Mike interviewed me for a role in the FA Facilities Team back in 2001. I was lucky enough not only to get the job but also have Mike as my first line manager. He was so generous with his time and knowledge, there really could't have been a better boss. Whilst our roles diverged for a while I came back under his wing in the FA leagues and clubs team in 2008 until his departure in 2015. I spent countless hours with Mike in Committees, at League Meetings, Conferences and England C Games, and in that time I really got to understand why he was so successful at the FA. Whilst he was often surrounded by self interested big egos and competing agendas, he always seemed to be able to navigate a course in the background which delivered consensus and was in the best interests of the game- all without raising his voice or losing his temper. If there was ever a problem that the big noises needed resolving it was always Mike they would turn to and of course he would oblige. He had the most gentle of manners and a wonderful sense of humour, with countless anecdotes about hapless colleagues and council members. He was a very dear friend and a lovely man. A true football man. Always on duty. Sleep well Mike. Andrew