Whilst Pools have made quite a number of free transfers it used to be said that in reality there was no such thing as the club had to pay a signing on fee to the player and a registration fee. I do know that clubs like Pools spread the fee over the contract. I just wonder if anyone knows the present situation.

do not know if things have altered over 30 years but i do know at one time players on a free transfer did get some signing on fee from their new club. one actually paid a players car insurance for 12 months. at the time that was a good deal as a pro footballers car insurance would be double ours no matter what ours is due to our record.