Cyrille Regis warns players may soon be earning minimum wage salaries
MIDLAND professional footballers could soon have to eke out a living at little more than the minimum wage – as the recession catches up with the game.
The warning by former Villa, Baggies and Coventry star-turned-agent Cyrille Regis comes as several clubs appear to be struggling financially and chairmen are preparing to axe players to balance the books.
Regis, who also played for Wolves and won five caps for England, said it was becoming increasingly difficult to find clubs for players.
And he predicted that lower league sides would be looking to trim their squads this summer.
The credit crunch could leave some stars earning the equivalent of the £5.73 per hour national base salary – the same as a waiter or shop worker, claimed ex-striker Regis.
“We’re getting to a position where there will be some players who are faced with a decision to play for £250 or £300 a week or looking for another career,” he said.
“The problem is that 90 per cent of all the cash in football is in the Premier League. Thankfully, I’ve only got one or two players who are out of contract at the end of this season and I’m confident of getting them deals, but it’s getting harder.”
The FA Cup winner suggested smaller clubs could axe current pros and turn to rich clubs for help including loaning young players.
