Rachel Anderson
In 1998, Anderson was the only Fifa-licensed female football agent in the world. Representing Julian Dicks, she was invited by him to the PFA’s annual awards dinner, only to be turned away on the grounds that it was a men-only event. She tried again the next year – having had Dicks write to the PFA on her behalf – only to be turned away again. Gordon Taylor and his organisation stood their ground – arguing there was not enough room for women to attend and that sex discrimination laws did not apply because it was a private event – until Anderson took them to the high court and won.
Marlon King
The former Wigan Athletic striker was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old student in December 2008 and causing actual bodily harm after he punched her in the face in a bar, breaking her nose. Wigan sacked King soon after the verdict was announced but Taylor announced that his organisation would stand by King, saying: “Everybody in life can have big problems to face and this is probably his biggest. I hope he’s able to overcome it and, if he needs help to get his life back on track, I assure you we’ll be there for him.”
Gambling
Despite his warning to footballers not to get involved in gambling – “the feeling in football, bearing in mind what has happened with other sports, is that we do need a zero tolerance [policy to gambling]” – Taylor did exactly that. In August 2013, the PFA’s chief executive was accused of placing more than £4m on 2,000 bets and owing a bookmaker more than £100,000. There were reports that Taylor would lose his job but he received the backing of the PFA’s management committee. “He’ll have an occasional bet; it’s part of society and football,” the PFA’s Bobby Barnes said. “I don’t think he has a problem.”
Reginald D Hunter
In 2013, the American comedian was booked for the PFA’s awards ceremony but his 30-minute routine – characterised by his liberal use of the “n word” – led to various complaints from those who attended the event at the Grosvenor Hotel, London, especially given the then recent controversies involving Luis Suárez and John Terry. However, Taylor defended the decision to book Hunter. When asked if it was a mistake, he said: “No, no, don’t be silly. Are you serious? I think there were a few raised eyebrows over the comedian but that is the sort of thing you can’t control. It was unfortunate.”