Gentlemen v Players was a first-class cricket match between teams consisting of amateurs (the Gentlemen) and professionals (the Players). The difference between the two was defined by English class structure in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Players were deemed to be working-class wage-earners and the Gentlemen were members of the middle and upper classes, usually products of the English public school system. Whereas the Players were paid wages by their county clubs or fees by match organisers, the Gentlemen nominally claimed expenses. The whole subject of expenses was controversial and it was held that some leading amateurs were paid more for playing cricket than any professional.