PFA boss Gordon Taylor in bitter fight to retain £2.2m role as players’ chief after 37 years in charge
Taylor is at loggerheads with the Professional Football Association chairman, Ben Purkiss, as the pair are involved in a power struggle
PFA chief Gordon Taylor is locked in a bitter fight for survival after a massive fall-out with union chairman Ben Purkiss.
Taylor, 73, who has headed the players’ union since 1981, faces the most serious challenge to his authority since a rift with his then-deputy Mick Maguire in 2009 saw the PFA No 2 sacked over bullying claims.
Walsall defender Purkiss, who replaced Ritchie Humphries as the chairman of the organisation last November, is the target of a bid to have him booted from his role by Taylor.
Purkiss has launched a drive to modernise the union, in a clear challenge to the authority of the £2.2m per year Taylor.
Taylor, in turn, is arguing that the neck injury which has effectively forced Purkiss from the game at the age of 34 means he should no longer be the chairman - traditionally a role taken on by an active player.
Purkiss, who is understood to be backed by the PFA management committee, made up of representatives from clubs in all divisions, claims Taylor is seeking to ignore precedents which have seen other non-contract players retain their membership of the organisation.
And the journeyman midfielder - whose past clubs include Oxford, Hereford, Port Vale and Swindon - is gearing up for a confrontation as he refuses to bow to Taylor’s wishes.
Purkiss told the Daily Mail: “I want the PFA to be innovative, to represent the needs of its members, to strengthen our relationship with the players, and strengthen our relationship with the other stakeholders.
“We’ve got £50m in the bank and I have no idea why.
“We’ve had the same CEO for nearly 40 years. Have we moved with the times? Isn’t it time we had a full and comprehensive review?”
Taylor has survived previous threats to his leadership and also had an at-times acrimonious relationship with former chairman Barry Horne before his 2001 departure.
But the challenge from Purkiss appears the real deal and could see Taylor's 37-year reign come to an end.
