Mark Harris has resigned as chairman of the Northern Premier League (NPL) following a disciplinary process triggered by an email he sent last year. After 17 years in the role, Harris stepped down in April amid controversy over his response to a fan of FC United of Manchester regarding the league’s decision to hold a fixture against Stockton Town at a neutral venue.
The dispute arose after six postponements of the match, which was initially scheduled to be played at FC United’s Broadhurst Park. Despite the league’s decision, FC United won an appeal with The Football Association (FA), and the game was eventually played at their home ground. Harris’s email response to a fan’s inquiry included an expletive, prompting widespread criticism and questions about conduct in football governance.
Harris also resigned from his positions as an FA councillor and as a member of the FA Pyramid Board. In a statement, he expressed regret for the incident and apologized to those offended by his email. He acknowledged that while there were mitigating circumstances, his behavior was out of character and fell short of the FA’s standards for personal conduct.
“I never sought to deny what I did,” Harris said. “I apologise to anyone offended by the content of that email. The FA rightly expects the highest levels of personal conduct, and I accept the disciplinary process was fair and proportionate.” He emphasized that while immediate resignation was an option, he chose to undergo the formal process to ensure integrity and fairness rather than respond to public or online pressure.
Throughout his tenure, Harris was regarded as a significant figure in Non-League football and credited with contributing to the growth and governance of the NPL. Reflecting on his departure, he described the opportunity to reflect on his future role within the sport, revealing plans to launch a new venture alongside Ossett United chairman Phil Smith and Tim Fuell, host of the Non-League Show podcast.
The new initiative, Football Pyramid Partnership, aims to support clubs and leagues by providing expertise in areas such as commercial strategy and facility development, focusing on enhancing club sustainability rather than sponsorship or sales. Harris stressed that the project involves professionals who have practical experience within Non-League football and intends to help clubs adapt to evolving economic challenges.
Harris believes the incident has highlighted the strength of the NPL’s governance, despite ongoing debates about club representation and transparency. He noted the necessity of a league board with the authority to make decisions on behalf of its members, balanced by independent oversight, to effectively manage a competition of the league’s size.
“The league board is appointed to reflect the views of the membership but also to operate efficiently,” Harris said. “While transparency and openness remain priorities, governance can always be improved.”
Harris described his time as NPL chairman as a privilege and expressed appreciation for the support he received from clubs during the challenging period. He cautioned that his experience should serve as a reminder of the pressures involved in football administration and reiterated his commitment to contributing positively to the sport’s future through his new endeavors.