Testimonial match

A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, particularly in football in the United Kingdom, where a club has a match to honour a player for service to the club.

Clubs typically grant testimonials to players upon reaching ten years of service with a club, although they sometimes are given to players with less service under particular circumstances such as approaching retirement. These matches are always non-competitive. Typically, the club invites (depending on the career of the honoree) football players that can be retired from the club or current or retired players from other clubs to participate in the match or with the associated festivities. All proceeds from the match go to the player which depending on the applicable country laws may be tax-free.

History

The practice started at a time when player compensation, even those at top professional clubs, was at a level that made it difficult to maintain it as a primary form of employment therefore retirement savings might not exist. These matches are generally well-attended and the gesture by the club can give the honoree income that enables a retirement income base or enable the honoree an opportunity to establish themselves in other employment when they finished playing. This is still the main objective of testimonials in Australia and some other countries.