Completing our journey through the last 100 years of PFA endeavour and achievement - a Century on and still going strong...just about says it all really.
1990: The first significant moves to amalgamate the FA and the Football League into one body. It was a precursor of the Premier League, but suggested by the Football League rather than the FA.
1992: Creation of Premiership. Armed with a mandate from all delegates at the 1991 AGM and reinforced by the strength of a strike ballot amongst the Division One members conducted in March 1992, giving the Union over 90 per cent support, the PFA ensures that all previous contracts and regulations affecting and protecting players remain in place. The PFA also secures an increased share of TV income.
1993 The PFA commissions its own report into coaching in the English game, feeling that the FA Coaching scheme has not encouraged the recruitment of former players for the teaching of skills and excellence. The PFA forms its own Coaching Department under Paul Power. Along with the Commission for Racial Equality, the PFA initiates Anti-Racism Campaign in Football.
1994 PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor is appointed President of FIFPro, the international body of Players' Unions.
1995 The Report, 'A Kick in the Right Direction', is published, leading to far greater consultation between the FA and the PFA in player and coach development. The Jean Marc Bosman judgement means European nationals can move without a fee once out of contract, to another European Union country. No limits on EU players. The PFA accepts an invitation to rejoin the TUC.
1996 PFA wins another battle for TV cash in a dispute with the Football League. From October 1997, PFA to receive £7.5m per year.
1997 New retain and transfer system comes into force. After almost a century, players regain their literal freedom of movement at the end of a contract.
1998 PFA make representations to Office of Fair Trading for retention of TV agreement between BSkyB and the Premiership, under threat from EU anti-competition rules, and a year on the PFA opposes salary-cap moves being suggested by Football League clubs in attempt to cut costs.
1999 PFA purchases Lowry painting Going to the Match for £1.9M, a record for a modern British artist.
2000 Cliff Lloyd, legendary Players' Union Secretary, who started working for the Union in 1953, dies. Tributes paid by Jimmy Hill and Gordon Taylor.
2000 PFA website www.givemefootball.com is launched in Manchester. PFA and FIFPRO agree a new international transfer system with FIFA and UEFA and the European Commission. Worldwide freedom of movement, transfer windows and a new FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber with equal representation on judges panel of players representatives.
2001 PFA calls strike ballot in TV monies dispute with the Premier League, the Football League and the Football Association. PFA reaches agreement with footballing bodies over television monies giving a long-term deal protecting the future of the Union - over 93 per cent of Ballot Forms returned and over 99 per cent supported the Union. A ten-year agreement is struck and initial offer improved from £5 million to £17.5 million.
2002 Collapse of ITV Digital causes financial chaos among Football League clubs. PFA help Bradford City survive by protecting players contracts via collective agreement with FL. Brendon Batson MBE, leaves the PFA after serving for 20 years
2005 Chief Executive Gordon Taylor steps down as FIFPro President after 13 years. PFA successfully stage first FIFPro World Player Awards in London.
2006 Government legislation regarding retirement age threatens the PFAs pension system whereby professional players can retire at 35. New minimum retirement age is 55 and the PFA non-contributory and contributory schemes are combined and if a player contributes 3.75 per cent of wages then the club will match this.
2007 Independent Football Commission challenges the Stevens Inquiry Report and strongly recommends that the PFA be involved as agents for players in all transfer negotiations. PFA introduces Education magazine New Goals, Community magazine Profile to go with its successful Players Club magazine.
2007 PFA Centenary Launch in January at Manchester Town Hall.
