08/06/2026
⚽💰 9 things I hear every day as a financial adviser to footballers that 99% of advisers will never come across in their career.
Most advisers spend their day talking ISAs and workplace pension transfers. My world looks a bit different 👇
1️⃣ The PFPS — Professional Footballers Pension Scheme (Section 2011) 🏦
Players aren’t auto-enrolled. Most clubs don’t contribute.
Instead, the PFA puts in a set amount on their behalf. Accessible at 55 and some can even get it at 35 if they turned pro before a certain date.
2️⃣ No income protection, only career-ending cover 🩺
You can’t get standard income protection as a player. Only career-ending insurance that cover the event a bad injury stops you from playing professionally again.
The PFA also pay a lump sum if you can’t keep playing but individual career ending insurance can be an important one to have especially when your young with a long career ahead of you.
3️⃣ Players pay tax on their agent’s fees 😬
The fee isn’t the player’s income, but HMRC treats part of it as a benefit so they get taxed on it. Has to be factored into the planning.
4️⃣ Relegation, promotion and appearance clauses 📊
Same contract, different income. Salary can half or double depending on the division , appearance clauses on top make it even more interesting.
5️⃣ Image rights limited companies 🏢
Once sponsorship money starts coming in, we can set one up. Tax-efficient, and family members can come into it too.
6️⃣ The investment amounts are different gravy 📈
Not £1,000 a month into an ISA for 30 years. Try tens of thousands a month, over a 3–5 year contract window. Short timeframe, big numbers, completely different game.
7️⃣ “I’m on 20 grand” means weekly, not monthly 💷
Contracts are negotiated weekly. And the basic is just the start , appearance and win bonuses are hidden underneath. You’ve got to dig in.
8️⃣ Severance pay 📝
Contracts run 1st July to 30th June. Released at the end of seaso? The old club tops up your wages for an extra month if you sign somewhere on less.
9️⃣ Tax-free relocation ✈️
Switch clubs, get a relocation package :furnit
