MOST clubs have a fines system. It is usually a smallish fine, depending on the severity.

We have fines from £5 to a week’s wages for something more severe.

Generally that money, unless it is a week’s wages where the club need to keep that for the administration, goes into the players’ pool anyway.

What generally happens is that it goes to towards the Christmas do or the end-of-season get-together.

It is not a one-way thing. It is a bit of fun, it is for a bit of respect and for a bit of discipline and to make sure the lads are punctual.

It is generally for things the players should be doing anyway, but they are quite forgetful.

It can become more serious. If players are repetitive in their lateness, or certainly on match days where there is more serious time-keeping expected, then the players’ fines go up dramatically.

I think the maximum you can do legally is two weeks' wages, but you are talking about real severe cases for that to happen.

I think it is part of the spirit. Some players try stitching other players up by hiding flip-flops, or sometimes the goalkeeping gloves might go missing.

It is done as a bit of fun and part of the dressing room spirit.

Most players accept it and they have a bit of fun. Some have a little court case in the dressing room if they think they have got a genuine case for not paying a fine and he might have a witness to say he was in the ground.

It adds more to the banter and then they face a double fine for taking it to appeal and losing.

I remember the days of Vinnie Jones and the Crazy Gang, where they used to cut people’s trousers up and the laces on their shoes.

You have got to be careful and, certainly nowadays, you don’t want to be doing things like they used to perhaps do at Wimbledon.

I remember Kevin Horlock. He lived around the corner from Nick Summerbee, and he didn’t turn up for training one day because he was fast asleep on the settee.

They went around and banged on his window but couldn’t wake him up.

There were lots of little things but it was all in the spirit of the game and that is how it should be.