Once, players came to football expecting to be wealthy when they retired. Now, they expect to be wealthy before they've played their first game!
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
The source of wealth is from individuals with little or no history of interest in the game, who have happened upon football as a means of serving some hidden agenda.
When I was young, it wasn't about the money, it wasn't about the fame and fortune, it was about playing football.
Money is not a motivating factor. Money doesn't thrill me or make me play better because there are benefits to being wealthy. I'm just happy with a ball at my feet. My motivation comes from playing the game I love. If I wasn't paid to be a professional footballer I would willingly play for nothing.
I remember my dad, who coached football, would buy some of his players football shoes when they couldn't afford it.
Many players want to make as much money as they can and change teams for ten grand. How is that going to make much difference to their lives?
Something interesting has happened over the last 10 years in the Premier League. Players who once would have been discarded as expensive and too old have become important parts of title-winning squads.
I believe a lot of players that start to think about money - 'Oh my goodness; I'm up for a new contract' - they don't have a great season because they're thinking about all these different things. Do your business on the field, and everything takes care of itself.
Football has to work really hard to put a smile on people's face and not to be so focused on the question of money. Everything is in danger of losing its soul if you're always going to sell out to the highest bidder.
Money was never the motivation. It never should be in sports.
The only football players in my time were fellows who really loved to play football. They were not in it for the money. There wasn't much money there. They would have played football for nothing.