Contracts

It is important to understand what player contract documents mean for you - before you agree and sign them. A standard employment contract is provided for professional and semi-professional women footballers playing full- or part-time. This puts the commitments of clubs and players on record and is legally-binding.

Typically, it will include the term or duration of your contract (its start and end-dates); the pay on offer to you (by week or month) and any benefits (like accommodation provided). There are also the usual employment contract clauses explaining commitments you and your club have agreed to, such as treating the agreement as confidential; as well as club-related activities, like club marketing you agree to support.

Often the level of pay is the most important factor for a player, but sometimes other conditions are equally vital to get right. For example, the inclusion by a club of an option clause to extend a contract by a further term is considered by some players as a good protection for the future; but others might see it as somewhat restrictive and ask for more favourable terms before agreeing.

As the women’s game becomes more professional, clauses can be added to the employment contract such as goal bonuses or clean sheet bonuses. And elite player contracts may include transfer-related conditions like release clauses or sell-on fees

Players in professional and semi-professional leagues should understand the commitments they make to a club, and the club makes to them. These commitments are set out in contracts which should reflect player and club expectations.

Player contracts are standardised, uniform documents but everyone is different and needs different levels of support getting the best deal.

Negotiating your player contract with your current or future club is a process that can be managed by you. We have long experience of how to handle negotiations which we will share with you for your benefit now and in the future.