By Mike Rowbottom
November 19 – Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), believes that footballers – and supporters – have to be represented in the boardroom if the national game, and the future supply of young English players, is to be safeguarded.
In the wake of England’s poor display against France at Wembley, Taylor (pictured) voiced his concerns over the future of the national game to F C Business Magazine.
“I would like to see players [club captains] on the main board of clubs,” he said.
“I think we need to move towards complete transparency in our game.
“Having the club captain on the board, being made privy to the financial situations and visions of the club and being able to relay that to his teammates in their speak can only be good for the game.
“I also advocate the idea of having supporters on the board – as long as they are organised this will have only positive impacts on clubs and I’m glad to see that some are heading in that direction.
“I think it is very important for people to remember that football has no divine right to be the most popularly played sport in this country or the world.
“If we don’t all continue to progress as individuals and organisations then other sports will fill the void that we create.
“So from a PFA perspective it is very important that we continue to battle hard on the fronts we currently are and any more that come along on the way.
“You have to keep your eye on the temperature of the game.
“I am passionate about making sure football remains a vital and positive part of our social fabric.”
Taylor added that he hopes the long overdue National Football Centre at Burton will be built sooner rather than later.
“Look, it is clear that it has got to happen, but that is just phase one,” he said.
“The previous centre that the FA operated at Lilleshall did produce good players like Michael Owen and Sol Campbell for the England first team.
“The acid test of Burton will be to see if it can do the same as Lilleshall and the same as what other countries’ coaching homes do.”
Taylor does support the Premier League’s 25-man squad rule which was introduced this season, even though some observers have looked at the rising percentage of foreign players versus home-grown players and concluded that the ruling is mere ‘lip service’ to an issue the league had to be seen to be doing something about.
“I think it is a bit more than lip service,” Taylor said.
“It is an acknowledgement to increase young talent.
“What I will say is that having them in the squad isn’t good enough.
“Having our young players getting splinters in their bottoms isn’t doing anyone any good.
“If you look at the players that are coming through, even they had a very tough time doing so.
“James Milner (pictured) was told by Souness at Newcastle that he couldn’t risk playing young players.
“Lucky for him he got a move and has come through – but of course you don’t hear about the ones that didn’t who still could have been great players.”
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