Former Leeds United and Sheffield United chief executive asked to lead EFL out of Covid-19 crisis

Birch replaces former Bradford City chief executive Dave Baldwin, who has had a short-lived spell in the job.

A chartered accountant, Birch had a reputation as something of a financial firefighter when he worked in Yorkshire, coming in at Leeds in 2003 as the club was in the throes of the meltdown which saw them drop out of the Premier League in 2004, and was the administrator at Portsmouth in 2011 and Heart of Midlothian two years later.

That expertise will be vital at a time when the finances of Football League clubs are generally in a perilous state, partly as a result of Covid-19.

“The opportunity to play a role in the EFL at such a crucial time is one I couldn’t turn down,” he said. “There is a big job to be done dealing with the effect of the pandemic, together with participating in discussions on the future structure of football and I hope I can make a meaningful contribution to that process.”

Birch's wide-ranging experience also includes time at the more successful end of the game too, and as a player.

He came to Leeds after overseeing Roman Abramovich's 2003 takeover of Chelsea, and is currently director of football operations at Tottenham Hotspur, a job he only started in September but will now leave to move to the Football League from January 1.

Birch has also been chief executive of Everton and Derby County, Swansea City chairman and an adviser to Bolton Wanderers.

He began his playing career at Liverpool, and played for Shrewsbury Town, Chester City, Marine, Runcorn and Norwich Victoria.

Baldwin became the Football League's chief executive in June, but announced in October he was leaving, citing “the needs of my family, health and well-being”.

“Trevor’s vast experience has impressed me throughout our discussions in regards to the role, and having been a strong candidate in 2019 before withdrawing from the process, I am delighted that he has opted to take up the position and is able to join the League so promptly,” said its chairman, Rick Parry. “I thank (Tottenham chairman) Daniel Levy for his understanding in this respect.

“I have known Trevor for many years and value the knowledge and expertise he has accumulated working with notable clubs at all levels of the game including a number of clubs in financial distress. I have no doubt that his acumen and experience will prove valuable for the EFL as we look to navigate our way out of the unprecedented set of circumstances presented to us by Covid-19 alongside considering the challenges of future reform to the pyramid as we look to develop long-term sustainability in the EFL.”

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