Gordon Taylor is to step down as chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association after an independent review has been completed, the organisation has announced.

Taylor has been in charge of the trade union for 38 years, but announced in November of last year that there would be a review following criticism led by chairman Ben Purkiss.

The 74-year-old, who lives in East Lancashire, claimed "attacks levelled at our organisation and its leadership through the media were both unfounded and unfair" but will leave the role in the near future.

The PFA held its annual general meeting in Manchester on Wednesday, where it was decided Taylor would remain at the helm until a review came to an end - confirming they had "agreed a continuity plan that will provide the organisation with stability through its upcoming independent review process."

Speaking after the AGM, Taylor, who played for Rovers between 1976 and 1978, hit out at his critics and said the PFA was now "united" in how to plan for the future.

"The end of 2018 was an extremely difficult period for the hard-working, excellent staff of the PFA," he said in a statement.

"Many of the attacks levelled at our organisation and its leadership through the media were both unfounded and unfair.

"It is true that, at times last year, members of the Management Committee did not see eye-to-eye on a number of issues but, following a series of meetings over the last few months, we are now united on the best way forward for the organisation."