David Seaman is widely regarded as one of England and Arsenal’s best goalkeepers.
He won three league titles, four FA Cups, a League Cup and the European Cup Winner’s Cup. Nicknamed ‘safe hands’, Seaman, 62, has 75 England caps and was awarded an MBE in 1997.
He is married to Frankie, 52, a professional skater who he met on Dancing On Ice. The couple live in Buckinghamshire and Seaman has four grown-up children.
What did your parents teach you about money?
They taught me money is hard to come by. My mum worked in a pub, my dad was a steel worker. I’ve got memories of him running to work in his overalls and steel toe cap boots to get there on time.
Mum and Dad were young when they had me. We lived in a terraced house and we didn’t have an inside bathroom or toilet.
When I was 14, they bought a corner shop, which sold fresh bread, sandwiches and groceries. Through watching them I realised if you work hard, then you can get somewhere, and that echoed into my football career.
Football thrills: David Seaman celebrates while playing for England at Wembley in 1996
Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?
Yes. I was an apprentice at Leeds and at 19 was told I wasn’t good enough. I earned £12 a week, had a free bus pass and accommodation. That £12 a week didn’t last long.
When I turned 17, I passed my driving test and was luckily given my dad’s old banger – but I went £90 overdrawn tinkering with it. I couldn’t sleep, worried about where I was going to get money from. It taught me a vital lesson – always know what you’re spending and what’s in your bank account.
What was your biggest money mistake?
Buying an Aston Martin DB7. I bought one in 2000, it was brand new and I paid a lot for it. I was so proud, but after three months I landed upside down in it – I’d lost the back end, hit a kerb and it spun over. Luckily I wasn’t injured, but I was stuck in the car.
My friend Lee Dixon pulled the door open and I cut my hand on a piece of glass that had shattered on to the floor. That will be the last car I ever buy brand new given how much value it lost as soon as it was off the forecourt.
What is the most expensive thing you bought for fun?
The Aston Martin. It was Sherwood green and had a soft top. It was my pride and joy. It was always leading up to this, because I love James Bond – it was something I’d always wanted.
When did you first feel wealthy?
When I looked at my house and thought: ‘Yeah, I’ve done OK.’ Buying that Aston Martin was the pinnacle because it’s an expensive toy. I worked really hard to get to that stage.
I joined Leeds at 16 but left at 19, going down to Peterborough United in the fourth division – it was a slow burn.
Sporting couple: David is married to Frankie, a professional skater
Have you ever been paid silly money?
Being a footballer, you get paid silly money, but it’s the job I did to earn my money. I call it bonkers money, but it’s the going rate.
Even back in my day I was fortunate enough to be paid the top rate as a goalkeeper. Other stuff that I did, such as Dancing On Ice and Walkers crisps TV adverts, is silly money as well. It’s all about having fun but getting paid for it.
What is the best financial decision you have made?
Getting a good financial adviser. I know there’s players out there that haven’t had that advice and they’ve ended up losing big sums.
What would be your best advice for young footballers or others earning a high salary?
Be aware of what you’re earning and spending. The information you get as a youngster with money is so important.
People will target you – it’s key to get a good agent and financial adviser.
Will you pass your money down or spend it all?
I know the value of my money, and it’s not just my money, it’s mine and Frankie’s. We will continue to enjoy life and hope the kids will look after us when the time comes!
Do you own any property?
We have our house in Buckinghamshire. I try to get over to my kids that they should get on the ladder as soon as possible.
When I was at Peterborough I rented a house at a good rate because the club had an agreement with the council. But I knew I wanted to move on, and after two years I’d gone to Birmingham. I first got on the housing ladder while playing there, aged 21. I’ve always owned a house since.
Do you have a pension?
The Professional Footballers’ Association always advised players to start paying into a pension.
As a footballer, you get the opportunity to take your pension when you are 35. I had the option of deferring it until I retired or taking my lump sum, which is what I did. I then reinvested it with the advice I was given.
What is your number one financial priority?
To make my money look after me now, and I am able to draw from my investments when I need to. On top of that, I’m still earning different things that come along such as the Masked Singer.
I’ve recently been doing a podcast, too. All these things add up. Make sure you look after your money, because later on in life that money will look after you.
- David Seaman is fronting a campaign with Starling Bank and Arsenal promoting financial literacy.
