Fees paid to club for bench warmers (4)
I believe the answer is:
subs
'bench warmers' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for subs that I've seen before include "Reserves at football (sl.)" , "Club members' payments" , "Advance payments" , "vehicles" , "Underwater vessels (abbr)" .)