Media commentary on players tends to focus on high earners with glamorous lifestyles. But there are actually more players who are struggling to make a living in the Conference or Leagues 1 and 2. At this level, it has been suggested that squads are being cut by an average of five to save money which reduces the job opportunities available.
Media commentary on players tends to focus on high earners with glamorous lifestyles. But there are actually more players who are struggling to make a living in the Conference or Leagues 1 and 2. At this level, it has been suggested that squads are being cut by an average of five to save money which reduces the job opportunities available.
Players are increasingly been offered short-term contracts and, given the cost of petrol, finding a club in their own area becomes an increasingly important consideration. Some players may be forced to drop out of football altogether, although the job market in general is not strong and often footballers do not have much of a skill set they can use outside the game.
That may be changing as the number of footballers with degrees or equivalent level qualifications seems to be increasing. I can remember the days when someone like Steve Heighway, a Warwick graduate and subsequently Liverpool player, was seen as a bizarre novelty. I remember a player from a northern club being criticised by them for taking an Open University course.
I have known quite a few non-league players who have been happy to live on what is notionally a part-time contract. At Conference level, this might amount to £20-£25k (a year not a week) which is enough for a young single bloke to live on.