Chris Coyne Elected to PFA Executive

Socceroo and Perth Glory defender Chris Coyne was today elected to the Executive of Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) at the 2009 PFA Annual General Meeting held in Sydney this afternoon.

Coyne replaces former Socceroo Ante Milicic, who stepped down from the Executive following his retirement as a player.  The PFA Executive now comprises:

Simon Colosimo, Sydney FC (President)
John Aloisi, Sydney FC
Tim Cahill, Everton
Ante Covic, FC Elfsborg
Chris Coyne, Perth Glory
Vincenzo Grella, Blackburn Rovers
Jon McKain, Wellington Phoenix
Kevin Muscat, Melbourne Victory
Liam Reddy, Brisbane Roar
Alex Wilkinson, Central Coast Mariners
John Poulakakis (Chairman); and
Brendan Schwab (Chief Executive)

“I’m excited about joining the PFA Executive at a crucial time for Australian football” Coyne said. “The PFA has played a leading role in the development of the game in Australia and I look forward to contributing to this in the future. The PFA has always been there for me in my career, especially when times have been tough and it is great that I can use my experience to continue this work on behalf of Australian footballers.”

PFA Chief Executive Brendan Schwab said he was delighted to have a player of Coyne’s calibre and experience join the leadership of the players’ representative body.

“Chris, through his extensive involvement in English football and its Professional Footballers’ Association, knows intimately the important role the PFA has to play in advancing the interests of both the players and the game,” Schwab said.  “As the game continues to grow in Australia and the demands on the players increase, there is no doubt that the many lessons from professional football in England will be increasingly relevant at home.  Moreover, Chris can help ensure we play an even more proactive role in supporting the many Australians who are pursuing their playing careers overseas.”

The PFA Annual General Meeting also honoured four players who have made key contributions to the growth and influence of the PFA.

Milicic, a former Johnny Warren and Joe Marston Medallist, was honoured with PFA Life Membership, together with PFA President Simon Colosimo and former Executive members Ross Aloisi and David Zdrilic.  PFA Life Member Craig Foster, who became a Life Member in 2003, was recognised as a PFA Champion for his exceptional contribution to the PFA whilst a player.  Foster becomes the third player to be so recognised behind Alex Tobin and Kimon Taliadoros.

Detailed materials of the meeting including the PFA’s financial report for the year ended 30 June 2009 are available at www.pfa.net.au.

For further information:

Brendan Schwab, PFA Chief Executive 0417 302 699

The PFA is the exclusive representative body of Australia’s elite professional footballers including the Socceroos, A-League players, the Matildas, the many Australians playing professionally overseas and the scholars in Australia’s elite academy system such as the Australian Institute of Sport.

CHRIS COYNE PROFILE Chris Coyne moved to England to take up an apprenticeship with West Ham United in 1996. In 2000, Coyne moved onto Scottish Premier League Club Dundee where he spent 1 season before moving back to England to play for Luton Town.  Coyne spent 6 and a half years at Luton, making over 200 league appearances and twice winning promotion.  In 2007, Coyne joined Colchester United where he spent 2 seasons before returning to Australia to play for Perth Glory.  At international level, Coyne was a member of the 1995 Joey’s team which reached the quarterfinals at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Ecuador.  Coyne is also a member of the Socceroos squad, having made 7 appearances since his debut in June 2008.    Coyne’s club statistics to date:  

Season	Club	Apps (goals)
1998–99	West Ham United	1 (0)
1998–99	Brentford (loan)	8 (0)
1998–99	Southend United (loan)	1 (0)
1999–00	West Ham United	0 (0)
2000–01	Dundee	24 (0)
2001–02	Dundee	4 (0)
2001–02	Luton Town	31 (3)
2002–03	Luton Town	44 (1)
2003–04	Luton Town	53 (3)
2004–05	Luton Town	44 (5)
2005–06	Luton Town	34 (2)
2006–07	Luton Town	22 (1)
2007–08	Luton Town	25 (1)
2007–08	Colchester United	16 (1)
2008–09	Colchester United	21 (1)
2009-10	Perth Glory	14 (0)

Coyne’s Socceroos appearances to date:  

Date	Competition	Opponent
07 June 2008	2010 FIFA World Cup	Iraq
19 August 2008	Friendly	South Africa
06 September 2008	Friendly	The Netherlands
10 September 2008	2010 FIFA World Cup	Uzbekistan
19 November 2008	2010 FIFA World Cup	Bahrain
06 June 2009	2010 FIFA World Cup	Qatar
10 June 2009	2010 FIFA World Cup	Bahrain