After a club chairman made a huge mistake, a former England international unexpectedly won a massive 680% pay boost.
Seth Johnson played for Leeds United and Derby County in the Premier League, making 121 games overall. He had 14 assists and five goals.
He played 73 games in the top level after rising through the ranks at Crewe Alexandra before joining Derby in 1999.
Johnson, a one-cap England international, was signed by Leeds in 2001 for an estimated £7 million, but the contract discussions reportedly revealed how poorly the Yorkshire team was being managed at the time.
According to reports, the central midfielder was earning about £5,000 per week at Derby. He informed his agency that he was demanding £13,000 per week in order to move to Leeds.
According to legend, Peter Ridsdale, the chairman of Leeds, informed Johnson’s agent, “I’ve had a shocking week, and the best I can offer you is £30,000 a week.”
It is then said that Ridsdale misjudged the agent’s response and increased his offer to £37,000 per week, making him the second-highest paid player in the league.
Ridsdale reportedly said that Johnson was paid “at least £10,000-a-week less” and denied that he received such large salaries.
When Leeds recruited Johnson, they were leading the league, but their financial problems got out of hand.
Johnson was reportedly unable to play because of a stipulation in his contract that required them to pay Derby £250,000 for every 15 appearances he made. He was also so injured that he only played 53 times in four years.
Johnson weighs in on the speculations around the Leeds contract.
In an interview with Planet Football, Johnson discussed the notorious story of his transfer to Leeds, saying he first learnt about it via his agent and wasn’t there for any contract negotiations.
Additionally, he emphasised that money was not a significant consideration for him.
I wasn’t even present when they discussed contract talks,” he stated, according to The Mirror.
“I had nothing to do with the contract.
“I recall being home when it was resolved. My agent called and informed me of the agreement, even though I had already consented to travel.
“I wasn’t driven by financial gain. I had just signed a new contract and had enjoyed a couple of years at Derby, so I was making a respectable salary nevertheless. However, at the time, Leeds was near the top of the league, Derby was at the bottom, and I knew many of the boys there. As a result, Derby opted to sell me because they wanted the money.
Before he retired from football at the age of 28 because to ongoing knee issues, Johnson rejoined Derby on a free transfer and helped them win the 2007 play-off final and return to the Premier League.
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