ADRIAN BEVINGTON will end 17 years with the Football Association at the end of the year.

The Middlesbrough-born 43-year-old joined the FA in 1997 to enter a new chapter in his life having operated as managing director of club England four years ago and then taking on executive responsibility for communications three years ago.

But Bevington, who worked as part of Boro’s media team before joining the FA, said: “It has been a privilege to work for The FA but after almost two decades I want a new challenge.

“I have been considering my departure for some time and discussed this with chairman Greg Dyke recently. I am grateful to Greg and the FA board for their support over the years and in agreeing to my departure at the end of the month.

“The FA has provided me with tremendous experience and I look forward to drawing on this in the future. While it is a disappointment to leave without England winning a major trophy, I am convinced the foundations for success are now in place.

“A huge part of my working life has been spent with the FA and I have worked with so many wonderful people in the industry, both domestically and internationally. I would like to thank everybody who has helped me over the years.”

Bevington started his career at ICI on Teesside as a trainee reporter on the company’s newspaper. He is a lifelong Middlesbrough fan and has worked with a number of managers at FA, including Kevin Keegan, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Steve McClaren, Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson.