystery Newcastle player.
Speaking on a Twitter Q&A, the ex holding midfielder confirmed.
Because he’s German……gettit?
We’re sure Hamann didn’t take too much offence from such a moronic gesture. Especially if the gift was from fellow Magpie at the time Duncan Ferguson.
It’s best to keep Bug Dunc happy even if it means gracefully accepting Nazi paraphernalia with a big smile on your face.