The role of The FA Council is to futureproof the game for all, which it does by utilising the skills, knowledge and experience of the various stakeholders in football to consider some of the major issues in the game, such as refereeing, facilities and coach education.
The Council comprises representatives from different constituencies of the game from professional to grassroots, including County FAs, the Premier League, EFL, the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, various leagues within the male and female National League System, managers, players, the education sector and supporters.
The FA Council Membership 2026-27
Chair
D Hewitt MBE (2022)
Life/Senior Vice-Presidents
G Thompson, OBE, JP (1979), Sheffield & Hallamshire FA
JJ Waterall (1986), Nottinghamshire FA
CJ Saunders (1982), Independent Schools FA
MM Armstrong (1985), Huntingdonshire FA
PS Hough (1988), Dorset FA
D Henson (1986), Devon FA
B Walden (1991), Northamptonshire FA
CB Taylor (1991), Barnsley FC
Vice-Presidents
PJ Clayton (1997), Middlesex FA
MC Frost (2005), Huntingdonshire FA
D Simpson (2007), Shropshire FA
Divisional Representatives
1.Vacant
2. M Turner, (2022) Accrington Stanley FC
3. A Shaw (2009, 2012), Altrincham FC
4. Vacant
5. P Douglas (2021), Rotherham Utd FC
6. P Hough (2012-2014, 2024), Scunthorpe Utd FC
7. C Johnson (2021), Aveley FC
8. C Reeves (2012), Poole Town FC
9. Vacant
10. Vacant
County Association Representatives
Amateur Football Alliance: J Leese (2018)
Army: G Brookland (2023)
Bedfordshire: A Young (2023)
Berks & Bucks J Horsley (2022)
Birmingham: K Shoemake (2022)
Cambridgeshire: P Hill (2020)
Cheshire: C Garlick (2018)
Cornwall: J Fabby (2026)
Cumberland: B Snowdon (2023)
Derbyshire: L Rooney (2026)
Devon: T Sampson (2017)
Dorset: S Whittle (2009)
Durham: JC Topping (2007)
East Riding: J Suddards (2013)
English Schools: M Coyne (2025)
Essex: A Chaplin (2021)
Gloucestershire: H Patel (2025)
Hampshire: M Robinson CBE (2025)
Herefordshire: P Tompkins (2015)
Hertfordshire: R Smith (2026)
Huntingdonshire: MC Frost (2005)
Independent Schools: S Abbott (2022)
Kent: D Haden (2024)
Lancashire: D Flory CBE (2023)
Leicestershire & Rutland: J Clarke (2026)
Lincolnshire: S Jaehrig (2019)
Liverpool: I Wild (2021)
London: Y Harun BEM (2021)
Manchester: C Bridgford (2016)
Middlesex: K Saunders (2025)
Norfolk: M Banham (2021)
Northamptonshire: N Griffin (2022)
North Riding: B Casterton (2020)
Northumberland: A Cook (2025)
Nottinghamshire: R Somerville (2026)
Oxfordshire: C Kane (2023)
Royal Air Force: Wg Cdr J Ochuodho (2023)
Royal Navy: S Johnson (2014)
Sheffield & Hallamshire: M Gilmour (2021)
Shropshire: D Simpson (2007)
Somerset & Avon: P Chaplin (2020)
Staffordshire: A Evans (2022)
Suffolk: J Mulcahy (2026)
Surrey: S Briggs (2024)
Sussex: G Rooney (2025)
Westmorland: P Ducksbury (2018)
West Riding: M Heap (2024)
Wiltshire: S Russell (2024)
Women’s Football Conference: H Miller (2023) and P Preston (2025)
Worcestershire: N Trigg (2023)
Representatives of The Premier League
P Barber OBE (2016-2017, 2018), Brighton & Hove Albion FC
C Crown (2021), Brentford FC
A Kinnear (2024-2025, 2026), Everton FC
N Randall KC (2020), Nottingham Forest FC
R Garlick (2014-2016, 2022), Arsenal FC
D Mistry (2023), Premier League
R Caplehorn (2016-2026, 2026), Premier League
Representatives of The English Football League
R Parry (2019), Football League
Z Webber (2021), Norwich City FC
N Bausor (2022), Middlesbrough FC
L Dooley (2025), Shrewsbury Town FC
S Curwood (2016), Fleetwood Town FC
L Scully (2024), Lincoln City FC
J Flatman (2024), Barnsley FC
Other Representatives
The National League: N Coward (2014/2013, 2026), P Alexander (2012/2013, 2014-2017, 2018-2022, 2025)
The Northern Premier League: A Firth (2026)
The Southern League: D Martin (2011-2014, 2023)
The Isthmian League: N Robinson (2008)
Referees’ Association: H Conley (2025)
PGMOL: R Welch (2024), H Webb (2023)
General Referees Representative: J Lee (2025)
League Managers’ Association: L Gordon (2023)
Professional Footballers Association: M Molango (2022)
Supporters’ Representative: C Paouros (2021), T Greatrex (2018)
Disability Football Representative: C Chaytors (2008), D Clarke OBE (2017)
Disability Football Match Official: Vacant
British Universities College Sport: S Bell-Minogue (2023)
Association of Colleges: J Maher (2019)
FA Youth Council: J Moore (2025)
National League System Steps 5 and 6: D Richmond (2020) & C Conlon (2024)
Futsal: G Dell (2017) & 1 x Vacant
Women’s Super League 1 & 2: C Brough (2025), L Sanders (2020), M Kpedekpo (2026), H Murdoch (2026)
Women’s Football (Tiers 3&4): F Allen (2024)
Women’s Football (Tiers 5-7): G Petts (2020), C Morton (2024)
Football Communities Representatives: D Davies, J Khan, A Baker, A Ajibola, S Walters, K Simmons, G Perry, K Discipline, S Thompson MBE
Chief Executive Officer: M Bullingham (2019)
