No More Free Rides For Sheffield Wednesday

By: chris | October 30th, 2008

(I cringed at the headline too.)

There are a certain number of things profession athletes can count on: money, a certain degree of fame, lots of free clothes, and not having to pony up for commutes on “official business”. That is, unless you play for Sheffield Wednesday.

Financial times are tough, and it’s not exclusive to the hoi polloi. Football clubs are being hit as well, and Sheffield Wednesday is no exception, which is also no surprise. Not exactly a gigantic club and one riddled with debts (£28m worth), they survive by spending the smart pound here or there. So when the players asked to change their weekend travel plans to Crystal Palace from a bus ride to a train ride, the directors said “fine, but you’re paying”.

Even with the credit crunch, the £30 coming out of each player’s pocket is a drop in the bucket, provided they haven’t been burning their income with poorly placed bets and criminally expensive hookers. Most importantly, though, their reasoning is very, very sound. This is far from a case of primadonna athletes mandating their travel accommodations feature a bevy of the finest bubblies and an all-you-can-eat caviar buffet.

The bus trip takes 6 hours and a stopover, the train cuts travel time in half, and eliminates delays caused by traffic, weather or a drunken waitress plowing into the side of the bus while talking on her cell and using Monet-esque brushstrokes to put on her makeup (though I suppose there’s nothing to stop her from plowing into a train at a crossing, so there goes that theory). In short, it ensures they’re rested and ready for the upcoming battle with Crystal Palace.

But it’s still £30 more than you think an athlete - even one in the second division - would be forced to pay for their own trip to work. Then again, maybe other clubs burdened by massive debts should consider the same. I’d love to see someone tell Rio Ferdinand or Cristiano Ronaldo they’re flying economy class to Heathrow for a West Ham fixture. “And Cristiano? It’s going to be a little extra to check that makeup bag. Thanks love.”