Forget Stand Free in Aberdeen. It’s Play Free after Jonny Hayes ’ ‘incredible’ gesture sealed a Pittodrie return.
Well, maybe not quite play for free but agreeing to defer his wages for a year is still a brilliant move that should be applauded.
The Irishman has often spoken of his love of horse racing so maybe he banked a few quid on the gee-gees after a successful Royal Ascot.
Hayes won’t be short of a bob or two either after spending the last three years at Celtic following his £1million switch from the north-east three years ago.
But regardless of his personal wealth he still deserves great credit considering he probably had more lucrative options.
Hayes spoke of his desire to spend more time with his wife and kids was the priority over finances as he returned to the Granite City where they settled so well when he joined the Dons from Inverness in 2012.
Derek McInnes rightly lauded the 32-year-old, saying: “This deal wouldn’t have got done without Jonny making the sacrifice he’s made. Footballers get a bad rap at times but what’s he’s done is incredible.”
But Hayes is one of the exceptions in stepping forward to volunteer to do his bit to help out with clubs in the grip of a financial Covid-19 crisis.
And more should be considering following in his footsteps when it comes to making some sort of sacrifice when supporters are being forced to do the same.
Fans have been big losers at a time when many have been furloughed, faced wage cuts or even worse, found themselves out of work. Most Premiership season-ticket holders missed out on around four home games for the 2019/20 campaign after it was stopped in March.
Rangers were due to host Celtic just as the league was halted with the final meeting of the rivals scheduled to take place after the split. At £50 a pop for a match ticket it is the biggest value fixture on the season ticket and fans of both clubs were denied the chance to see the two clashes.
That’s before you throw in the three other games – Gers also still had a home game against St Johnstone to be rearranged – which would have left fans more than £100 out of pocket.
Old Firm fans were entitled to a refund. Rangers season-ticket holders were also offered the alternative of a £25 voucher which could be reinvested in the club.
But the message from most clubs to fans was always if they could then leaving the money with the club would help strengthen the team. And that was the thinking behind many opting out of asking for their cash back. If they want to see Alfredo Morelos or Odsonne Edouard running out next season then maybe better to leave it.
The irony is if those two do stay then the likelihood is fans will be watching them from the comfort of their own home with the virtual season tickets. Again, the paying punter losing out with no reduction for the experience.
So if the man on the street is having to make sacrifices at this critical time why shouldn’t well-remunerated footballers follow suit?
