Swindon's Ben Purkiss elected chairman of Professional Footballers' Association

Swindon defender Ben Purkiss has been elected chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association.

Purkiss, 33, takes over from Sheffield FC's Ritchie Humphreys as the head of the football players' union.

"I'm really looking forward to doing my best for players up and down the country," Purkiss said. "I've been part of the management committee for five years and supported Ritchie, so I'm not coming in blind.

"I understand the scale of the role and I'm not daunted by it. I'm proud, honoured. You look back through the list of chairs and there haven't been that many."

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor added: "We congratulate Ben on his selection as chairman and feel sure his vast experience as a player and management committee member make him eminently suitable for the position.

"Ben is articulate, forward-thinking and knowledgeable about the Association and very well respected in the game amongst his fellow professionals, showing all the characteristics you need to be a chairman of the PFA."

Reporting of Press Association.