FRUSTRATED WATMORE QUITS FA

FRUSTRATED WATMORE QUITS FA

Ian Watmore has resigned as chief executive of the Football Association in a shock move that has served to underline the divisions between the organisation and the Premier League.

Watmore had been in the post for only a year but had become increasingly frustrated with his proposals for change being blocked.

He opposed the slow-moving committee structure of the FA, and could not reach agreement with Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards on a number of issues.

Although relations between the two organisations have improved during the last 12 months, Watmore felt that Richards, who sits on a number of FA committees, consistently blocked decisions. Taken in isolation, none of the issues involved were major.

The reasons behind Watmore's decision came as a surprise to some in the Premier League as chief executive Richard Scudamore had got on well with him.

An emergency FA board meeting has been called for on Tuesday to discuss the resignation and the appointment of Watmore's successor.

An FA spokesman said: "Ian has made his decision but has been very clear it was not about personalities."

Reports of conflict between Watmore and FA chairman Lord Triesman did surface towards the end of last week but informed sources insist that was in no way the reason for the chief executive's resignation.

Indeed, Triesman spent the weekend trying to persuade Watmore to withdraw the resignation letter he handed in on Friday.

Triesman said: "Ian Watmore tendered his resignation to me on Friday.

"I asked him to reconsider over the weekend.

"However, he has confirmed today that his position remains unchanged and I have accepted it with great regret. There will be a board meeting tomorrow at noon. I am unable to make any further comment until after that meeting."

If Watmore had had second thoughts about resigning they were swiftly dispelled after details of an email sent out to FA members about the appointment of new communications director Julian Eccles was leaked at the weekend - something that infuriated him.

In response to the leak, Watmore sent out an angry email to board members, several of whom were in turn infuriated by the tone of the email and resolved to bring it up at the emergency board meeting om Tuesday.

Watmore's resignation means there will be now be a seventh chief executive within little more than 10 years: Graham Kelly, David Davies (in an acting capacity), Adam Crozier, Mark Palios, Brian Barwick, Watmore and his successor.

Watmore joined the FA having served as permanent secretary for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills in the latest in a number of civil service roles. While in Government he worked in the same department as Lord Triesman. Prior to 2004, he had worked in IT for 24 years.

A fan of Arsenal and Altrincham, he is very much a football man and had managed to revive the National Football Centre at Burton and also organise the new Women's Premier League due to start next year.