Dave Kitson has labelled the current set-up at the Professional Players’ Association an ‘absolute shambles’ as the former Reading striker underlined his ambition to oust Gordon Taylor as chief executive.
The 40-year-old has launched a 10-point manifesto to overhaul the players’ union, something he’s been working on for 18 months.
The retired striker says his extensive knowledge of the Football League means he is the perfect candidate to replace Taylor when the time comes.
“I’ve been down through every single league in my professional career. I’ve seen the fallout of this game and I’ve been let down personally by the PFA time and time again,” he told talkSPORT.
“This isn’t something that I decided to do yesterday, I’ve been working on it for about 18 months hence the comprehensive proposal that has come out at.
“Some of the things I’ve heard from current and ex players are astonishing Natalie [Sawyer].
“It’s scandalous what is going on at that organisation and somebody needs to step in and change it.
“I’ve spoken to probably 300 players and three quarters of them have had no interaction with the PFA.
“The PFA don’t know where they are, they have lost all of their contact details. It’s an absolute shambles.
“We all need to pull together to give Sports Resolution the most amount of information possible in regards to the current investigation. Three quarters of players haven’t even received this email.”
Taylor, who has been in office for 39 years, announced in March 2019 that he would step down as chief executive of the PFA once an independent review had been completed.
Kitson has thrown his hat into the ring to replace Taylor, who earns in the region of £2m-a-year, with the chief executive’s position the subject of 14 of 101 questions on a range of topics that Kitson wants the PFA to answer.
And one of those is the staggering figure that Taylor receives per annum from the PFA, which Kitson says equates to eight per cent of their yearly turnover.
“I’m ashamed to be a member. The union’s handing of COVID-19 has been nothing short of a disgrace,” he added.
“They’ve shown how irrelevant and out of touch they are. It’s such a shame that it takes something as serious as this, which is touching everyone around the world, to show the worst of a union that should be protecting us.
“In terms of the players that are playing right now, I haven’t spoken to a player who has a good word to say about Gordon Taylor, but more worryingly about the PFA.
“Half of them just laugh if you ask them if the PFA has helped them.
“I’ve released 10 key policy points in the proposal. I’m the biggest critic of Gordon Taylor’s wage, I just find it a disgrace that a union leader should be paid that much money. It’s eight per cent of the PFA’s total turnover.
“Nobody needs that amount of money to run the PFA. It is criminal. The PFA brag on their Instagram account they spend £2m-a-year on mental health. That’s about half a million less than Gordon Taylor’s annual wage.
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“So what’s their agenda here? Gordon Taylor’s wage or the mental health of their members they are supposed to be looking after.”
“The chance to stand as leader and replace Gordon Taylor will not come immediately,” he concluded.
“An election will not take place until the Sport Resolutions independent review is completed. But players do have the chance to speak out now.
“Many are unaware that Naomi Ellenbogen QC, chair of the commission, has asked all players to contribute, confidentially, to her group’s work, through a link which is accessible through the members’ area of the PFA website.
“I urge players to contribute to the process, share experiences and ensure that this review is not dominated by the voices of the same old self-appointed few.
“We need the commission to report quickly and comprehensively. Nothing less than an overhaul is needed.
“The time to begin driving it is here and now. I urge players everywhere to join me and create a union we can all be proud of.”
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