Ruth tries not to fret about the situation in Hensol and the mess around Jonathan Ford’s departure.
As we all know, just when you think things are going well, life tends to throw the worst at you. The Football Association of Wales can be forgiven for feeling pelted right now. After an unprecedented run of success, things are obviously pretty rocky over at FAW HQ.
Embed from Getty ImagesFord’s Legacy
Jonathan Ford arrived in 2009, moving from Coca Cola where he was European Sports Sponsorship Director. The intervening 11 years have seen Cymru take amazing strides, from obvious on the field success such as Euro 2016 semi-finalists, to hosting the women’s and men’s Champions League Finals in 2017, and the development of facilities such as Colliers Park. The footballing country is clearly in a vastly different place after Ford’s steerage. In December 2009 when he took over the reins, the men’s team was ranked 77th and the women 49th. Now we stand at 18th and 31st. Jonathan Ford’s attention to the women’s game, may be amongst the most profound, and hopefully lasting, parts of his tenure. As Jess Fishlock tweeted today ‘The first CEO to care, invest and want to create change’.
The wheels have come off the bus though. The FAW Council ensured there was no coming back after their 26-5 no confidence vote last month. Driven primarily (one assumes) by the grassroot clubs perceiving a level of inaction on the FAW’s part towards the clubs’ COVID-related financial difficulties. How much more the FAW could be doing is open to debate. An accountant-level scrutiny of finances would be needed to tease that out, but the perception is there, regardless.
The Council’s Questions
Add in the appointment (maybe) of Angela van den Bogerd as the FAW’s ‘Head of People’ and you can see why the Council was asking questions. Having staff on furlough whilst advertising for a new role seems off, regardless of the person appointed. The FAW have never actually confirmed van den Bogerd’s appointment last December. Though lots of press speculation suggests it’s the case. Given her record as Post Office Director, where she was described as having ‘obfuscated’ and ‘misled’ the Horizon IT investigation by high court judge Peter Fraser, the whole situation at the FAW just gets murkier.
As a fan, I don’t want the upheaval, but I’m glad the Council are asking questions. That’s their responsibility as our representatives at the FAW after all.
And so, Jonathan Ford is gone, or at least on his way out the door. Thankfully, there’s a wrapping up period during March, rather than an immediate exit.
Cymru being temporarily without a CEO, would in itself be a concern but not a crisis. However, add in the search for a women’s senior team manager (a little relative sanity in this whole mess) and the open issue that is Ryan Giggs’ legal situation, and the folks holding things together in Hensol would be forgiven for wondering what’s next.
Getting Back on Track
In the short term, it’s been confirmed (finally on March 10th) that Page will lead the team in this window. I’d assume he’s been planning for that, even if no one actually asked him! We have had an amazing decade with unprecedented development, and overall, the FAW deserve plaudits. Right now, the organisation needs strong leadership across the board, but is being wounded on multiple fronts. I feel for the folks holding the steady course and trying to ensure we’re ready for crucial World Cup qualifying games and a summer tournament, not to mention the devastated state of football clubs across the country.
Embed from Getty ImagesThere are no quick and easy solutions here, and some elements at least are outside the FAW’s control. But improved communication on what’s planned going forward would do a great deal to allay concerns. The FAW have been outstanding communicators recently. I think they need to shine the same light on the organisation that they shine on the players, and show us what’s going on and what’s next.
Photo credit Umbro Pro Logo https://www.flickr.com/photos/umbrofootball/4881797940/