EV2 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division
Step 7 clubs should be banned from paying players as it is dangerous for the future of grassroots men’s football, according to Wombwell Main manager Terry Simon.
The amount of money being splashed around Step 7 this summer is the talk of the local grassroots scene in Barnsley.
For the County Senior League – a competition which prides itself on being a league for players who want to play for the love of the game – it could not have come at a worse time.
From the 44 clubs who were part of the 2021-22 league constitution, five have folded – including long-standing members Millmoor Juniors, Sheffield Lane Top, New Bohemians and Worsbrough Common – due to a lack of players.
Forty-one teams will compete this season and Simon says the influx of cash for players is bad news for his level of football.
“I think it is dangerous (for Step 7 football),” Simon told Non League Yorkshire.
“There is a substantial number of clubs who pay money (to players) and it is more apparent that there is than it was two years ago.
“I think if young lads who are getting nothing (for playing) are offered £20 (by other Step 7 clubs) and that money dries up or they leave that club, these lads won’t want to go back to paying subs or playing for nothing as they’ll be now used to getting the £20.
“I think paying players should be banned at Step 7 and I would like to think our league committee would say to a club who is ‘you’re a grassroots club, you shouldn’t be paying’.
“Paying players at Step 7 is not sustainable for a long period of time, in my opinion, and it will affect the ability of (Step 7) clubs to attract players in the long run.
“All I can see it having a negative long-term effect on the clubs and the league involved.
“I’ve not paid any player in 32 years in senior football, not one pence.
“It doesn’t sit comfortably with me when some people are getting paid £50 and they are playing at the side of someone who is playing for the love of the game.”
Simon also believes a further issue is that some players like to use playing for £20 as a status symbol.
“When I see people I haven’t seen for a while I’ll say ‘you do you play for’ and they’ll say ‘I’m semi-pro’,” he said.
“They don’t name the team.
“I think the fact that people are offering £20’s, I think a lot of it is down to player’s egos because they want to say they play semi-pro.
“Just having that badge of honour of saying ‘I”m semi-pro’ is a big thing for some.”
If you’re a Wombwell fan or an admirer of Simon’s sides, you’re in for a treat this weekend.
You could almost spend the whole week with Simon as his men are in action three times in the next week.
Wombwell host Lord Brinsworth FC in the Montague Cup quarter-final tie on Sunday (kick off 11am).
Main then entertain Oughtibridge War Memorial in the League Cup on Tuesday night (kick off 6.30pm). The tie has been switched to Wombwell.
The football feast concludes with Thursday’s Darcy Cup battle.
Terry is spot on we are in danger of losing clubs who cannot pay and teams who do buying the titles.
We must have that level playing field, to maintain a honest grass roots league.
Totally agree, grassroots clubs are exactly that and its creeping into the game more and more. Loads of teams have gone in the last year from many leagues.
Terry you’re bang on this has been happening for years and everyone has closed their eyes and ears . It’s not only players egos but managers who promise clubs the world if they pay .
This starts at the top with weak leadership , it could and should have been stopped but fear steps in to influence decisions.
I’ll not get on my soap box as I could go on about paying and loyalty at this level ,but if left where will it end has to be the next question
It is banned and always has been, a clear lack of understanding around the rules and regulations
Players From even low level than 7 have been paid for years.
It’s part and parcel of what’s been happening for 50 years so nothing new