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Gordon Taylor admitted to making mistakes in his 38 years as head of the Professional Footballers' Association, but denied accusations that he had failed in a generation of former players with related illnesses. to madness.
At the union's annual general meeting on Wednesday, the 74-year-old announced his intention to step down after the end of the independent review of the PFA.
This means that the former winger of Bolton, Birmingham, Blackburn and Bury could resign as early as November, at the next AGM, even though he could still be in charge next year, depending on the duration of examination and research of his successor. take.
The announcement, however, marks the beginning of the end of a relationship that began when Taylor signed for Bolton at the age of 16, having seen him switch from player to committee member, president to chief executive, a career closely 50 years old.
It's also the end of a chapter in the union's history that has deeply divided the world and a difficult time for Taylor.
What started with an attempt by PFA President Ben Purkiss to help Taylor retire – and give the union a boost – broke out in a civil war and a series of negative headlines.
Some of these stories were new – including the suggestion that the PFA violated the law on unions by not putting Taylor in the running for reelection and the governance issues of his charity – but others were old chopsticks to beat him.
S addressing the Sport Press Association, he acknowledged that there had been "conflicts" with Purkiss and others but added that there had been a "rapprochement" to ensure the survival and fulfillment of the union.
When asked if he had any regrets, Taylor replied, "Of course, I'm human. I woke up with a negative feeling, but the challenge is to make it positive.
"There is no football team in the world that can win every game. You are just trying to make sure you get two out of three right. "
The most common complaint has always been that he is overpaid.
His annual salary is now £ 1.3 million, but he receives a big bonus every three years when he has entered into a new funding agreement with the Premier League – an agreement that is best understood as an agreement non-strike in exchange for the payment of the league. for the charity fund and players' pensions.
"That's how I was raised to value myself," said Taylor, remembering his first relationship with Bolton's manager when he was a teenager.
"And I do not write my own salary. They are evaluated based on experience, other general managers and the money I report.
To emphasize this, he stated that, despite the recent negativity, he was still able to obtain a three-year funding settlement with the Premier League, the English Football League and the FA, a value £ 60 million a year.
As a result, the match, the players and union officials have grown, and he believes that the breadth and depth of AFP services has also increased.
However, not everyone agrees, and the most virulent critics come from Dawn Astle, who lost his father, Jeff Astle, at the age of 59, following a neurological illness.
Since the death of the former England striker and West Brom in 2002, many former players have died as a result of similar problems related to dementia.
This led to calls for the PFA to fund research to determine if there is a link between directing the bullet and serious brain diseases – Taylor's critics said he had not listened before too late.
"We lobbied and helped," said Taylor, describing the union's work to modify housing, provide respite care and pay medical bills.
When asked why the critics kept coming, he replied, "Because it's really difficult. You have the NHS, the medical systems, the drug companies, they are all trying to find out what causes dementia, the most deadly in the world.
"We are more than ready to play a role. But that's like the problem we had with young players and sudden death syndrome. What we could do was heart screening. It did not stop but it improved the situation.
"Can the PFA solve the global problem of dementia? No, it will take more than the PFA, but it's just that we care as much as possible for the old members and participate in the research. But it must also involve FIFA, which has many more resources than us. "
The FA and the PFA are now investing £ 100,000 each year in a study to determine if the incidence of dementia among ex-players is greater than that of the general population, but that will not help anybody who suffers now or will not satisfy those who see his wages and wonder where. the priorities of the resident PFA.
Taylor, however, is adamant that he and the PFA have made a positive contribution to the popularity and success of the game.
"Football is an everyday challenge, which is why it's so difficult to broadcast this type of content in the media, with so many inaccurate mistakes," he said.
"Much of what we do and the thanks we receive is confidential and should be that way. But I think we have been a force for good and one of the best sports unions in the world.
"I feel lucky to have not only been a player, but also a participant who ensures that football remains the most popular spectator and participant sport in the world."
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