National League appoints former Premier League executive as new chair

You can watch ALL National League games, live or on demand HERE

The National League has appointed former Premier League general secretary Nic Coward as its new chair.

Coward will take up the position on July 1, succeeding Jack Pearce MBE, who is stepping down after five years at the helm of the competition.

A highly experienced sports administrator, he has held a number of senior roles in football and twice served as interim chief executive of the Football Association (The FA).

The 60-year-old has also worked in athletics, horse racing and golf and been chair of the Cricket Regulatory Body.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed Non-League news you need, subscribe to The Non-League Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

Expertise

Coward joins the National League at a time of growing interest in the competition, with long-term partnerships in place with title sponsor Enterprise and broadcaster DAZN.

The promotion races across all three divisions also remain fiercely contested.

National League chief executive Phil Alexander said: “After a very competitive and comprehensive application process, I am delighted that the National League board has selected Nic to become our next chair.

“He has a wealth of experience across football and multiple sports at the highest levels, and I look forward to him bringing that deep experience and expertise to the National League.”

Exciting time

Coward says: “I’m honoured to be joining the National League, particularly at such an exciting time for the organisation.

“I’m looking forward to working with the board, Phil and the whole team, building on the great work of Jack Pearce and his colleagues over the past years.

“We have a big job to do – delivering great competitions together and supporting our clubs in achieving their ambitions. 

“Everyone at the National League is fully aware of what the National League’s historic 72 clubs mean to their communities, and how vital they are as a collective to our unique national football pyramid.”

Coward replaces Pearce, who became chairman in 2021 after spending a decade on the National League board.

Pearce’s association with football spans more than five decades and earned him an MBE in 2024 in recognition of his contribution to the game.

The appointment of Coward as chair comes after the National League confirmed a series of board changes at its annual Congress of 72 member clubs earlier this month.

Click HERE to watch every National League fixture, live or on demand, via DAZN

READ MORE: Sutton United lose teenage starlet Junior Eccleston as he heads for the EFL