Gloucester

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

You cant compare Footballers and Rugby players, there are a number of Footballers who earn in a week the sort of money Hazey is probably on annually. I agree that the old ideas behind a testimonial are now dead but for a one club stalwart who has consistently shown courage and whole hearted commitment on the pitch and loyalty and dedication off it I think it is hard to begrudge that kind of player a single penny. Having said that, I would not be at all surprised if some local charities found themselves benefitting from cheques signed 'A.Hazell'

Not a bad point ... I think the days of giving well-paid pros big tax-free sums is gone. By all means have games in their name, but how about the cash going to nominated charities, or even to youth development or scholarships? After all, nowadays not many retire and go on the breadline do they?

The recent Tom Smith testimonial game saw all its proceeeds going to charity, it was great to be able to say goodbye to a legend and also good to know it was helping out a local hospice and the Matt Hampson trust.

---

Photo Gallery

Tom Smith won a large number of caps as a Scotland international and is also a deserved British Lion and as such gained extra money from the SRFU and the Lions organisation at the time plus was able to ask for a bigger wage from Saints to reflect his status as a highly experienced player in a specialist position. Hazell was (wrongly) overlooked by England on a number of occasions so didnt have the same money coming in/future earning potential. Even if Hazey's testimonial year is a riproaring success, he is probably unlikely to earn more than a couple of hundred thousand. Whilst that sort of figure will do very nicely thank you, he is not going to live a life of luxury on it.

And he won't starve either. £200,000 is 10 or 15 years of work to some people.