Jack Wilshere

[jon1959]

Pay as you play deal? That way it would cost us nothing!

Has there ever, in the history of football, been a genuine 'pay as you play' deal?

I know some players have played for nothing, just to get their foot in the door or to stay in the game. I know some players have been on a low basic wage with significant appearance bonuses.

But 'pay as you play' is so often trotted out as an option when it seems to be an urban myth or else as rare as hens teeth!

[City123]

Has there ever, in the history of football, been a genuine 'pay as you play' deal?

I know some players have played for nothing, just to get their foot in the door or to stay in the game. I know some players have been on a low basic wage with significant appearance bonuses.

But 'pay as you play' is so often trotted out as an option when it seems to be an urban myth or else as rare as hens teeth!

Legally I imagine you have to have some kind of basic wage to play at the professional level

[Des Parrot]

Has there ever, in the history of football, been a genuine 'pay as you play' deal?

I know some players have played for nothing, just to get their foot in the door or to stay in the game. I know some players have been on a low basic wage with significant appearance bonuses.

But 'pay as you play' is so often trotted out as an option when it seems to be an urban myth or else as rare as hens teeth!

Much of non league is pay as you play. I’ve been paid cash, vouchers, tokens, anything would do.

[jon1959]

Much of non league is pay as you play. I’ve been paid cash, vouchers, tokens, anything would do.

Fair enough.

I should have said professional football.

Most of the references I have seen about possible 'pay as you play' deals have been on Cardiff message boards about potential Cardiff signings.

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Fair enough.

I should have said professional football.

Most of the references I have seen about possible 'pay as you play' deals have been on Cardiff message boards about potential Cardiff signings.

You're quite right about that. There have been lots of suggestions about having players on a "pay-as-you-play" basis on this meassageboard. I'm sure the PFA would have something to say about that.

[NYCBlue]

Has there ever, in the history of football, been a genuine 'pay as you play' deal?

I know some players have played for nothing, just to get their foot in the door or to stay in the game. I know some players have been on a low basic wage with significant appearance bonuses.

But 'pay as you play' is so often trotted out as an option when it seems to be an urban myth or else as rare as hens teeth!

Didn't George Best have a pay-as-you-play deal at some point? Hibs? Stockport?

[jon1959]

Didn't George Best have a pay-as-you-play deal at some point? Hibs? Stockport?

I had forgotten that. You are right - he did sign for Hibs on a 'pay as you play' deal.

Although to be fair that was after he had offered to play for any top flight English side for free, and the Hibs deal apparently included guarantees about playing time - so not quite what is normally meant by 'pay as you play'.

https://www.skysports.com/football/s...ar-in-scotland