Last week saw a team of semi pro and amateur players take the field at a packed Millennium Stadium when Uruguay took on Wales in the RWC. It is moments like these that bring a touch of romance to this wonderful game of ours. Imagine what this meant to those 23 Uruguayans, probably the only time in their life that they will perform in front of 80,000 spectators. The sacrifices that had been made by these guys also brought a lump to the throat. Many had to give up their jobs or take unpaid leave to be able to prepare and then take part in this tournament. The fact that they chose to just shows how much it meant to them.

Although on the receiving end of predictable beating by the full time professionals of Wales they acquitted themselves with honour and it certainly was not the walkover you might expect. Every guy or gal who has pulled on a shirt to play could certainly empathise with these lads who proudly represented their country. In other circumstances they will think, it could have been me.

In the end the difference, of course was that of full time, conditioned and drilled pro’s against part timers who largely play for the enjoyment of it. At the level of the World Cup it clearly makes a difference. But coming done to our level where we have a league with a mixture of semi pro and purely amateur teams, is the difference that pronounced? Are the guys who pick up their brown envelopes on a Saturday after the game noticeably different to the guys who don’t? If not, then why do clubs at our level pay players?

To a large extent it is to entice players from other clubs in order to make their team stronger and thereby achieve some ambition or other. (ie we want to be a Championship outfit). It is a short cut. An easy option if you have the money. But remember if a player will come to you for money, he will also go somewhere else for the same reason. Equally every pound that goes into the pocket of a player is a pound less that is invested in the club’s infrastructure or the junior teams where your players should come from. If you are a well-run club that generates a regular income stream and is profitable, it may be justifiable. But if it is built upon transient sponsors whose generosity is dependent upon their business success or otherwise, then it’s a precarious place to be.

Those Uruguayan players would have crawled over hot coals for the opportunity they had last weekend and they left every ounce of energy on that Millennium pitch. Did they try any less than their well-paid opposition? Of course not. But then professionalism is not always about money, it is about attitude of mind and sacrifice. If it takes money to produce that for you, then fine. But any self-respecting serious player will give it all he has whether his palm is crossed with silver or not.

If you lined up the best players in National League 3 Midlands you would find a mix of guys, some of whom are paid some who are not. Without knowing, could you tell the difference? If not, then why are you putting your hard earned into these guys?