The PFA is pleased to announce the 13 members of the newly formed Players’ Board and confirm finalised terms with the incoming Chief Executive Maheta Molango.
In the last 12-months, we have set about transforming the PFA’s governance and operational structures. The new structure includes the newly formed Players’ Board, a new Chief Executive, four Non-Executive Directors and a new Operational Board.
Today, we can confirm the composition of the newly formed Players’ Board, which comprises 13 elected representatives, two members from each of the five divisions (Premier League, Women’s Super League, Championship, League One and League Two), plus three former members.
PFA Chief Executive, Gordon Taylor OBE said: “I have been proud to see the number of candidates who applied to be part of the new Players’ Board. The strength of the union has always come from the players.
“Football, now more than ever, needs a strong PFA. With this collective unity, I have no doubt that the players will represent the game’s best interests, and we will continue to be the strongest sportspersons union in the world.”
The recruitment process for our new Players’ Board has been highly competitive, with 63 applicants contesting 13 available positions.
The newly elected board will decide by vote, a Chair and Vice-Chair. The Chair must be a current member, and the Vice-Chair can be any other board member.
PFA Chairman, Ben Purkiss said: “I am proud to have led the transformation at the PFA, and I’m delighted with the composition of the new Players’ Board.
“Our new structure rightly places the players at the heart of the PFA and the decision-making process.”
Meet the new Players’ Board:
Premier League // WSL
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Tom Heaton (Aston Villa), Wes Morgan (Leicester City), Danielle Carter (Reading) and Steph Houghton (Manchester City).
Championship // League One
Troy Deeney (Watford), George Friend (Birmingham City), Omar Beckles (Crewe Alexandra) and John Mousinho (Oxford United).
League Two // Former Players
Peter Clarke (Tranmere Rovers), Kevin Ellison (Newport County), Chris McCready, Marvin Sordell and Peter Vincenti.
In addition to the new Players’ Board, we are at the final stages of concluding an extensive search for the PFA’s next Chief Executive. Maheta Molango has agreed terms, subject to a work permit, and is expected to start formally within the role from the 1st June 2021.
Gordon Taylor commented: “I’m pleased we are making good progress confirming the appointment of Maheta Molango as our new Chief Executive. Maheta has a formidable CV and is widely recognised as one of Spain’s top sports lawyers. He is fluent in five languages, vastly experienced in representing football’s elite performers and a playing career that includes time in England’s lower tiers. I’m confident he will relate to players at every level of our membership.”
The new Chief Executive forms part of the new Operational Board and will be supported by four newly appointed independent Non-Executive Directors, the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Players’ Board, and the Finance Director.
The four Non-Executives are Darren Hardman, Trevor Johnson, Ebru Köksal and Geoff Thompson, who bring vast experience from the highest levels of business, tech, charity and sport.
Ben Purkiss, added: “Our new structure, underpinned by the expertise available to support the Players’ Board, provides us with an opportunity to drive the changes in football that all our members demand.
“There is clearly still much work to be done, and I would like to wish Maheta and the Players’ Board well for the future.”
Finally, the PFA would like to express our gratitude for all candidates’ time and effort in preparing their submissions.
We hope that the players who didn’t make the Players’ Board on this occasion will help shape the organisation’s direction, either as club delegates or as pro-active members.
To all our members, the PFA is your union. The collective support and input of our members brings invaluable insight and experience, which is crucial to setting the future direction of the PFA.
Report of Voting:
- To download the Scrutineers' Report of Voting: Click here.
