Star Exhibits
11. The oldest player’s professional contract from 1890. The contract includes details of the player’s pay differing in summer and winter.
In the old days, free from FIFA licensed agents – the clubs flexed considerable power over their employees, and at the end of each season, the board of directors reviewed the capabilities of the playing staff and those fortunate to be retained were offered a standard 12-month contract.
The Collection contains 20 examples of the standard contracts drafted by the Football League and used by Everton from 1890 - 1975. The oldest Contract shows that Daniel Kirkwood, a future Club director, earned £2.50 in 1890, but of course, weekly wages increased during that period! Ted Critchley for example received £8 in 1926, Gordon Watson £9 in 1946, Tommy Wright £13 in 1964 and Roger Kenyon £170 plus £20 first-team bonus in 1977.
In contrast to Kenyon’s healthy sum, the Collection contains a 1936 contract for a young Joe Mercer, showing that Mercer received £8 during the playing season, but only £6 per week during the months of June, July and August!
