The rulebook which constrains and shapes the existence of the vast majority of us, simply doesn't exist for footballers. Yet, although most of them probably do not realise it, that link between us and them is about to be re-established.
Footballers are about to face the prospect of being sacked.
When FIFA president Sepp Blatter met his cohorts in Zurich last week in a desperate attempt to head the European Union off at the pass by offering to abolish transfer fees for players above the age of 24, they talked about workers' rights. When you arm players with the freedom to give notice to their clubs and move, you also equip clubs with the means to change personnel as they see fit. Under the new system, the Welshman would have been worth nothing more than what he gave them on the pitch each week. You're out, son. How Wednesday manager Danny Wilson would have enjoyed saying that to the Italian if he hadn't worn a transfer value the Yorkshire club couldn't afford to ignore.