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by **Reg** » Mon May 17, 2010 9:53 pm

Wigan chief backs David Gill and Rick Parry for FA role
By Saj Chowdhury BBC

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has called for the Football Association to appoint either Rick Parry or David Gill as Lord Triesman's successor as its chairman.

Gill is Manchester United's chief executive while Parry held the same position at Liverpool.

"Gill and Parry both know how to run a big club. I like Parry in particular, he's a proper football man," Whelan told BBC Sport.

Ex-Tottenham chairman Lord Sugar has already thrown his hat into the ring.

Gill, who arrived at Old Trafford as financial director in 1997, is a highly respected figure within the game and has been chief executive of the Red Devils since Peter Kenyon left for Chelsea in 2003.

Despite his criticism of the Glazers prior to their takeover of United in 2005, Gill was retained as one of the club's key figures and the Red Knights, who have been linked with making a bid for the deposed Premier League champions, have indicated they would wish to keep the 52-year-old on.

Parry, who was Premier League chief executive between 1992 and 1998, left Liverpool in 2009 after 11 years at Anfield.

I am told that at least one other newspaper was offered the story and turned it down

He is currently heading a new sporting betting integrity panel which was organised by the previous UK government.

"The FA should have someone steeped in football tradition and he should be streetwise," added Whelan.

But neither Gill nor Parry may be handed the opportunity after The Apprentice TV star Sugar said he would like to take the role that was vacated by Triesman at the weekend.

Triesman was caught up in a newspaper sting suggesting Spain could drop its bid if rival bidder Russia helped bribe referees at this summer's World Cup.

His resignation came two months after Ian Watmore quit as FA chief executive following disagreements with senior figures on the board.

Sugar, who was Tottenham chairman for 10 years, stated that it would be a "great honour" to fill the vacancy.

However, Whelan suggested that the FA needed to be "very, very careful" when deciding who to appoint.

"He's obviously experienced," the Wigan chairman said of Sugar.

The Premier League should run Wembley and the England team

"The FA has tried ex-politicians and Lords in the past. The role of chairman of the FA is very difficult."

"There are a lot of things to do there and the organisation is in a lot of debt," he said.

The debt the Wigan chief referred to was that incurred following the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium, which is reported to be more than £320m.

With this in mind, Whelan reiterated his view that the England national team should be managed by the Premier League.

"England are so important - we want them to be the best team and the best run team," he continued.

"The FA runs football from amateur to professional level, but I think it should concentrate on running the amateur game and let the professionals run the professional game.

"At the moment the FA is having to host concerts and whatever else to pay off the Wembley debt. Wembley should be the home of just football.

"The Premier League is the only organisation that can afford to pay off that debt - even though it will take four to five years. It should run Wembley and the England team."

by **RED BEERGOGGLES** » Mon May 17, 2010 10:09 pm

Has a lot to say Whelan doesn't he

by **Owzat** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:43 am

RED BEERGOGGLES wrote:Has a lot to say Whelan doesn't he

A lot of chairmen and managers alike have way too much to say. That t'wat that came out with the proposal of having two Premiership divisions and inviting the old infirm for one, chairman of Bolton perhaps?

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