Parry to quit Premier League for Liverpool

Football

Rick Parry, the Premier League chief executive, confirmed yesterday that he is to leave his pounds 200,000-a-year post at the end of the season and join Liverpool in a similar capacity.

The 41-year-old former accountant who, over almost five years, has kept order and agreement among 20 club chairmen with different interests is leaving to fulfil a lifetime's ambition.

Parry, a Liverpool supporter from school days, will take over at Anfield from the club's chief executive, Peter Robinson, who after working alongside his successor for a year, will then concentrate fully on a new role of vice-chairman.

The game has grown fat on the riches generated since the advent of the Premier League in August 1992 and even more mouth-watering financial opportunities are certain to become available in the near future - including the arrival of pay-per-view television coverage and increased involvement in Europe for the leading English clubs.

A major obligation for the man who takes on Parry's role will be to maintain the fragile balance of wealth between bigger clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton, Arsenal and Newcastle and their less illustrious fellow members.

Parry's contract with the Premier League, boosted by a substantial pay rise plus bonus agreement when he successfully concluded a near-pounds 800m four-year deal with Sky TV on behalf of the clubs earlier this year, stipulates a six-month notice period.

The Association yesterday headed off reports that the former Leeds manager, Howard Wilkinson, has been chosen as the FA's first technical director. An announcement is expected to be made within the next five weeks.