Town chairman David Sheepshanks is reportedly one of four members of the FA's main board who will seek to scupper the appointment of the organisation's new chief executive at a meeting this afternoon.

Sheepshanks, along with Premier League chairman Dave Richards, Southampton's Rupert Lowe and Bolton's Phil Gartside, is believed to have voted against the planned installation of a chief executive at a meeting back in September.

Today's meeting will decide if any of the three shortlisted candidates will take on the job of chief executive. Brian Barwick, head of ITV sport, and Richard Bowker, former chair of the Strategic Rail Authority are two of those in the running, while the identity of the third remains a mystery.

Should the quartet convince enough of their fellow board members into joining them, the process of appointing a new CEO will be significantly delayed and could cause the current candidates to withdraw from the race.

There is reported to be anxiety in the game that this could further weaken the FA at a time when the Premier League's position is being strengthened.

If the four fail, an appointment will be made on time, although the exact nature of the chief executive's job is yet to be decided and won't be known until after a strategic review which is yet to get under way.

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