Former Liverpool Striker John Aldridge Reveals 1960s Player Wages: A Look at How Times Have Changed
Elite footballers today are known for earning millions of pounds each year, but it wasn’t always that way. The introduction of the Premier League in 1992 marked a turning point for the English game, bringing in big money and commercial growth. Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge recently shared an old wage slip from August 1960 on Twitter, shedding light on just how different things were back then.
Aldridge’s tweet included a caption that read, “I’m having a clear-out and found this! The LFC squad wages 1960. How times have changed folks. Top Respect for these fantastic players who helped put the club where it is.”
The wage slip, which is over six decades old, reveals some fascinating figures. The top earners at the time, including record appearance holder Ian Callaghan, earned just £23 per week. Other notable players like Alan A’Court, Gerry Byrne, Dave Hickson, Roger Hunt, and Ronnie Moran also fell into this salary bracket. Legendary winger Billy Liddell earned slightly less at £20 per week.
Even the backroom staff, including future managers Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan, earned modest wages of £16 and £17 per week respectively. While Bill Shankly’s wage isn’t specified on the sheet, it is safe to assume that it was in line with the top earners.
It’s difficult to determine the modern-day value of these wages due to inflation rates. However, according to the Office for National Statistics, the average weekly earnings for a male in manual work during that time were around £14.
Comparing these figures to the present day is staggering. Liverpool’s current top earner, Mohamed Salah, reportedly earns £350,000 per week, which is over 15,000 times more than what Ian Callaghan earned in 1960.
The evolution of football as a lucrative profession is evident when looking at the drastic difference in player wages over the years. Today, top-level football is seen as a significant source of income for professionals, but it wasn’t always the case.