Harrogate lawyer to fill five new FA roles

Mr McCormick, who is senior partner of McCormicks Solicitors in Harrogate and is recognised as one of the leading sports lawyers in the UK, is one of two Premier League members of the FA Board and has worked with the Premier League for more than 20 years.

He has now been appointed Chairman of the FA International Committee, responsible for managing FA representation at England matches away from Wembley – effectively giving him a ticket to every England international game around the world, including during the forthcoming Euro 2016 tournament.

He has also been made a member of the FA Football Regulatory Authority, which is responsible for regulatory, disciplinary and rule-making for football played in England; the FA Committees Appointment Panel, which examines applications to become a member of any FA Committee; and the FA Protocol Committee, which determines all issues relating to the privileges of Council members, liaises on issues affecting the relationship between Council members and staff and considers applications for membership to the Council.

His new roles are completed by his appointment to the FA Remuneration Committee which rules on remuneration for senior staff and appointments at the FA.

Historically, the FA has elected its representatives from the member clubs, meaning that Mr McCormick’s appointments mark a departure from established practice. So what have they been missing all this time?

“I’ve been a director of a Premier League club [Leeds United] and I’ve been involved in the game for over 20 years. They’re getting someone who understands the game and what we’re trying to achieve,” said Mr McCormick.

“I also bring the dispassionate view of the lawyer, so that when the others are all getting carried away with an idea, I can say ‘hang on, there could be legal implications to this’.

“The lawyer in me always calms down the football fan in me!”