This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8193146.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Footballer tackles player rip-offs | Footballer tackles player rip-offs |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Hefty footballer salaries have helped attract some upmarket brands | Hefty footballer salaries have helped attract some upmarket brands |
| An international footballer is launching a website aimed at helping fellow players avoid being ripped off or getting bad service. | An international footballer is launching a website aimed at helping fellow players avoid being ripped off or getting bad service. |
| Middlesbrough defender Andrew Taylor came up with the idea after being dissatisfied with a company that installed an audio system in his home. | Middlesbrough defender Andrew Taylor came up with the idea after being dissatisfied with a company that installed an audio system in his home. |
| Platinum Players will feature companies that offer "luxury lifestyle products" - from cars and gadgets to hotels and restaurants - which have been vetted and deemed "trustworthy" for the stars. | Platinum Players will feature companies that offer "luxury lifestyle products" - from cars and gadgets to hotels and restaurants - which have been vetted and deemed "trustworthy" for the stars. |
| The UK's 4,000 professional footballers will be sent log-in details for the invitation-only site. | The UK's 4,000 professional footballers will be sent log-in details for the invitation-only site. |
| Mr Taylor has funded the project from his own wages, and will earn income from listing fees and advertising charges paid by the companies it features. | Mr Taylor has funded the project from his own wages, and will earn income from listing fees and advertising charges paid by the companies it features. |
| Car dealerships, a hotel in Mayfair, property companies and an interior design firm are among those who have already signed up for the site, which launches on 1 September. | Car dealerships, a hotel in Mayfair, property companies and an interior design firm are among those who have already signed up for the site, which launches on 1 September. |
| Other high-profile names include the restaurant group Nobu, upmarket retailer Harvey Nichols, Movida nightclub and the car marques Alfa-Romeo and Bentley. | Other high-profile names include the restaurant group Nobu, upmarket retailer Harvey Nichols, Movida nightclub and the car marques Alfa-Romeo and Bentley. |
| Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
| The idea is not to make money but simply to help players find prestigious brands and companies that are trustworthy Andrew TaylorMiddlesbrough footballer | The idea is not to make money but simply to help players find prestigious brands and companies that are trustworthy Andrew TaylorMiddlesbrough footballer |
| Mr Taylor, 23, said that, after speaking to his teammates, he realised he was not alone in feeling he was being ripped off and offered poor after-sales service. | Mr Taylor, 23, said that, after speaking to his teammates, he realised he was not alone in feeling he was being ripped off and offered poor after-sales service. |
| "The idea of this website is not to make money but simply to help players find prestigious brands and companies that are trustworthy," the former England Under-21 player added. | "The idea of this website is not to make money but simply to help players find prestigious brands and companies that are trustworthy," the former England Under-21 player added. |
| He said the site would be particularly useful for foreign players, who did not know how to find the services they needed on arrival in the UK. They were particularly vulnerable to being overcharged by handymen doing work on property, the left-back added. | He said the site would be particularly useful for foreign players, who did not know how to find the services they needed on arrival in the UK. They were particularly vulnerable to being overcharged by handymen doing work on property, the left-back added. |
| The idea of media specifically targeting footballers and their families is not new. | |
| In 2005, former Liverpool, Tottenham and England star Jamie Redknapp launched a bi-monthly magazine with his wife, Louise and former team-mate Tim Sherwood, called Icon. | In 2005, former Liverpool, Tottenham and England star Jamie Redknapp launched a bi-monthly magazine with his wife, Louise and former team-mate Tim Sherwood, called Icon. |
| Companies will pay a premium to advertise to footballers - some of who earn well in excess of £100,000 per week. | Companies will pay a premium to advertise to footballers - some of who earn well in excess of £100,000 per week. |