Swindon Town's Ben Purkiss named new chairman of PFA

The Professional Footballers' Association has confirmed Swindon Town defender Ben Purkiss as its new chairman.

Purkiss gave his first speech in his new role on Wednesday by addressing club delegates gathered at the PFA Annual General Meeting at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

He was elected as chairman by the current PFA Management Committee, of which he has been a member of for the past five years.

Purkiss succeeds fellow Yorkshireman Ritchie Humphreys, who will now take up a role in the PFA's Delegate Liaison department.

He started his career at Sheffield United before spells at York City, Oxford United, Walsall and Port Vale will take up the role with immediate effect.

Purkiss said: "It's difficult to describe. I'm proud, honoured. You look back through the list of chairs and there haven't been that many. I'm really looking forward to doing my best for players up and down the country. I've been part of the management committee for five years and supported Ritchie, so I'm not coming in blind. I understand the scale of the role and I'm not daunted by it."

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor added: "We congratulate Ben on his selection as chairman and feel sure his vast experience as a player and management committee member make him eminently suitable for the position.

"Ben is articulate, forward thinking and knowledgeable about the Association and very well respected in the game amongst his fellow professionals, showing all the characteristics you need to be a chairman of the PFA.

"We look forward to working together in the future development of the PFA. I also wish to thank Ritchie Humphreys for his outstanding contribution to the PFA as a player, Management Committee member and Chairman and we are delighted he is going to continue to work with us in the Delegate Liaison department."