What is a Soccer Testimonial Match?
TESTIMONIAL MATCH DEFINITION: A soccer Testimonial Match or Testimonial Game (or simply a Testimonial) is the tradition of a professional soccer club to host a game that honors a retiring player for his (or her ) service and significant contributions to the futbol club. Not every player receives a Testimonial Match. In fact, a Testimonial Game is a rare occasion reserved only for standout professional players who have distinguished themselves, particularly through a length of service beyond 10 years.
What is the purpose of a Testimonial Match?
While the purpose of a Testimonial Match is an opportunity for player to honor the fans and club, it is also an opportunity for the fans and soccer club to honor the retiring player. Additionally, for soccer clubs where compensation may have not have served as the player’s primary source of income and retirement savings may have been nonexistent, the traditional Testimonial Game was perhaps born more of necessity. At such clubs, the Testimonial Match has effectively served as a fundraiser for the player’s retirement, as the proceeds from game attendance is awarded to the player. And because of the great honor associated with Testimonial Matches, fan attendance is generally high.
Testimonial Match Format
The Testimonial Game is generally are non-competitive and friendly in nature. Though, that doesn’t necessarily mean they lack grit and excitement. Players from each team can be a mix of past and present rivals as well as teammates of the honoree. And the honored player can often play a half for each team.
Testimonial Examples
“A player’s testimonial can be very rewarding financially,” wrote Irish footballer Roy Keane in his autobiography, The Second Half. “But I think it’s the tradition that makes it such a big day. You’re thanking the fans, and they’re thanking you. It was a chance for me to say goodbye to the (Manchester) United fans – a huge incentive for me.”
Kean, who played as a midfielder for the Republic of Ireland National Team as well as Nottingham Forest, played much of his career for the English Premier League club Manchester United, where he earned 326 appearances and 33 goals from 1993 to 2005. He retired while playing in the Scottish Premiership for the The Celtic Football Club from 2005–2006, earning 10 appearances and one goal. As such, his Testimonial Match was hosted at Old Trafford, where Manchester United beat Celtic FC 1-0 amid a crowd of 69,591 fans.
Manchester United has also hosted Testimonial Matches for such players as Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick.
