Barry Bright

Who is Barry Bright?

Barry W. Bright, is a retired Estate Agent, turned now professional football administrator: chair and Managing Director of the Kent Football Association; chair of The Football Association disciplinary committee; and a member of the FA Board as Vice-Chairman.

Bright was chairman of Sittingbourne F.C., where in March 1997 he had to announce that the club could not afford to pay the players wages. Midway through the 1998/9 season, Bright handed over Sittingbourne to Andy Spice.

Bright rose to the FA through his association with the Kent FA, where he is presently chair and Managing Director; he has been the Kent FA's representative to the Football Association for over 20 years. Bright is chair of the FA disciplinary committee, where with colleagues Peter Herd and Frank Pattison, he has handed down various conclusions, including:

Boston United: pleaded guilty to six charges relating to contract irregularities. They were fined £100,000 and started the following season with a four points deduction.

Rio Ferdinand: in 2003 Ferdinand failed to attend a drugs test, claiming he had forgotten because he was preoccupied with moving houses. Ferdinand was banned for eight-month ban from January 2004 at club and international level and a £50,000 fine, meaning he would miss the rest of the league season and some of the next along with all of Euro 2004. Manchester United's appeals to have the ban reduced were turned down.