Denaby United Oppose £80 Maximum Wage Bill Plan

January 1965

South Yorkshire Times January 30th 1965

Denaby United Oppose £80 Maximum Wage Bill Plan

The introduction of a maximum gross wage structure among Midland League clubs could result in corruption, a Denaby United official told the “South Yorkshire Times” this week.
The statement was made after a motion put before a meeting of league clubs at Worksop by Ilkeston Town. The proposal, it is understood, was for a maximum total team wage of £80 a week, with a win bonus of £1 as the only incentive.

But Denaby United chairman Mr. Eddie Langford told me: “Denaby United are of the opinion that the question of a wage structure is a domestic affair. After all, what right have we to interfere in another club’s internal arrangements?

Corruption fear

“The suggestion of a maximum wage structure would mean that the big clubs in the league, the ones who are heading the league year after year, with highly paid players, would have to come down to the level of the smaller clubs. This could possibly result in corruption, and could ultimately break up the league, and nobody wants that.”

It is understood that at the Midland League meeting, the proposal to introduce a maximum wage system was defeated 15 votes to 4.