Don't know if it should be here and I know that I'll get slated by more than a few here as well but.

Whats the crack with these testimonial seasons then? I find it a bit odd that someone who is probably on 4 times a year what I'm on asking for the fans to dip into their pockets and fork out for all sorts of events so they can earn loads during this testimonial season.

Why do they need all this money? Have they not saved anything or put any away during the time that they've been playing. I can understand when the game was amature and the players were getting peanuts each game but like I said most of the players are on about 4 times my wage and some are on more.

Can I have a testimonial year when I've been with my company 10 years? And get lots of people who I don't know but know who I am to fork out on lots of events so I can have even more money than I had before.

I'ts not like they won't be able to get a job when they retire is it. Most of these players are intelligent guys who have probably got something lined up for when they finish anyway.

Anyway I'm sure you will all enlighten me on this subject.

It's a loyalty thing basically,still prelevant in football, if you can actually find a long serving player these days.Think Giggs had one against Celtic, pretty sure Scholes had one or is due one,Freestone had one against Chelsea. Stevo was offered one after another 3 seasons due to not being able to match Montferrand's wages. usually after 10 years/ service. These are sportsmen we're talking about, all on good money (or silly money in football). Moans usually stem from jealousy. Yes, I am jealous that rooney will earn more in a week than i will earn in 3 years, but if I was in the same position I'd ensure i'd make as much money as possible, that's what we all do anyway isn't it? I get paid a good wage for my work, prob above the local average, but I work for it and strive to improve to make even more (god,I sound like a capitalist!).Point is, I reckon I'm paid what I'm worth, with what I do I could probably do a "football" and move to whichever company wants to pay for my experience.Just on a far smaller scale than sportsmen. Unfortunately it's the society we live in (debate can be carried over to ordered section!).

Anyway, footballers wages make me sick anyway, I am a jealous man! Testemonials for rugby players? possibly not these days. Presume Nigel/Moony/Proctor/Garan/Boobyer didn't make a huge amount through rugby? enough yes, but not on the scale the players today are making. Ieuan's testemonial-he was worth every penny as he was God!  

Pedro Diniz wrote: Am I right in thinking it's Robin's testimonial this year?

Dont know but it would be next year then 2005.

I think testimonals work on actual year rather than season.

hence the next thing in the calendar is a black tie dinner for Garan

It's part of a players contract nowadays.

For example Celtic couldn't stretch to the offers made to Henrik Larsson a few years back, so the put a testimonial into his contract knowing how idolised he was and suddenly they have found an extra £2m.

Fans happy, player happy, club happy.

If we go for Stephen in two years time, I imagine we'll offer him the same thing knowing that we can't compete with his Montferrand wages.

Makes sense to me.

Lino wrote: But why do we (the fans) have to fork out even more so they (who are earning loats more than us) can have even more money. Thats all I'm asking. I don't think it's right somehow.

Why do you feel you have to? You really don't. No need to feel bitter about it - it's purely choice.

*not gonna start the market forces debate again this week*

Lino wrote: Who said I felt bitter about it. I don't . It is about choice, thats why I don't ever support these events.

You said "but why do we (the fans) have to fork out even more so they (who are earning loats more than us) can have even more money. Thats all I'm asking. I don't think it's right somehow."

You infer that there is an obligation on fans to pay for a testimonial ("why do we (the fans) have to fork out even more...)"

Mike wrote: Lino wrote: Who said I felt bitter about it. I don't . It is about choice, thats why I don't ever support these events. You said "but why do we (the fans) have to fork out even more so they (who are earning loats more than us) can have even more money. Thats all I'm asking. I don't think it's right somehow." You infer that there is an obligation on fans to pay for a testimonial ("why do we (the fans) have to fork out even more...)"

sigh

i do agree that it now seems to be an ongoing thing  for testimonials,

charity race night,charity cricket,charity dinner,charity clothes show,etc etc.

i dont mind contributing towards any good cause but where do you stop.

It is Robin's testimonial this season, and rightfully deserved too. Now theres a player for you who shows loyalty and comitment to the club, he is brilliant !