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Walsall's Ben Purkiss calls for evolution at PFA

Walsall footballer Ben Purkiss has thrown the Professional Footballers' Association into a civil war after demanding the body is modernised.

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The defender, who is in his second stint with the Saddlers, has combined his footballing duties with being chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) since November 2017.

Now though the 34-year-old has called for the PFA to use a slice of the £50million that sits in its reserves to finance an independent governance review.

Purkiss believes the super-rich union could do more to help players who struggle with mental health of problems or other issues after they leave the game.

But his views have seemingly put him at loggerheads with long-standing PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, who has held his post for 37-years.

"I want the PFA to be innovative, to represent the needs of its members, to strengthen our relationship with the players, and strengthen our relationship with the other stakeholders," Purkiss said.

"We've got £50m in the bank and I have no idea why.

"We've had the same CEO for nearly 40 years. Have we moved with the times? Isn't it time we had a full and comprehensive review?

"I first said this three years ago. It seemed to be what everyone else was doing across British sport. It was about modernising. It was about best practice. About implementing rules that benefit the members.

"'If you don't do that what are you there to do? I'm trying to help us cater for the needs of the modern footballer, and it's being met with resistance and I don't know why."

Purkiss believes his ideas to modernise the PFA have not just been met with resistance — he claims they have been met with an attempt to remove him from office.

The defender, who has to be contracted as a footballer to continue in his role as PFA Chairman, resigned for Walsall on non-contract terms this season.

But in a letter sent to the 92 clubs that make up the Premier League and Football League, Mr Taylor said he had adjourned the union’s AGM while raising the issue of Purkiss’ eligibility as chairman.

“There is a current issue which we are dealing with regarding the position of Ben Purkiss and his eligibility to remain as chairman and we have taken the decision to adjourn this meeting (AGM),” Taylor said in the letter.

Purkiss though is adamant the organisation needs reform.

“I have a duty to act in the best interests of the PFA," he added.

"Sometimes you have to make a stand for what is right.

"Football is rapidly evolving, players are rapidly evolving and the PFA needs to evolve too.

"Players past, present and future need a PFA for the modern player.”