Gordon Taylor has announced that he will be stepping down as chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA).
The 74-year-old has been in charge of the organisation since 1981, but has been under increasing pressure in recent months and years, and confirmed his departure at the PFA's AGM on Wednesday.
In a video posted on the PFA's official Twitter account, Taylor confirmed that a process to appoint his successor would be underway in the near future, and conveyed his pride at being chief executive.
He said: "The PFA has been my life for 40 years and I am deeply proud of everything it has achieved to support the work of professional footballers at a time of rapid change in our sport and society.