Bevington to take up Club England role immediately

May 31 – Adrian Bevington (pictured right) will take up his new role as Club England managing director with immediate effect, the Football Association have announced.

With his vast experience of FA affairs in 15 years with the organisation, the hope is that Bevington will help bring some stability to the FA at a time of huge turmoil following the controversial exit of chairman Lord Triesman and sudden resignation of Ian Watmore.

General secretary Alex Horne was confirmed in his new position at an FA board meeting last week, whilst Roger Burden will operate as temporary chairman.

Bevington will combine his new role with that of his current one as the FA’s director of communications until after the World Cup, which starts in South Africa on June 11, and will be part of a delegation that meets with Fabio Capello later this week to stress how much they want the Italian to remain in his job.

“Adrian has been fulfilling the role of Club England MD for several months now, so it makes sense to formalise the role as the team head to the World Cup,” said Horne.

“Adrian’s key immediate focus is on supporting the senior team in South Africa.

“Longer term, I am delighted that Adrian will be leading this new area, pooling our resources to make sure all our national teams are well supported in their match preparations.”

Bevington will be replaced by Julian Eccles, who joins the FA as director of marketing and communications, who is due to start tomorrow (June 1).

The FA has also promoted Stuart Turner from his role as head of broadcast to lead the commercial department on a temporary basis

The role has been vacant since Jonathan Hill’s departure in September.

The commercial director is responsible for broadcast, sponsorship and new business and he will report to Horne.

Head of development Sean McAuliffe and head of sponsorship Peter Daire will report to Turner.