BRIAN Barwick hopes improved on-pitch behaviour will be the legacy of his time as FA chief executive.
Barwick will leave at the end of December after failing to resolve his differences with Lord Triesman, the Labour peer, who took over as FA chairman in January. Rather than take stock of an organisation that has always been viewed as ultra-conservati
ve, Lord Triesman has whistled through Soho Square like a whirlwind.
Barwick has been uprooted by the storm and with key elements of his job changing almost weekly, both parties realised it would be impossible to maintain a long-term partnership, triggering Wednesday night's announcement, which came just after England's tame draw with the Czech Republic.
If nothing else, at least Barwick could look on with pride as England's players kept their composure after his role as the architect of the 'Respect' campaign launched to offer beleaguered referees support.
"We have moved the organisation on leaps and bounds, and that is really important," he said. "If I have a genuine legacy – and we were sitting in a big stadium last night – the Respect programme is very special to me. In this sort of job you have an opportunity to make a difference – and if I, in a very small way, improved behaviour on and off the pitch, that will do me."
Despite his background – or maybe because of it – Barwick has not craved contact with the press, which may mean his work will be viewed in a negative light. However, his list of credits is extensive. Wembley, Respect, record television deals, the National Football Centre in Burton, improved coaching at junior levels. Barwick can take some of the plaudits for all these developments.
For many though, the FA is about England, where Barwick was responsible for the public courting of Luiz Felipe Scolari before the shambolic reign of Steve McClaren.
The full article contains 320 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
