Clarke Carlisle calls for Gordon Taylor to quit PFA despite admitting he’d be dead without his help

GORDON TAYLOR’S biggest PFA ally has called for him to go.

Ex-chairman Clarke Carlisle accused Taylor of a lack of “transparent governance” — despite admitting he would not be alive without the union’s help.

Carlisle is now backing current chairman Ben Purkiss in his bid to oust Taylor after 37 YEARS as chief executive.

Taylor, 73, who has been branded “a disgrace” and a “dinosaur” by ex-pros in a row over his £2.3million salary, refused to comment yesterday as he was snapped at the PFA’s Manchester HQ.

An open letter calling for Taylor to quit has been endorsed by 300 players. And Carlisle said: “It’s not looking like a very pretty situation. Ben has educated himself in governance protocol and if he feels the focus needs changing and addressing, he is well within his rights to make requests like that.

“I was chairman for four years and I didn’t know — and it was my fault — that the chief executive was an elected position.

“There has to be clear and transparent governance. The PFA has to be in tune with the needs of society and modern footballers.”

Carlisle, who has fought a long battle with depression, added: “The role should be rolling. If the management committee feels a new approach is necessary they will have to have the conversation with Gordon.

“I doubt Gordon will step aside. He’d want to leave on his terms with the due respect he deserves for what he has done.”

Purkiss is locked in a bitter spat with Taylor over an independent review into the running of the union.

Ex-Prem stars Danny Murphy, Ian Wright and Vinnie Jones have also joined the tirade against Taylor.

Speaking on , Carlisle added: “I wouldn’t be alive today if it was not for the support of the PFA.

“Not just financially, but personally, Gordon has been there for me. But there is a difference between Gordon as a human and an organisation like the PFA having the same chief executive for 37 years.