Terry Would Play For Nothing

[davieG]

Well instead of saying it, prove it. Get all the squad to player for nothing in all future England games, I dare you.

Skipper John Terry admits he would "play for England for nothing".

Terry and his international team-mates have been accused of showing no pride when representing England.

But the Chelsea defender described the criticism from fans as an "insult".

"It really is an insult to hear people saying we don't care," said Terry ahead of Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 clash with Andorra.

"When you're out there on the pitch and trying to do everything you can and you hear something like that, it really gets to you.

"Take the money away and every single player in this squad would want to be involved in the next game. I would play for England for nothing.

"Of course, the money is fantastic but when I was a youngster coming through I played for nothing and my attitude hasn't changed since then.

"Take the money away and I would still be the first player into training the following morning."

England players were the targets of angry fans and sections of the media after Saturday's goalless draw with Israel, but Terry insists he is 100 per cent committed to playing for his country.

"People should know how I feel about playing for England. I get excited when I'm packing my bags before I come away with the squad. That's how much it means to me," he added.

"There's nothing that gives me more pride or my family than pulling on that England shirt - and it's the same for every player.

"When people disrespect that and say that when I'm away with England I'm still thinking about Chelsea, that's certainly not the case.

"When I'm back at the club that's all I think about and when I'm with England my mind is 100 per cent on the job in hand."

[Flexx]

They get paid to play for England? Is this a joke or something

[00rawat]

They get paid to play for England? Is this a joke or something

Amazeing ain't it I did not know that an till my mate told me.If had the chance to play for my country I would play for nothing.

[Geo V]

They get paid to play for England? Is this a joke or something

Its madness isnt it???

The England players should donate that money to charity but they`ll tell us that they give huge sums to charity anyway.

I can understand bonuses of you win a major event but these footballers get paid too much already and they dont need money to play for England. The FA should pump the money into grass roots footy or something.

[Flexx]

I thought they just got paid by their clubs, I can't believe they only play for their country because of the money.

I'm sure Terry would play for nothing, but the likes of Ferdinand, Cole, Lampard, Rooney definitely wouldn't. It never even crossed my mind that they get paid to play for their country

Idiots

[Daggers]

I think all their money should go straight to charity.

They should get a cap and that's it.

[Guest Gist]

Its madness isnt it???

The England players should donate that money to charity but they`ll tell us that they give huge sums to charity anyway.

I can understand bonuses of you win a major event but these footballers get paid too much already and they dont need money to play for England. The FA should pump the money into grass roots footy or something.

Good points.

Imagine the amount of youngsters that could potentially come through if they were given the funding for equipment and facilities. This could then go back into helping them develop to become possible futre England internationals themselves.

[00rawat]

I thought they just got paid by their clubs, I can't believe they only play for their country because of the money.

I'm sure Terry would play for nothing, but the likes of Ferdinand, Cole, Lampard, Rooney definitely wouldn't. It never even crossed my mind that they get paid to play for their country

Idiots

Yep this is the sad world some footballers live in.

[lildave3]

To be fair i'm sure all of them would play for their country for nothing. If the FA offer a fair amount of money, you're hardly going to turn it down are you?

[lookwhaticando]

To be fair i'm sure all of them would play for their country for nothing. If the FA offer a fair amount of money, you're hardly going to turn it down are you?

If the players are as principled, proud and patriotic as Captain Terry is trying to stress, then they should turn it down in favour of pay only for success - to at least prove a point, if nothing else.

They get paid incredible amounts of money by their clubs ('cept perhaps Downing, who's too shit to be on the same serious money as the rest of the squad) - they don't need the FA to pay them even more for a couple of fixtures here and there.

If Terry means what he says, perhaps he and the squad should prove it by accepting no financial gain from their time in an England shirt unless they do something worthwhile. I shall not be best pleased if the players go around bleating "I would play for nothing" while they continue to get their pay-packets and fail to qualify for a major tournament.

Actually... I reckon that the players should surrender all the money they earn on England duty to England fans in the event that they fail to qualify for Euro 2008. It could be called the "fund for people with fook all to do in June 2008 thanks to a bunch of lazy arsed coonts who couldn't even beat Israel".

[lcfc_jme]

I'd play football for Leicester for nothing, so I guess that means I wouldn't even consider asking for a fee to represent my country. These professional footballers just don't realise how lucky they are. I bet Terry still takes home a pay-packet from Englands game tonight.

[00rawat]

I'd play football for Leicester for nothing, so I guess that means I wouldn't even consider asking for a fee to represent my country These professional footballers just don't realise how lucky they are. I bet Terry still takes home a pay-packet from Englands game tonight.

That the same thing that I would do mate.

[hairy]

Playing at International level can only add to their value at club level which means they can demand more money from clubs. They win both ways. They should not be paid for it unless the clubs dont pay them when they are away with England, in which case its more compensation than pay. I still would not take the money though. Give it to the grass roots clubs. Surprised the FA can aford to pay anyone considering how much the f@#k up the Wembely costs.

[Bryn]

WTF? Players get money to play for England??

Utter bullshit, I'm quite disgusted. I never knew that before.

[DB11]

Only cos he gets paid so much for Chelsea.

[lildave3]

I remember my disgust when i first started playing football for a team at about 7 or 8. I was asked to give some money and i was shocked because i was expecting to get paid for playing football, not to have to pay for it.

[Webbo]

Good points.

Imagine the amount of youngsters that could potentially come through if they were given the funding for equipment and facilities. This could then go back into helping them develop to become possible futre England internationals themselves.

i'm not argueing with the principle of this thread, but i wonder what difference more money at grass roots would achieve. the most skillfull footballers in the world these days seem to be peasants from africa or south america. when i was a kid all we had was a plastic football between us, i can't see what else you need.

[Guest Gist]

i'm not argueing with the principle of this thread, but i wonder what difference more money at grass roots would achieve. the most skillfull footballers in the world these days seem to be peasants from africa or south america. when i was a kid all we had was a plastic football between us, i can't see what else you need.

Well you could use the money to produce more qualified coaches who can then set up training sessions at local schools or centres where kids can play. Giving kids the facilities can then get them focusing on their football and with the correct coaching they stand a better chance of making it proffesional.

[davieG]

i'm not argueing with the principle of this thread, but i wonder what difference more money at grass roots would achieve. the most skillfull footballers in the world these days seem to be peasants from africa or south america. when i was a kid all we had was a plastic football between us, i can't see what else you need.

Football pitches, so anything that stops Councils & schools selling off their playing fields would be a start and yes I know you can play pretty much anywhere but that's hardly the point. Also some coaches that haven't read Les Reed's blueprint for football wouldn't go amiss.

Edited to add the FA could use the money to complete the National School of Excellence at Burton that they abandon in order to pay for the extravagance that is Wembley

[Head Honcho]

The FA get paid plenty by the TV firms so why shouldn't the players be paid?

The world cup squad of 66 would have been lucky to get a grand each but there was no tv money then and the money they get now is only relative to the increase in tv money.

[lookwhaticando]

Also some coaches that haven't read Les Reed's blueprint for football wouldn't go amiss.

That's a problem I'd love to be sorted.

An end to a slick production line churning out thousands of "qualified" coaches on a yearly basis.

Managers who are trained almost entirely in media management and bog-standard tactics (four at the back, four in the middle, two up front... the players near the back kick the ball to the players at the front who then score... sorted). The media management section of the course is the easiest bit... any old plank could sit in front of a room full of people and say "we weren't at the races" and the like.

The FA get paid plenty by the TV firms so why shouldn't the players be paid?

The world cup squad of 66 would have been lucky to get a grand each but there was no tv money then and the money they get now is only relative to the increase in tv money.

The issue is, people perceive these players to be work-shy feckwads who turn up just for the handsome pay.

Now the players are attempting to defend themselves, saying they would play for nothing but the chance to earn a cap for the national side.

It's all good and well saying you'd play for nothing... but until they prove that they're willing, people will continue to think they're just taking the piss.

I'm not one for begrudging people a pay-day for a good honest day's work... but at present, you'd be hard pressed to describe what this England side has demonstrated in the last four or five games as "good", "honest" or "work".

Actions speak louder than words, boys, and if you're really willing to show us you're willing to play for nothing, why not arrange a deal with the FA whereby your bank balance is only augmented when you produce the goods required to meet certain goals.

Performance related pay - not just for senior executives.

[vanfox12]

That's a problem I'd love to be sorted.

An end to a slick production line churning out thousands of "qualified" coaches on a yearly basis.

Managers who are trained almost entirely in media management and bog-standard tactics (four at the back, four in the middle, two up front... the players near the back kick the ball to the players at the front who then score... sorted). The media management section of the course is the easiest bit... any old plank could sit in front of a room full of people and say "we weren't at the races" and the like.

The issue is, people perceive these players to be work-shy feckwads who turn up just for the handsome pay.

Now the players are attempting to defend themselves, saying they would play for nothing but the chance to earn a cap for the national side.

It's all good and well saying you'd play for nothing... but until they prove that they're willing, people will continue to think they're just taking the piss.

I'm not one for begrudging people a pay-day for a good honest day's work... but at present, you'd be hard pressed to describe what this England side has demonstrated in the last four or five games as "good", "honest" or "work".

Actions speak louder than words, boys, and if you're really willing to show us you're willing to play for nothing, why not arrange a deal with the FA whereby your bank balance is only augmented when you produce the goods required to meet certain goals.

Performance related pay - not just for senior executives.

To be fair if they weren't professional footballers they'd be in crummy jobs and having a moan on forums like these with the rest of us.