RAY Mallon is kicking off his post-mayoral career by signing up to Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation.

Its chairman, Steve Gibson, is unveiling the latest member of his team at a press conference this afternoon at the Riverside Stadium, describing him as “a man who gets things done”.

Mr Mallon, who is stepping down after three terms as Mayor of Middlesbrough in May, will work with staff and its board of trustees to expand its work with disadvantaged adults and young people.

The non-smoking tee-total sports fan captained the under-20 Great Britain water polo team and went on to represent his country over 50 times.

Mr Gibson, who is chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club and launched the foundation, said: “I’m delighted that Ray has decided to be part of the foundation’s future.

“He’s a man with vast experience of dealing with Government and other national, regional and local bodies. Most importantly Ray is a man who gets things done.

“The time is right for the foundation to expand and Ray will prove an excellent addition to what is already an excellent team.”

The foundation uses the power of the ‘beautiful game’ to engage local people to provide sport, health and educational activities across Teesside.

Mr Mallon, who has served 13 years as the first directly elected Middlesbrough mayor, is a former detective superintendent at Cleveland Police where he hit the headlines, nationally and internationally for his ‘zero tolerance’ stance on crime.

At Middlesbrough Council he has navigated savings in the deprived town totalling around £70m with hundreds of job losses since 2010 when George Osborne introduced his Comprehensive Spending Review with budget cuts which Mr Mallon repeatedly said are “too quick, too deep and too savage”.

Mr Mallon said: “I feel privileged to have been asked to join the foundation. I have seen first-hand their excellent work in local communities and I’m relishing the task of helping to take that work to the next level.

“When I announced I would be standing down as mayor I mentioned that I hoped to work with young people in the future so this is a perfect fit.

“I have been very impressed with the dedication and drive of the Foundation staff. I know they are all as determined as I am to build on the excellent work already completed.”

He added: “Football is a way of life in our local communities that crosses all boundaries. Through the Foundation we can use football to engage with people and open the door to better health, education, skills and life opportunities.”