After disclosing being forced to pack boxes in the years after his retirement, Dale Studzinski has revealed extensively the difficult subject of financial difficulties faced by former players.
Studzinski's career took him from Manning Rangers to SuperSport United, HP Silver Stars, BidVest Wits, and Thanda Royal Zulu.
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The 44-year-old now has business interests at Food Lovers Market in Scottburgh on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.
"I know of guys that were hits during their playing days but fell so bad that they now must beg," Studzinksi tells KickOff.
"Some of my former mates that I played with are always calling asking for money but there is only so much that I can also do.
"I wish agents could be tighter with players and make sure that they take 30% of their income and put it away all the time.
"The PSL should also try to have some retirement scheme made compulsory for players because it all becomes a nightmare for players after they stop playing and earning football money.
"Handling money is always an issue for footballers.
"I had some money put away, but it wasn't enough which is why I had to start from the bottom and pack boxes.
"I retired aged 32 so I had to bite the bullet and work from the bottom to where I am now in the fruit and vegetables retail space.
"A lot of the guys don't even get the opportunity to start from the bottom like it was with me.
"I did earn what I thought was decent at the time but what I did was that I never touched my signing on fees and put it all away.
"For me, the signing on fees was like a bonus just like money for winning a trophy or getting to a cup final.
"I wasn't perfect in this, but it did help me that I knew about putting money away.
"The truth about football is that nobody really tells them about what happens after the last playing contract.
"You can move from earning R80 000-R100 000 then suddenly it is all gone when there is no income anymore.
"Plenty guys then fall back into poverty because they were never able to think about the future and handle the finances accordingly in relation to the length of the contracts that they had.
"The challenge with a football career is that it has no date as to when it will end.
"You can get injured, lose form, or fall out of favour with a new coach," details Studzinski who started out as a goalkeeper in his younger days before ultimately breaking into the professional ranks as a striker.
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