NO MORE LATE NIGHTS
FAI chief John Delaney distances himself from partying past
SOPOT, Skopje, Zilina. At many stop-off points in his long tenure as FAI chief executive, John Delaney was often THE story, not the senior team. Whether it was losing his shoes while being borne aloft, throwing his tie to Irish fans, or paying for booze on trains, he made headlines, for the wrong reasons. Not anymore. On Thursday morning, in the same Cork hotel where he took his first steps to power in 2001 when appointed the youngest treasurer of the association, Delaney revealed an attitude to his responsibilities, which were sober, in every respect.
‘There is not too much time for late nights, nor should there be now. I’d accept that,’ he said.
Asked about curbing his socialising, he quipped, ‘that’s one you can ask Emma (English, his girlfriend).’
Delaney looked bright-eyed and sharp as he met old foes from the media for a rare briefing at 8am. The trademark floppy mane was tidier, the suit snappy.
He gave the impression of a person watching what he eats and drinks these days, too, something which wasn’t always apparent in the past.
‘I’m 50 now and I’m in most mornings at 7 or 7.15am. That’s my work ethic. I’m feeling great and fit,’ he said. ‘There is a lot to be done, when you’ve a turnover of nearly €50 million, and 200 staff. There’s UEFA responsibilities, grassroots every weekend, big projects at Dalymount, Glanmire, and Drogheda, the draw for the 2020 Euros.’
It’s not that long ago Delaney was on RTÉ Radio referring to himself as a figure in public life, creating the perception of a football administrator seeking to enter the frothy, celebrity sphere.
It was an approach which left him open to suggestions of a disconnect with the football job the Waterford man is paid handsomely to carry out. The penny now seems to have dropped regarding Irish football’s need for a top official who is a hands-on, hard-working grafter, rather than a ‘personality’ known for late nights out with fans.
As he approaches 13 years as chief executive – ‘Back then it was pretty feisty, internal stability was needed’ – Delaney is appearing less at the bar and more in the box. He walked pitch after pitch in Cork this week, at the hub of the numerous meet and greets across the county ahead of yesterday’s AGM, pressing flesh and handing out more than €1m in various grants and subsidies to his beloved grassroots, as well as countless tickets for kids for Irish games. He is at his best in Willie Wonka mode, and less comfortable when asked on Thursday about the total cost of the Aviva Stadium, or the FAI liabilities. As for the impasse with the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland (PFA Ireland), who represent players on the League of Ireland coal-face – Delaney’s route to high office – he clammed up and offloaded to League director Fran Gavin.
There is no question Delaney should be on top of this, knocking heads together and ensuring clubs are on a stable footing and if that means recognising SIPTU, so be it. The FAI sets no time limit on its chief executives, so how long will Delaney rule?
‘The day I don’t have the energy and drive to do what I do or the members say you’re time is up, that is the time to go,’ he said.
That won’t happen soon. His current €365,000-a-year contract is up in 2020 and a renewal can be expected before that, as the 2020 Euro finals are being co-staged in Dublin that summer, while the FAI celebrates its centenary in 2021.
‘There is a national exhibition which will be launched in November which leads into the legacy of 2020,’ he said.
‘It is being rolled out around seven or eight cities, that’s a piece of work that will lead to other work, the FAI’s 100 years in existence in 2021, where we are looking to do something special.’
From the Republic of Ireland perspective, don’t rule out a visit to Dublin from world champions France in 2021 as relations between the associations have improved since the 2009 Paris fall-out.
Delaney can’t call on Michel Platini for assistance these days as the disgraced former UEFA president is banned from all football activities. ‘I’ve haven’t heard from Michel,’ he said, when asked had he been in touch.
Does Delaney see a role back in football for Platini? ‘No. We’ve a new president (Alexander Ceferin), and there is a really, strong board. We’ve got David Gill, the CEO of Arsenal, Ivan Gazidis.
‘There is a new breed there. UEFA is running well.’
As a member of the UEFA Executive, Delaney represents Ireland’s interests in an organisation of massive wealth and influence.
His responsibility is grassroots which suits his background, as he has long appreciated the value of volunteers who mark pitches, pump balls and hang up nets.
Having taken credit for increasing the number of finalists in the European Championship to 24 and for UEFA’s centralised TV deals, which pumps millions into the FAI coffers every year, would Delaney seek advancement in the UEFA hierarchy?
‘No, although as (Giovanni) Trapattoni said, “never say never”. I’m happy with the roles they’ve given me, as chairman of the youth and amateur committee, and vice-chair of the women’s committee.’
He’s also one of four people developing a grassroots strategy for UEFA called Football First.
Putting Football First? For those who have observed Delaney’s socialising shenanigans in the past, it could be said it’s right that he continues to do just that.
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John Delaney is approaching his 13th year in the role of chief executive of the FAI
I’m in most mornings at 7 or 7.15am, that’s my work ethic