The Professional Footballers Association or PFA is the body that represents the interests of Britain's professional footballers; it might surprise many to know that it is also an official independent trade union and affiliated to the Trades Union Congress.
It was formed in 1907 at the Imperial Hotel, Manchester at the instigation of Billy Meredith of Manchester United and Wales and is therefore the world’s longest established union for professional sportsmen. Although occasionally driven to a bit of sabre rattling it is not the most militant or political union in the world, not surprising considering that a significant proportion of its membership are amongst the highest paid employees in the country.
The Union also runs the Player Management Group, that provides career management services to players (it represents Rio Ferdinand's interests) as well as a financial advisory company PFA Financial Management Ltd that helps the players make the most of their accumulated riches.