futsal team. Style of play Purkiss plays as a right-back and speaking in 2010 Oxford manager Chris Wilder described him as "an athletic footballer who likes to get forward and join in". Chairmanship of PFA Purkiss was elected as chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) in November 2017, succeeding Ritchie Humphreys, after a five-year spell on the management committee. He called for an independent review into the PFA and criticized numerous decisions made by the leadership, including a perceived lack of support and research into mental health issues and dementia. CEO Gordon Taylor was reported to have attempted to disbar Purkiss as chairman as he was not a contracted player at Walsall. In March 2019, it was reported that he was forced to stand down after the completion of a "full and open review" into the PFA's finances was presented at its 2019 AGM, along with its chief executive officer, Gordon Taylor and the PFA's entire management committee. However, by January 2020 both men were still in their posts, with the review still ongoing. John Mousinho was elected as chairman of the newly formed Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) players' board in May 2021. Personal life He is married to political commentator Marina Purkiss (née Nigrelli). They live in West London and have one son. Purkiss worked as an employment lawyer in the City of London after leaving his role in the PFA. Career statistics Honours York City FA Trophy runner-up: 2009 Walsall Football League Trophy runner-up: 2015 Brentham Middlesex County FA Intermediate Cup runner-up: NW London References External links Ben Purkiss profile at the Swindon Town F.C. website 1984 births Living people Footballers from Sheffield English footballers Association football defenders Sheffield United F.C. players Gainsborough Trinity F.C. players York City F.C. players Oxford United F.C. players Darlington F.C. players Hereford United F.C. players Walsall F.C. players Port Vale F.C. players Swindon Town F.C. players Brentham F.C. players Northern Premier League players National League (English football) players English Football League players English men's futsal players Alumni of the University of Sheffield Trade unionists from Sheffield English sports executives and administrators 21st-century English lawyers