Chelsea became the first English professional club to pay their staff the living wage yesterday, putting pressure on other clubs to follow suit.

From the start of next year, the London club will pay all employed staff the living wage as a minimum — currently £9.15 in London and £7.85 outside of the capital.

The living wage will also extend to external contractors who work at their Cobham training ground and other areas where the club operates. By 2017, Chelsea hope to be paying staff employed by outside contractors the same rate as all other staff members.