11/05/24
May 18, 2004
Ask Spofi: can somebody tell me what I need to know about testimonial games so that I can sound smart? Does the home team ever lose or is it proper etiquette for the visiting team to put on a good show without winning?
posted by gspm to navel gazing at 10:41 AM - 4 comments
It's usually for the benefit of a long serving player, obviously, that don't happen as often as it did decades ago, when one club players were common. It was like a little pension for players who pre 1960's were treated like serfs. I think they are, or were, tax free. They are a bit of an anomaly these days, as most high profile players earn more in a week than most fans do in a year, so some might see it as a bit of a chuffin cheek. Interestingly, a couple of years ago Niall Quinn donated all the proceeds of his testimonial to a childrens ward at a Dublin hospital. Testimonials are also played, sometimes, if a favoured son has fallen upon hard times, but the traditional reason is to commemorate 10 years service to one club.
posted by Fat Buddha at 12:50 PM on May 18, 2004
I believe that under the terms negotiated by the PFA, a player is entitled to a testimonial if he stays at a club for 10 years. As the overweight icon said, it's a bit of an anomoly in this day and age. Even 10 years ago, players retiring at 35 would need to worry about what they would do after football. Today, no Premiership player will have to work again.
posted by salmacis at 06:45 PM on May 18, 2004
I kind got the idea that testimonials were for significant players, certain departing stars, anniversaries and whatnot. I guess never having seen one I wondered about the significance of the 6-0 scoreline in the Martin Keown game. i haven't read too much about the match but it made me wonder if the visiting all star team was just there to put on a show or if they honestly were beat by such a score. I guess the oposition was a rag tag bunch and not an actual team per se and thus not indicative of say the likely outcome of the upcoming Celtic v Seville Henrik Larsson testimonial.
posted by gspm at 05:00 AM on May 19, 2004
Depends on the game and the opposition. Fans don't expect to see a full blooded affair but they do want to be entertained. You normally get a near full strength team at the start of the game but nuerous substitutions in the second half, including former players. If a lower league team plays a Premier team then the lower team fans will want to see the stars/big names. That help?