The PFA strike is not about wealthy Premier Division players demanding an even bigger slice of the pie. A lot of footballers are working class people who have a sense of solidarity with other players. Collectively they produce millions for clubs across the UK and are - justifiably - demanding that the footballing authorities give them more money from the TV deals which are worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

The PFA strike is being villified by many within the UK establishment because it represents working people against the vested interests of business. This article - taken from the BBC's website - is clear and concise and sums up the key issues well:

We hear about major players, earning thousands of pounds a week, backing possible action - but how will it affect the lower leagues?

It's the players in the lower leagues that have the most to gain as funding would be to their benefit.

The PFA offers retraining to players when they finish their careers through the funding given to them from TV revenue.

Those players who are at the top of the game don't have to worry about their pensions or future.

Injuries are the main concern of lower league footballers as they can have financial consequences, as they may never play again."

Another more in-depth BBC article on the same subject:

In the last two years the PFA has spent around £23m on supporting its members - well in excess of its income.

That is why it says the money from television deals is so important.

While the association has other revenue sources, none of them compare with the cash they receive from the Premier League's TV deals.

Last year the PFA got around £8.8m from the Premier League, roughly 5%, of the negotiated deal.

This year however, and despite a record £1.65bn TV contract, the PFA are set to get around £5.2m, or around 1%.

Brendon Batson, the PFA's, deputy chief executive, says the offer is insulting.

"That television money is the association's lifeblood," he said.

"Yes we have other revenue streams but none of them compare with what we get from television rights."

The money received by the association goes into three specific areas.

* Paying wages: This could involve making mortgage repayments or paying loans, but another large part of the pot also goes to clubs who can't afford to pay their players wages.

"In the past, clubs including Derby, Middlesbrough and Charlton have all benefitted from this fund," Batson pointed out.

Former stars, like Tommy Smith and Sunderland's goalkeeping hero of the 1972 FA Cup Jim Montgomery still receive ongoing support for their injuries.

* Benefits: Coventry's David Buust has seen the benefit of the PFA.

The badly broken leg he received in a clash with Manchester United's Dennis Irwin in 1996 ended his career.

He said: "When I was told I would not play again it was at that point that I thought, well hang on, I've got a wife and kids and a mortgage where do I go from here.

"It is then that you finally realise the benefits of the PFA.

"They supported me while I was receiving treatment and then helped me through college, to get my coaching qualifications.

"It is your biggest fear knowing your main source of income is gone, but they offered me the reassurance that everything would be OK."


* Education: Many current and former players are also assisted through university and on coaching courses.

Batson is quick to point out that it is not the multi-millionaires of the game who need support from the world's oldest sporting union.

"Quite the contrary, 75% of our membership are those not playing in the top flight who barely earn the minimum wage, and it is these players who the top guys are supporting."

For this reason, many of the country's top players are right behind the association, including the likes of Manchester United, Ryan Giggs.

"Every footballer has friends who have suffered through injury, not made it as a professional and gone on to coaching or physio work," he said.