KERRY MAYO TESTIMONIAL : Re-scheduled to July 2006

[Spiros]

In short, I think that Kerry's reward is that he has been a professional footballer for ten years, playing at a good standard and being paid well to live a life the fans can only dream of.

But what does he do once he hangs up his boots? He will soon have to continue to live while learning another trade - there are very few openings for managers/coaches and he spent his youth at the club, not learning how to be a plumber. electrician, computer programmer or anything like.

If you define 'live a life that only fans can dream of' as living in Peacehaven and sharing a beaten-up Audi with Gary Hart then you are starting from a different point than me. As others have said professional footballers in the lower divisions are not paid anything like those in the prem and Kerry won't have earnt many win bonuses during his time in the Championship. Also I don't think football clubs provide any kind of pension scheme for their players - the testimonial is how it's done for long-serving players.

I am glad that this has now been rearranged as I am on holiday on 2nd September, so will gladly pay the £20 to go next July and will have no beef at all if Kerry keeps the lot.

 

[maffew]

I'm sorry, not in fact i'm not. What the hell are some of you idiots saying?!!

Kerry Mayo is our longest serving players. He has been with us through thick, think and thinner. He is certainly not a rich Permiership star and his salary is comparable to many on this board. The difference is that Kerry is only 27 years old, may be nearing the end of his football career (McGhee has already stated that he thinks he can get "one more year out of Kerry playing at this level"). I fully expect that if we stay up he will be let go next year.

Kerry we either have the choice of uprooting home to play for another team for a minimal wage or finding another job. And believe me, he WILL need another job - he has not earned enough in his football career to be out of work for any period of time.

This is why we have testimonials - it is like the lump sum that many receive when they retire from work - to help Kerry through the future and his long life after football. This money will have to last him a life time.

I agree that players who earn £100k a week such a Ryan Giggs don't need a terstimonial - but Kerry doesn't even earn anything like this in a year! Even so, i don't believe Ryan Giggs gave anything to charity - few do!

Kerry does not owe this club anything. It is us that owe him. Loyalty is rare in football these days. He deserves everything he gets and i for one plan to support him in any way we can.

The club loses nothing from this. All expenses are paid and Kerry keeps the profits whatever they may be. We get a night of fantastic entertainment and get an opportunity to witness sights we wouldn't otherwise see such as Ward and Zamora up front together!

Please please get behind Kerry. There are no losers - everyone is a winner. And if anyone deserves a good testimonial year it is Kerry Mayo.

 

[maffew]

Suggest it to him then Richie instead of airing it on Nsc,

Footballers have a short earning career . That is the whole purpose of a testimonial, to reward them and give them something to invest.

He lives near me and the houses around here are cheap compared to Brighton and surrounding area prices.

cue Morris post on ask the club

dont ask him to donate it to live & kicking you would look a complete and utter prick.

Its his f***ing testimonial for christs sake. This isnt the prem.

if even by your figures hes earned 1k a week for the last 10 years that aint that much money mate, certainly not enough to retire before 40, bet theres many people one here earning an amount not far from that

 

[fatboy]

I've read some poop in my time but some of this that I have just read takes the ULTIMATE biscuit.

I really dont know where you get your ideas from about the club and players.

Endorsments? Free cars? Are you being serious?!!!!! The players dont get any sort of sponsored cars, even complimentry tickets arent really for free cos they get taxed on them. Freebies dont exist unless you are a high profile name.

Rod Thomas got a sponsored car when we were at Gillingham.

I've still got the article in my scrapbook.

 

[fatboy]

I agree that MOST top players are more than over paid for what they do! I can understand that a lot of people believe most players earn a fortune and never have to work again, but in reality most just earn a living, and dont have mansions and top of the range cars!

I watched Footballers Cribs the other night and both me and Tank just sat there with gobs wide open at Ashley Ward's home and lifestyle! Ididnt even think he was that well known for a start! Its a totally different world!

Even 1.5-2k a week is a hell of a lot more than most people on here will ever earn.

In fact most people will never even earn £1000 a week. What is the average wage? Half that?

 

[Race]

Rod Thomas got a sponsored car when we were at Gillingham.

I've still got the article in my scrapbook.

Who and What are you going on about?

 

[fatboy]

Who and What are you going on about?

Rod Thomas. The peeople's player.

I will go and get the article.

 

[Kylies Stunt Arse]

Who and What are you going on about?

Rod Thomas played for us during the time we were groundsharing with the pikeys.

It has no relevence to this conversation as it was a different era for the club.

 

[Race]

Rod Thomas played for us during the time we were groundsharing with the pikeys.

It has no relevence to this conversation as it was a different era for the club.

Thought so!

 

[fatboy]

Rod Thomas played for us during the time we were groundsharing with the pikeys.

It has no relevence to this conversation as it was a different era for the club.

Still got a sponsored car, in our darkest era.

 

[Race]

Still got a sponsored car, in our darkest era.

Sponsored cars are not given out or owned by the football club themselves, they are usually outside companies who want the advertising, and anyway, they are still taxable luxuries so not completely free.

 

[London Irish]

Rod Thomas. The peeople's player.

I will go and get the article.

Have you got the article yet - we're dying to look at your scrapbook.

 

[rool]

Rod Thomas played for us during the time we were groundsharing with the pikeys.

It has no relevence to this conversation as it was a different era for the club.

It was relevent in as much as Race said 'The players dont get any sort of sponsored cars' and fatboy's example shows that was not always the case although Race was probably making reference to the present.

I would have thought a simple 'I don't know as that was before I had any involvement with Brighton' would have been a sufficient answer rather than the slighty more curt response he got which I thought was undeserved.