Help keep our game safe

Manchester FA appoint new Independent Non-Executive Director to the Board of Directors

Will Blandamer appointed to the Board of Directors at Manchester FA

The Board of Directors today appointed Will Blandamer as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Will joins with immediate effect and will underatke the role as Safeguarding Board Champion.  

Will is the Director of Health Strategy for Wigan Council and Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group, and has responsibility for the work of the Adults and Childrens Safeguarding Boards for the borough. In his role Will has led the delivery and reform of the boards work and created effective partnerships to help keep adults and children safe. He has helped significantly raise the profile of safeguarding with an understanding that safeguarding children’s and adults is everyone’s business.  Away from Wigan Council Will is the Chair of Ashton on Mersey FC, in Trafford, with a wealth of grassroots experience which will provide additional football strength to our Board.


Will spoke of his appointment:

It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve on the board of Manchester FA.  Ensuring that everyone who participates in football is safe and supported to be the best they can be in a positive environment is a responsibility that Manchester FA clearly takes very seriously and I look forward to working with officers,  board colleagues, clubs, and leagues and the wider community to realise this ambition.

Colin Bridgford CEO and Senior Safeguarding Lead for Manchester FA spoke of Will’s appointment: 

Safeguarding all who participate in the game in Greater Manchester is the number one priority for Manchester FA and we must do all what we can to ensure Safeguarding is at the Heart of everything we do.  This starts at the highest level of our organisation and the appointment of Will to our board illustrates the commitment that we have to Safeguarding.  I am delighted that someone of Will’s calibre has agreed to join us and support the team here at Manchester FA and most importantly grassroots football within Greater Manchester.

The role of Safeguarding Board Champion is vitally important for Manchester FA. We are proyud to have fully met the operating standards that have been establised by The Football Association which led us to identify further opportunities to build on our processes and structure. Our first priority for 2018/19 season was to identify and recruit an expert within the field of Safeguarding to report to the Board and Will was identied as the ideal candidate to join us.

In his role as Safeguarding Board Champion he will:

• Ensure that Manchester FA acts at all time in keeping with legislation and guidance.
• Check and challenge that the interests of young people are paramount in our activities.
• Ensure all our team profiles have Safeguarding embedded.
• Ensure we put the welfare of a child first.

For all information relating to Safeguarding in Football within Greater Manchester, CLICK HERE!