Source: Daily_Mail
Charles Sale: Mr Bean loses out in FA election feud
Graham Bean, the Football Association's former sleazebuster compliance chief, failed yesterday in a disturbing attempt to oust one of the FA's most senior councillors because of a personal dispute.
Barry Taylor, a member of the International Committee who was chairman of the FA Cup group last season, narrowly beat Doncaster Rovers chairman John Ryan 9-8 in the 18-club election for the FA divisional representation for Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
Bean, who now runs the Football Factors agency that represents clubs facing disciplinary charges, made no secret of master-minding Ryan's campaign against Taylor, which included dirty tricks allegations that he jumped the gun in seeking nominations from clubs.
The football detective's feud with Taylor escalated when Bean was banned from his local club Barnsley after declaring in the local newspaper that it was a waste of time fighting the FA's mindblowing decision not to charge Sheffield United's Chris Morgan after his elbow challenge left Barnsley's Iain Hulme with a fractured skull.
The Taylor camp expected Bean, who was confidently proclaiming that his chosen candidate had won during the week, to mount an appeal if Ryan lost and this immediately happened with a frivolous objection about a club not voting correctly.
Barnsley director Taylor has held the FA divisional post since 1991 and his distinguished service has put him in line to become an FA life vice-president next year which is one of the reasons why Derby County's Adam Pearson decided not to stand.
FA paranoia has sunk to a landmark low over the Wembley pitch debacle. The departure of sacked groundsman Steve Welch was dressed up as having happened by 'mutual consent' after a pay-off figure was agreed.
Yet first, Wembley tried to dismiss Welch for gross misconduct without compensation just because an email asking for advice had been sent via his company phone to a journalist friend.
Now Carl Pass, whose Sheffield-based Premier Pitches have put down what appears to be a suitable surface for a national stadium, would like to trumpet his accomplishment.
But Pass has been heavily gagged from talking to the media about what is highly positive news especially on the eve of the Cup Final by his barmy Wembley employers.
It seemed a perfectly fair question to ask whether Manchester United's Gary Neville (right), with his famous dislike of Scousers, will be at Wembley this afternoon to watch brother Phil captain Everton in the FACup Final.
But it certainly seemed to exercise the ever likeable Gary, whose response relayed via father Neville was two words, the second being 'off'.
Neville Snr was a shade more helpful saying Gary hadn't watched Everton play this season.
At least the FA will do all the protocol trimmings around the Cup Final a lot better than chaotic UEFA after the Champions League Final.The captain of the winning side will be first up the steps to receive the FA Cup.
In contrast, manager Sir Alex Ferguson led the United runners-up to receive their medals in Rome, while victors Barcelona had president Juan Laporta first in line, followed by coach Pep Guardiola, despite UEFA supposedly scrapping the ridiculed administrator involvement.
And Barcelona formed a medal ceremony guard of honour for the losers, who then just stood around in a group rather than reciprocating the tribute.
The Rome defeat meant that Manchester United were not in a position to cash in on selling exclusive pictures of manager Sir Alex Ferguson and his players with the quadruple set of trophies.
Instead, the three pieces of silverware won by United this season were used for club staff and families to pose with at the post-match party in Rome.
Meanwhile, United haven't wasted any time in slashing the price of a Cristiano Ronaldo T-shirt on their official club website from £13.99 to £9.99.
Ipswich manager Roy Keane, who is preparing to move house to Suffolk as part of his agreement with owner Marcus Evans, won't take no for an answer for a choice property he has identified outside the up-market coastal town of Woodbridge.
Keane has asked the current property magnate owner to name his price, but he doesn't want to sell despite Keane's persistence.