Before agents and TV mega-rights ushered in multimillionaire players, footballers’ wages were capped with even the game's biggest names earning barely more than a plumber or electrician. Footballing legends such as Tom Finney and Stanley Matthews shared a bond of borderline penury with the crowds they entertained on Saturday afternoons, on pitches that were far away from the pristine lawns of the modern era. Instead of the sports cars driven by today's top players, the stars of yesteryear travelled to matches on public transport and returned to homes as modest as those of their supporters.

Based on the first-hand accounts, When Footballers Were Skint delves into the game's rich heritage and relates the fascinating story of a great sporting era.