The times and turmoil of David Gallop's seven years at FFA

In the early days of his time as chief executive of Football Federation Australia, David Gallop loved to roll out a certain story.

"I can well remember jumping out of my seat when John Aloisi put the ball into the back of the net [against Uruguay in 2005] but I was also one of the first people to sit down because it dawned on me that ... this may not be a good thing for rugby league," Gallop would say.

In many ways, it was the perfect summation of his tenure: Constantly fending off accusations he didn't love the game while revealing himself as a considered and judicious leader.

David Gallop resigned as chief executive of FFA.Credit: AAP

Despite seven years at the helm, Gallop never quite managed to win over the rusted-on football fans. Stories of his affection for West Bromwich Albion or his elation at Aloisi's penalty may have been warming, but they were quickly forgotten. His management style is built upon pragmatism and caution - two traits Australian football has always lacked yet never seeks.

When fans wanted vision, Gallop sought stability. Pundits who called for expansion were met with responses of financial insecurity in the league while those who wanted promotion and relegation were affectionately labelled "dreamers". He delayed A-League expansion and it took intervention from former chairman Steven Lowy to open a bidding process which eventually saw Macarthur FC and Western United handed licences.

In one of his more conservative moves, Gallop - together with former A-League chief Damien de Bohun - introduced the controversial National Club Identity Policy in 2014 that banned ethnic names, logos, imagery and references, even for grassroots clubs, also prohibiting national flags entering grounds. The new board that came into effect in November last year sought the NCIP's removal and it was formally scrapped this week.

It was the infamous A-League fan revolt of 2015 that fractured Gallop's relationship with supporters as frustration over banning notices and stadium security simmered to a boil. It led to fans boycotting fixtures and left the FFA alienated from its most valuable stakeholders.

Those protests were the culmination of a history of fans' frustrations. These started before his time but his cautious management style did little to quell their concerns.

Of all the issues, none were more damaging than the public handling of the sacking of Alen Stajcic as Matildas' coach in January 2019.

However, fans are also quick to forget his triumphs. Under Gallop's watch, the tournament that has made more steps to mend old wounds than any other was introduced - the FFA Cup.

It was met with criticism at the time but the $346 million, six-year TV deal overseen by Gallop has since become the saviour of the A-League. It ties Fox Sports to the A-League until 2023, providing no wriggle-room for the cash-strapped Foxtel to part with a competition that doesn't rate well on TV.

Most recently, he's overseen the independence of the A-League while what could well be his greatest contribution is one he won't be around to take credit for. In March next year, Australia could win the hosting rights of the 2023 Women's World Cup having launched the bid under Gallop's tenure.

Normally, success has many fathers while failure is an orphan. For David Gallop in football, that's the opposite. He was rarely credited with a win yet remained the punching bag for all that was wrong with the game. There were plenty of times criticism was deserved but there are also reasons why he is the longest-serving chief of Australian football. Of all his quotes, the one perhaps most true is that "football is a simple game with complicated people".