Could someone please explain what a testimonial is? I have read about them on the boards, but have no knowledge of what they are. I have heard of of Giggs' and Niall Quinn's. Also what does it have to do with money, I read something about Quinn giving his money to charity or something like that? Thanks
I'm pretty sure they're one special arranged match, in which the proceeds of the game go to a certain player. Probably to reward the player for his services for the club or something.
Pretty much. They often have one for you if you're retiring, but iirc, it was Ryan Giggs' 10th year since he started playing with the senior side.
The word testimonial comes from the same root as the word testify. The word has it's orgins in the Arab world ( I forget exactly where ) from the practice of swearing to something while holding your testicles much in the way one might do while putting your hand on the Bible or holding your hand up in other regions. You can look it up!
It all stems from the times before players were paid the silly money they get now. The purpose of the testamonial was to 1)recognise a certain player's loyalty and hardwork - 10 years with the same club is the given figure and 2) as a portion of the gate money from the game was given to the player - it was meant to act as a little nest egg for later life after football, as after 10 years playing, his career would be drawing to a close. However nowadays, this second section can be overlooked by those at the top - getting £40,000 per week kind of saw to that. So basically it's just the recognition thing at the end of the day, as far as I'm aware.
Bob Taylor had one at the Albion last week, 16,000 people turned up which ain't bad fr a testimonial so he netted about £160,000 - nice little earner! Personally, i don't agree with em, why should players who earn thousands a week be given a nice payday after ten years of loyalty when fans who give a lifetime of loyalty and don't get paid get nothin but ************ on all the time?
Yes, but not all player make that kind of dough. At Palace they had one for Dean Austin this pre-season against Spurs, who he had played for before. Just a tribute to a players loyalty and hard work...
Dean Austin is one of the worst players I have ever seen. He deserves one for all the stick he must have taken over the years.