Testimonials are the perfect way to celebrate a player's lengthy tenure at a single club, with sides often honouring loyal servants that have spent a decade with them by arranging a friendly match in his honour.

While the concept may have developed over the years, the lighthearted and jovial nature of the game has always remained the same.

However, sometimes testimonials can go horribly wrong, here are seven such instances of those awkward moments...

7. Dennis Irwin

Testimonial match: Manchester United vs Manchester City

One of the most reliable players in Manchester United's history, Dennis Irwin celebrated ten years at Old Trafford in August 2000, although he would go on to play two more season for the Red Devils.

In honour of his decade in Manchester, the former Republic of Ireland full-back chose to face off against local rivals City, but he was forced off injured after just 36 minutes following a challenge from George Weah, in what was overall a feisty affair.

6. Darren Wrack

Testimonial match: Walsall vs Wolves

The retired midfielder had donated ten years of his career to the Saddlers and was given a testimonial by the club against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Bescot Stadium in April 2008.

However, the match attracted just 1,330 supporters, which was a miserable turnout for the man who made nearly 400 appearances for Walsall and was part of two separate promotions with the Midlands side.

5. Johan Cruyff

Testimonial match: Ajax vs Bayern Munich

One of the greatest players of all time, Johan Cruyff bid farewell to Ajax, the club with whom he had won eight league titles and three consecutive European Cups, by taking part in a testimonial game against German giants Bayern Munich in Amsterdam.

While the results are traditionally not important in such games, Cruyff's Ajax were completely embarrassed by the Bavarians, who ended up winning 8-0 as they responded to their discontent over how they were treated by the Dutch.

4. David Seaman

Testimonial match: Arsenal vs Barcelona

David Seaman was honoured by the Gunners with a testimonial game against Barcelona at Highbury, which earned the legendary keeper around £600,000. Yet, it did not quite go to plan as he conceded two goals in a 2-0 loss.

Matters were made worse as the competitive affair saw players square up to each other, before the fireworks were complete as Lee Dixon and Boudewijn Zenden violently clashed, leading the Dutchman to be substituted.

3. Claus Lundekvam

Testimonial match: Southampton vs Celtic

The Norwegian defender spent a total of 12 years on the south coast and as he got ready to hang up his boots a testimonial game in his honour was scheduled against Scottish side Celtic.

Yet, a Bon Jovi concert at the St Mary's Stadium a month before meant that Lundekvam paid for the pitch to be re-laid himself and only after Matt Le Tissier publicly called on fans to turn up to the game, did the centre-back recoup his money.

2. Ronnie Whelan

Testimonial match: Liverpool vs Newcastle United

Peter Beardsley had only just signed for the Magpies, for the second time, but his competitive debut had to wait six weeks, after he suffered a fractured cheekbone colliding with Neil Ruddock just minutes into Ronnie Whelan's testimonial.

Having signed from Everton and now playing against another former club Liverpool in Whelan's match, Beardsley was to left to watch from the sidelines as Ruddock scored the only goal of the game.

1. Julian Dicks