Gordon Taylor to Step Down as PFA Chief By the End of the Season

Gordon Taylor will finally step down as chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association by the end of this season, according to reports.

Taylor took up the position in 1981 and soon after helped set up a standard contract and pension scheme for players. During his time as chief executive he also co-founded the Kick it Out campaign and received an OBE for services to football in 2008.

However, in more recent times, Taylor has faced heavy criticism. The main point of contention is the PFA's failure to deal with football's dementia crisis, while the organisation is also under investigation by the Charity Commission. His hefty £2m-a-year pay packet has similarly caused problems.

According to the Telegraph, Taylor's decision to leave comes after the completion of a Sports Resolution review which recommended wholesale changes at the PFA. The 75-year-old had already confirmed he would leave the role when the investigation was completed and now, his time is up.

In a letter sent out to PFA members, Taylor laid out plans for the PFA's future.

"Under the new structure, the management committee will hand over to a players’ board and an operational board, and we will be inviting nominations for members to join the players’ board," Taylor wrote.

"Those members will be instrumental in taking forward the PFA under our new structure, and I hope you will consider whether you would wish to play a leadership role in our future.

"As I announced at our previous AGM, now that the independent review process has completed, I too will step down, by the end of the current season. A new chief executive will be elected following the recruitment procedure recommended by the independent review, and we have already made substantial progress in that direction. I will of course be available in the future whenever needed to support the PFA."