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Joe Marler’s surprise at footballers’ wages came during a 2024 conversation with former professional footballer Jimmy Bullard on Marler’s Things People Do podcast. Bullard said his biggest contract was £50,000 a week and estimated that some Manchester City players might earn £350,000 a week. Those are Bullard’s reported remarks—not verified club salary disclosures or a guide to what footballers generally earn.
What did Jimmy Bullard tell Joe Marler about footballers’ wages?
In an article published on 3 November 2025, The Football Group reported that Bullard told Marler: “My biggest contract was £50k-a-week.” The article says Bullard did not name the club that paid him that amount. This is an attributed recollection of his biggest contract, not an audited salary record. The Football Group’s account is the source for the quotation and context.
The same article attributes a separate estimate to Bullard: “I’d have to say a few of the Man City boys must be on £350k-a-week.” The wording matters: he was estimating what some Manchester City players might earn, not reporting a confirmed salary or citing a club disclosure. The Football Group’s article reports the estimate.
Which podcast episode were they discussing?
The episode is titled “About Footballers: The carnage combination of Jimmy Bullard and Joe Marler.” Its Apple Podcasts listing gives a publication date of 13 November 2024 and says the conversation discusses how much footballers earn compared with rugby players. The listing establishes the episode’s identity and subject, but it does not provide a transcript or confirm the exact wage figures. View the episode listing.
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“Stunned” is The Football Group’s characterization of Marler’s reaction. The episode listing and article do not provide a direct quote from Marler describing that reaction, so it should not be presented as his own verbatim wording.
Do the figures show what footballers usually earn?
No. Bullard’s reported £50,000-a-week figure concerns his own biggest contract; his £350,000-a-week comment is an estimate about a few Manchester City players. Neither establishes a typical football wage. The collected sources do not provide a named salary dataset or comparable league-wide figures.
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A meaningful football-and-rugby pay comparison would need consistent measures: weekly or annual pay, gross salary or take-home pay, the contract period and geography, and whether bonuses or image rights are included. The episode listing gives the broad comparison as a topic, but not the data needed to calculate an average or make a like-for-like comparison.
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- TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED: A durable rugby practice ball you and your rugby team can trust. Featuring Gilbert's newly patented triangular surface grip pattern, the G-TR4000 represents a major step forward in grip technology on training rugby balls. Tests have shown that this new, more defined pattern is hard wearing and allows the rugby player more surface area contact with the ball when handling.
- AS TOUGH AS YOU: Thanks to its proprietary hydratec technical fabrics and waterproof laminations, the Gilbert rugby ball handles even the roughest conditions, enhancing the life and performance of the ball. Gilbert knows what it takes to produce top quality youth rugby, and adult rugby balls, that will last multiple seasons of heavy use.
- PREMIUM CONSTRUCTION: Preparing for a rugby game is serious business. Our size 5 rugby ball, as well as our size 3 and 4 size rugby ball for kids, feature a 3-ply poly-cotton and cotton laminate panels. This means that our balls will weigh slightly more, perform better on longer kicks and passes, and generally hold its shape better than a ball of 2-ply construction.
- HAND-STITCHED: In addition to our superior triangular grip pattern, and 3 ply poly cotton panels, all Gilbert rugby balls are hand stitched for durability. Pull it out of your rugby bag and trust that It's tough as nails. With over 20 years of experience, Gilbert is a trusted brand, making top-quality training equipment that stands up to the toughest challenges, making it the ultimate rugby game ball.
- EASY CARE: Prior to training or a match, use a soft cloth, light detergent, and warm water to remove dirt and residue from your rugby ball. All training/practice rugby balls and rugby game balls come deflated. Inflate them to 9.5 psi using a rugby pump, or any ball pump. Gilbert training balls are a great choice for any rugby team or player looking for an uncompromising, high-quality rugby ball.
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