Walk into almost any football boardroom and the picture is the same: rows of white faces making decisions for a sport played predominantly by men who look nothing like them.
Wayne Allison has spent 40 years in English football - first as a player with the likes of Huddersfield Town, Bristol City, Swindon Town, Sheffield United, Chesterfield and then coached at various clubs in the EFL. And now as one of its most qualified administrators.
He has watched that disconnect quietly grow into something the game can no longer ignore.
He is, by any measure, exceptional. A PhD, the UEFA Pro Licence, published author and he studied with the London School of Economics, but the journey started when the PFA funded an under graduate degree in Sports Science, whilst as a player with Tranmere Rovers. He has since held senior leadership roles at the Football Association (The FA) the League Managers’ Association (LMA) and now the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), where he serves as Coaching Director.
