Letters have been pouring into the PFA head office, congratulating the organisation in its centenary year and Cardiff City Academy Physio Jimmy Goodfellow - a former player, coach, assistant manager and manager - has penned the following tribute to Chief Executive Gordon Taylor and his staff...
"Congratulations to you and everyone at the PFA for your part in the 100 years of work by your union. I thank everyone for the help and advice you have given to me and my family during the 40 years I have been in the professional game.
I signed professional forms in 1966 and have worked in every aspect of professional football from then until the present day. During my years in professional football you have assisted me during my coaching badges, education courses, medical studies and a university degree M. Phil. Course.
During every one of the 40 years I have enjoyed the life that is football, have made mistakes but made them honestly and – hopefully – learned from them from international football with Wales (as physio) and throughout the four leagues, I have instilled standards and given advice to players and staff both on and off the field.
For the last three years, I have been involved with the academy players (16-18 years) during the week and the youngsters (8-16 years) at weekends. This has been very rewarding to see the effort and enthusiasm of players, coaches and parents.
Some of the many people I have met during my football life from every level have remained good friends.
The game has changed in many ways but certain things stay the same, like the backing of the PFA, who have always there to help players, ex-players and their dependants. I wish you and your staff every success during this memorable year and beyond."
Jimmy Goodfellow (Cardiff City AFC)
* We were also delighted to receive a glowing acknowledgement from Brendan Schwab, the Executive Chairman of the Australian Professional Footballers' Association, who complimented our PFA on being 'instrumental in the transformation of the rights of footballers both within England and around the world'.
Brendan kindly wrote: "On behalf of the Australian PFA I have written to longstanding PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor, one of football’s most respected figures and the Honorary President of FIFPro, to congratulate his organisation on its outstanding achievement.
"The English PFA has long set the global standard for excellence in the collective representation of professional footballers.
"The Union has also provided the inspiration for the development of players' associations around the world, including in Australia, and we have benefited enormously from the friendship and guidance of Mr Taylor and his staff, including Deputy Chief Executive Mick McGuire."
* Gordon Taylor and all at the PFA would like to thank those people, from all areas of the game, who have taken the trouble to write letters of appreciation in this our centenary year.
