Ben Purkiss has insisted his call for an independent review of the Professional Footballers’ Association was never about his desire to usurp Gordon Taylor as chief executive.
Purkiss, the current PFA chairman, joined talkSPORT on Thursday to discuss the news that Taylor will step down after 38 years in charge when independent review of the union’s work and governance has been completed.
Taylor has faced criticism in recent years over his running of the organisation and his reported £2.3million wages.
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Gordon Taylor pictured outside the PFA’s Manchester offices in 1991
Since being appointed chairman in November 2017, Purkiss has clashed with Taylor over the PFA’s direction and the 74-year-old’s future in the role and, at Wednesday’s annual general meeting, it was confirmed a review would take place.
But it was also revealed that, along with Taylor, chairman Purkiss and the rest of the union’s 13-strong management committee will also stand down when it is completed.
Serious questions have since been raised about why the man behind this much-needed reform has been forced out of his job.
And the right-back, who most recently played for Port Vale and Swindon Town, joined talkSPORT host Jim White on Thursday to have his say.
GORDON TAYLOR TO LEAVE PFA ROLE
“People questioned my motivation for taking the stance that I did,†said the 34-year-old.
“I was asked the question whether I had my eye on £2.3million, and I certainly did not.
“I’m more than happy to agree to that [stepping down as well as Taylor] if it allays those fears and makes everyone have more confidence in me, in what I’m doing and how the review is going to progress.
“I want to see the review through and make sure there is someone there who can lead the evolution at the PFA.
“I don’t want to be seen to be trying to implement things for my own gain. It’s never been about me looking at how I can cement my role and position within the organisation, it’s been about trying to represent the members and do my best for players throughout the leagues.
“If it is a price to pay, then that’s fine, but I genuinely believe I’m trying to do my best in the role.â€
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Ben Purkiss, pictured playing for Port Vale in 2016
It has been confirmed that none of the members on the outgoing committee will be able to apply for senior roles at the PFA for five years.
However, Purkiss refused to rule out running for chief executive one day and even offered his support to whoever is selected to succeed Taylor in the role.
“Obviously I would love to stay within the game in some capacity and I’d like to think I can influence and help players in particular,†he added.
“The chief exec job? You would never categorically rule that out, but at the moment the forefront of my mind is making sure I do this job properly and that we really get substantive change at the end of the review.
“I have invested a lot in the PFA.  I massively believe in players and the support they need and hopefully I will leave a legacy and give the PFA a real platform to build on.
“If an incoming chief exec wishes to draw on my experience or wants my assistance, I would obviously more than happy to assist in any way I possibly could.
“But if that’s not as chairman, that’s absolutely fine.â€
Listen back to talkSPORT’s exclusive interview with PFA chairman Ben Purkiss IN FULL above!
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