Industry Reacts To Taylor Resignation
The sport industry has been reacting to news that Gordon Taylor is to stand down as chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) after 38 years in charge.
The move leaves yet another of England’s football institutions looking for new leadership, following the resignations of Richard Scudamore (Premier League), Martin Glenn (The FA) and Shaun Harvey (EFL).
Taylor, who may remain in post for up to two years under the terms of his resignation, had come under pressure from modernising forces within the player’s union, who raised questions including over his £2m-a-year salary.
PFA Chairman Ben Purkiss last year instigated an independent review into the organisation’s governance and effectiveness in serving “modern footballers.”
Purkiss also revealed his intention to stand down alongside Taylor and the rest of the PFA management committee in a statement released at the union’s annual general meeting in Manchester.
He said: “While I am an advocate for change, it was never my intention to be critical of the organisation. There is so much about the PFA of which we can rightly be proud, and I want to acknowledge the staff at the PFA who work tirelessly to support members across so many different areas.”
Taylor, Purkiss and the entire PFA management committee will remain in place until the conclusion of the independent review conducted by Sport Resolutions, and pending the appointment of a new CEO.
PFA AGM 2019 | Gordon Taylor on the future of the PFA… pic.twitter.com/SBDBSX14H1
— PFA | Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) March 27, 2019
Industry reaction to the news has been mixed, with many reflecting on the achievements of Taylor in negotiating a £25m-a-year deal with the Premier League, and in founding the ‘Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football’ initiative in 1993, which later became Kick It Out.
The organisation was among those to pay tribute to the legacy of the former Bolton, Birmingham and Blackburn player.
Gordon Taylor has announced his retirement from the @PFA.
In 1993, he was one of the founders of Kick It Out and we wish him well in the future. pic.twitter.com/K4ahOPybWS
— Kick It Out (@kickitout) March 27, 2019
Other voices were critical of Taylor’s record in supporting research into links between professional football and dementia.
There was also dismay at the loss of Purkiss as a casualty of the move.
Ben Purkiss is not allowed to replace G Taylor as PFA chief executive for ‘five years’ despite being the person who has driven the change (of Taylor) many members wanted: pic.twitter.com/IsT5BzVcqR
— jamie jackson (@JamieJackson___) March 27, 2019
The PFA has responded to questions raised over the legal advice that led to Pukiss’ departure in a statement, which read:
“This is a confidential matter which we were seeking to deal with in accordance with the agreed process for resolving disputes. However Mr Purkiss has declined so far to engage in that process. It is disappointing to see a confidential matter such as this has now found its way into the national media.
“The PFA does not propose to deal with all the points raised in a public forum, but will do so privately. However we do feel obliged to correct the suggestion made by Mr Purkiss that he has not received “any explanation” as to why his membership has been questioned. As he and the rest of the PFA Management Committee are aware, Mr Purkiss is no longer a contracted professional footballer and therefore the Management Committee asked for legal advice to be obtained to clarify the position.
“We instructed two QC’s who provided advice that his status meant he was ineligible to be a member of the PFA and therefore ineligible to remain as the Chairman. Those opinions were provided to Mr Purkiss but he was not prepared to accept the advice. He was therefore fully aware of the “explanation as to why” and should not be suggesting otherwise.
“Given that a dispute has arisen, this cannot be resolved by the Chief Executive, Gordon Taylor, or by the Management Committee. Mr Purkiss has been invited to engage in the agreed process in place to deal with disputes and it is hoped that we can now resolve this matter in accordance with that process.”
Photo (c) Getty Images
