Burgeoning interest inevitably meant that football was no longer simply sport and entertainment but also big business. Some of the top clubs started to show extremely healthy balance sheets, and it wasn’t long before players began to demand a bigger slice of the cake. In April 1901 a new maximum wage of ?4 a week was introduced. This compared favourably with other skilled tradesmen of the day, but players began to recognise their worth and started to express dissatisfaction. Matters came to a head in 1907 with the formation of a Players’ Union. The league and FA were worried about footballers becoming organised, possibly even affiliating to the Trades Union movement. They threatened to impose a ban on players who took up union membership. Manchester United star Billy Meredith was one of a vociferous group unwilling to be browbeaten. While many players lost their nerve and fell into line, Meredith led a group of players who threatened to withdraw all their labour. Prior to the 1909-10 season they began training independently under the banner of The Outcasts. Just before the season got under way the authorities caved in. The maximum wage was subsequently increased to ?5 a week. The principle of player power was established.
World History
