The former player earned 500 appearances in football for Sunderland, Sheffield United, Wolves, and Stoke City, although his final deal was for a meagre salary.
Jody Craddock, a former Wolves defender, disclosed the startlingly low salary he received throughout his playing career.
The 48-year-old played for the Midlands team for ten seasons at Molineux, amassing over 230 games. He had been signed for a one-year contract back in 2012, but he never played for the team.
However, via his involvement with the academy, Craddock was able to help the younger Wolves players at the time. He was mostly granted a one-year extension so that he could participate in a testimonial in 2014, and now he’s been granted a glimpse into his last year.
On the In the Stiffs podcast, which is hosted by former Wolves player David Edwards, Craddock disclosed, “They signed me on £90 a week.”
“I believe that was the lowest salary a football player could receive. That, I believe, was the case.”
Former professional football player Sam Aiston, who played for Sunderland, Shrewsbury Town, and Wrexham, stated, “We’ll headline that as the worst Championship contract in history!” £90 per week for Jody Craddock.
Podcast presenter and Wales international Edwards enquired, seeking further clarification on the matter: “So that was Jez (Moxley), was it? In a way, they were saying, “We want you to get your testimonial,” at least.
In response, Craddock said, “Which I never understood. I would have gone and done it if Jez had said, “I’ll give you a grand if you go in and train every day and try to get in the team.” I’m thinking I’m not going in for ninety quid a week.
“All he said was, ‘we’ll put you under contract so you can write a testimonial.'” You know, I appreciate them going to that length to enable me to provide my testimony.”
After Craddock’s contract at Molineux expired in 2014, his testimonial was finally played. Kenny Jackett gave the seasoned campaigner a chance to prolong his ten-year tenure with the Wolves by offering a two-week trial. But it soon became clear that Jackett was playing around with the idea of holding onto the defender.
“Look, you know you go away at the weekend, are you going to give me a fair crack at this?” he questioned upon returning to meet him on the first day. By the way, I’m about to start my tenth year with Wolves. On the first day, I went to visit him.
“Since my son is in the hospital and I’m not travelling to Ireland, I said, are you going to give me a fair shot? Should I simply go there, you will eventually say, “Oh, we don’t want you.” The moment he said, “No, I’m not signing you,” my career was essentially over.”
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