Originally Posted by
Spudulika
A point frenchman made very clearly is something I've been asking people around the league. What is the definition of a professional? If the definition is a person who is full time training and preparing for games, then it would be more than possible to have 4-5 full time clubs in the league with most clubs (in the Premier at least) have 5-6 full timers. So then it knocks into - what is a living wage? If the gross is 2,500 a month for 12 months, you're looking at an outlay of 30,000euros pa. Kick in bonuses etc and it's a fairly decent wage for players who are genuinely into playing football full time. The crux comes when players are unable to survive on this amount and have to pick up extra work on the side, which damages the whole idea and process of going professional. So how does it work? A club I worked with had players (this was rugby) on part-time contracts but with training and recovery schedules that fitted in with work and also with work that fitted the schedules, not completely, but enough. It was possible to have a core of 4 pros full time, 8 part-time and 18 amateurs, which brought a small club on in leaps and bounds. In football I've seen it done likewise and the whole thing boils down to good management and direction. Recovery is vital in every way. However clubs will begin outbidding each others for players, and as now, will offer money on contract and a wedge under the table (as one prominent club is wont to do). This kills the system and can never be fully regulated, not until a player gets the hump or a major club official hands over the books. Which will be never.