Board & Staff
Chair of the Board
Independent Non-Executive Director (Women and Girls')
Karen Bardsley
Karen Bardsley, who has represented England on 81 occasions, is the first professional footballer to sit on a County FA’s Board of Directors.
Senior Non-Executive Director
Chris Brindley MBE
After Executive roles with NatWest, British Gas and Metro Bank, Chris now has a portfolio of NED and Chair roles in Business and Sport. He also is a global keynote speaker and Executive Coach.
He is Chair of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, Senior NED at the Rugby Football League, ( RFL ) a Board member of the Super League, Senior NED of the Manchester Football Association, NED at Equilibrium LLP and Chair of the Sporting House Group.
From an Executive coaching perspective, Chris is the Leadership and Business Coach at Metro Bank, Switch the Play, Athlete Inspire Programme and Goodson Thomas. Chris has coached Executives from companies such as Heineken, Muller, Telent and Halfords. Chris is also a Business Mentor for the Premier League, Elite Academy Managers Programme.
Chris describes himself not as a theorist, but a skilled and experienced practitioner. He is a leading authority on Performance Management, Strategy, Customer Experience and Employee Engagement; particularly within organisations where change is a feature.
Executive Director
Rebecca Britain
Rebecca Britain joined Manchester FA's Board of Directors in March 2020.
Rebecca is currently Club Secretary for Manchester United, a position she has held since March 2018. Prior to her role with Manchester United, Rebecca was Football Secretary at Tottenham Hotspur for over 18 years, and before that, worked in West Ham United's Community Scheme.
Independent Non-Executive Director
Will Blandamer
Will currently works for Manchester Local Care Organisation, the organisation responsible for local care in Manchester. Manchester LCO also works to integrate health and care services in neighbourhoods across Manchester.
Will is a senior public service manager working in NHS and local authority services, focusing on integrating health and care and wider public services, improving population health and reducing health inequalities, and believing in the power of individuals and communities to be supported to be in control of their lives.
In his spare time, Will works as the Chairman of a grassroots football club which is affiliated to Cheshire FA.
Independent Non-Executive Director
Anthony Lawler MCIPD
Anthony has gained more than 37 years of HR experience across both the private and public sectors. The majority of his career has been spent at senior and executive level in the sporting sector, including more than two decades at Manchester United Football Club.
He now works as Human Resources Director for People Horizons, where he has provided strategic HR support to companies in the FMCG, engineering, professional PR, real estate and sporting sectors.
Anthony is a generalist with across the board expertise in both strategic and operational HR activities, including employee engagement, talent management, reward, organisational development/design, learning & development, equality & inclusion and safeguarding.
Independent Non-Executive Director
Geraldine Ryan
Geraldine leads CMS UK’s Manchester office, where she leads a team of litigators and works with colleagues from across the firm.
Geraldine has almost 30 years' experience in handling all types of high-profile, high-value and complex litigation, including judicial review and arbitration.
She specialises in commercial dispute resolution, breach of contract and professional negligence claims and regularly advises clients regarding contractual termination issues. She has successfully represented clients in the Court of Appeal in two significant contractual cases on contract interpretation and restraint of trade.
Geraldine is also recognised for defamation and reputation management issues and was one of a very small number based outside London who acted in the phone hacking claims.
She has advised clients on competition law issues, including advice for a large corporate client in respect of potential abuses of dominant position, issues surrounding restrictive covenants in leases and separately in respect of the development of out of town shopping centres.
In 2017, the Manchester Evening News listen Geraldine as one of their Top 100 Inspirational Women. She sits as a Judge on the MEN Business of the Year Awards, and is a regular speaker at sport and business events, where she advocates the role of women in sport and business.
Independent Non-Executive Director
Dr Robina Shah MBE JP DL FRCGP (HONS) SHFEA
Robina is a Chartered Consultant Psychologist, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Doubleday Centre for Patient Experience in the Division of Medical Education, University of Manchester.
She is an established author with a specialist interest in the practice of psychosocial medicine, person centred care and supporting children with a learning disability.
She is also passionate about promoting young people and involving them in decisions about their education, health and mental well-being.
Executive Director
Elliot Ward
Elliot is an experienced PR, corporate communications, media relations and public affairs professional, with expertise in the sports industry.
He is currently PR Manager at Manchester City Football Club where he is responsible for ‘off the pitch’ PR, corporate communications and public affairs. Elliot also supports communications activities globally for Manchester City and City Football Group’s network of clubs.
Prior to this, Elliot was appointed as Manchester City Women’s first Communications Manager and led on all aspects of communications during an unprecedented period of success for the club. In his time at Manchester City, Elliot has also worked within the club’s Media Relations department.
Elliot is an award-winning graduate with BA (Hons) Politics and Modern History and MA Political Science - European Politics and Policy, from the University of Manchester.
In addition to his role at Manchester City, Elliot is an Executive Director at Manchester FA where he provides counsel and advice in the areas of marketing and communications.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & Our game in manchester chairs
John McLellan-Grant (Chair), Jason Craven (Vice Chair), Chris Brindley MBE (Senior Non-Executive Director), Colin Bridgford (Director & Company Secretary).
Rebecca Britain (Independent Non Executive Director), Elliot Ward (Director), Will Blandamer (Independent Non Executive Director & Safeguarding Champion), Geraldine Ryan (Independent Non-Executive Director), Anthony Lawler (Independent Non-Executive Director), Dr Robina Shah MBE, JP (Independent Non-Executive Director), Karen Bardsley (Independent Non-Executive Director).
FA Representative: Colin Bridgford
Tania Brown (Safeguarding Champion)
Paul Graham (Referee Development Team)
Shannon Howarth (Women & Girls Group)
Keith Marsden (League Working Group)
Rob Goodwin-Davey (Competitions Working Group)
Mike Richmond (Membership)
Matt Fox-Rees (Membership)
STAFF
Colin Bridgford
Chief Executive Officer & Senior Safeguarding Lead
Supports: Manchester United
Role: To lead the Manchester FA team and ensure the business represents the needs of its members.
07403 731813
Lauren McCorry
Designated Safeguarding Officer
Supports: Manchester United
Role: To act as a source of advice on safeguarding matters. But also support training and education.
07824 491994
Rachael Birchall
Chief Operating Officer
Supports: Bedford Town
Role: To deliver a Football Development Strategy and develop strong partnerships with key stakeholders.
07341 885143
Rachael.Birchall@ManchesterFA.com
Linda Meehan
Finance Controller
Supports: Manchester United
Role: To manage the finance across the whole of the business and ensure it is financially sound.
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andy Baker
Football Development Manager
Supports: Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Role: To support members in their continual development to sustain and grow new provision. Manages all FDOs
07824 761 155
Paul Roots
Football Services Manager
Supports: AFC Bournemouth
Role: Manages the Discipline, Membership, County Competition, Regulatory and Customer Services functions of Manchester FA.
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Andy McAnulty
Football Services Officer (Discipline & Membership)
Supports: Hyde United
Role: Administers all aspects of Manchester FA discipline cases.
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James Longdin
Coach Development Officer
Supports: Manchester City
Role: To work closely with the County Coach Educator to deliver bespoke courses.
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Sarah Cummings
Football Development Officer (Clubs & Leagues)
Supports: Manchester United
Role: To work closely with our Charter Standard clubs on developing plans to support participation and enhance opportunities for volunteers.
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Tom Elliott
Referee Development Officer
Supports: Crewe Alexandra
Role: Recruit, retain and develop referees of all levels across Greater Manchester.
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Conor Brown
Football Services Officer (Appointments & Compliance)
Supports: Rochdale AFC
Role: To work closely with the Referee Development Officer and Designated Safeguarding Officer to support over 200 Match Officials in Greater Manchester with appointments and other participants who are under the age of 18 with safeguarding support and compliance.
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Alex West
Football Development Officer (For All)
Supports: Manchester City
Role:To support football development across Greater Manchester.
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Olivia Laiker
Football Development Officer
(Women & Girls)
Supports: Manchester City
Role: To provide support and develop member clubs and leagues in Greater Manchester.
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Chris Berrevoets
Football Services Officer (Competitions & Membership)
Supports: Arsenal
Role: To work closely with the Football Development and Competitions teams to provide administration support.
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