Heinz Muller

They might win the battle but they'll lose the war. Clubs will just offer players temporary contracts on 2 years or less. It'll be the end of the transfer system too like as no club is going to pay £millions to keep a player for less than 2 years. By which time the player must be released unless he's given a permanent position. And you can't make him redundant unless you never play anyone in that position again. I suppose you could sign someone up as a goal stopper, make him redundant and sign the next one up as a goalkeeper, then a shot stopper, then a clean sheet enforcer...

Highest paid person at the club will be the one in charge of coming up with ridiculous names for the employment position that's being offered. Starboard pinion astern.

 

Can't say I disagree but at the same time it doesn't seem right to treat a certain employment type as if normal standards of employment protection don't exist. Of course the big guns are ok but those at the lower end of the pyramid have little in terms of job security, financial security or long term prospects. It's a conundrum though because as you say they are likely to make their position less not more secure.

 

Of course most footballers outside the top leagues don't earn much. Torquey were in the news the other day with an average wage of 300 quid. These guys deserve some protection don't they?

 

I'd play for Torquay for £300. To be honest, I'd play for Torquay for free.

What you're saying is right, but I struggle to have any sympathy. Pro footballers do so few hours it's basically a hobby they are paid to do and it's something the vast majority of us would do for nowt. Actually, many people do do it for nowt. They spend a couple of hours in the gym a few times a week and play football on a Sunday. And work full time.

 

I can't say I disagree with any of that though it becomes less of a hobby and a job when it pays your bills and maybe doesn't recognise the ability you need to play professionally at any level.

The lads at Torquay would probably earn the same working at the local Tescos so should probably have the same employment rights. Though of course an unscrupulous employer could stick them all on zero hours contracts.

I think we all get caught up with the footballers who earn ridiculous amounts of money for very little effort but I'm not sure that's reflective of the vast majority of players but at the same time makes it hard to be particularly sympathetic.

I guess I don't think it's a black and white issue.

 

Are Torquay full time professional? If not then £300 a week isn't bad for a part time job that supplements other earnings.

 

Full time pros. One of there lads quit this week to become a car salesman because it pays better.

 

That sort of happened with us in the 80s. We, along with a few other clubs, apparently offered a contract to Kim Casey of Kidderminster Harriers. He was scoring for fun in non-league. But he also had a car selling business that he was making more money from than he would have made turning pro, so he was happy to stay as a part-time footballer.

 

I remember that. The Torquay bloke is going to work for commission only. Must be a lot of cars for to sell in Devon.