IFA happy with Nelson appointment

Patrick Nelson has been Macclesfield chief executive since 2006

The Irish FA still wants Patrick Nelson to become the football body's new chief executive after conducting further checks on their preferred candidate.

IFA president Raymond Kennedy has revealed that he hopes former Macclesfield chief Nelson will be installed in the job by 3 August.

The IFA carried out a process of "due diligence" on Nelson after receiving allegations about his business affairs.

"We are satisfied we should go ahead with the appointment," says Kennedy.

Nelson, 49, had admitted that he did not make the IFA aware of all his dealings or company directorships.

Mr Nelson, currently CEO at League Two club Macclesfield Town, was selected from five candidates interviewed for the £70,000 post, with his appointment announced by the IFA on 22 May.

But afterwards, the IFA received an anonymous tip-off that Mr Nelson had been a director of an events company, GP1 Management Limited, a venture in which he invested £40,000.

Our solicitors are drawing up a contract of terms and conditions in draft form IFA president Raymond Kennedy

It folded with losses of £542,756 in 2007.

Mr Nelson told the BBC last month that he had not informed the IFA of the directorship because "it was not relevant".

He added he had been a director for only 11 months and was not involved in the actual running of the business.

Official paperwork filed at Companies House contained errors.

Mr Nelson's date of birth was incorrect on two forms, one of which he admitted signing. He was unaware of the errors until informed by the BBC.

He described what is a breach of regulations as "an inadvertent mistake".

However, the Englishman remains in line to replace Howard Wells, who was sacked from the role last October.

Raymond Kennedy says a contract is being drawn up for Nelson to sign

"We were duty bound to investigate, so we went through a process of due diligence on him - and the interview panel reconvened," added Kennedy.

"Our solicitors are drawing up a contract of terms and conditions in draft form.

"As soon as it is agreed, we will get the final contracts drawn up and signed. We are looking for Patrick to start on 3 August."

On Tuesday, the IFA announced that it had appointed Dessie Curry as the governing body's new technical director and Kennedy believes that the Lisburn PE teacher is the "right man" to succeed Roy Millar, who stepped down two months ago.

With his contract running for four years, Curry is taking a career break to cope with the demands of the full-time job.

"We have a lot of confidence in Dessie. He has been a schools manager for a long time. He has the skills we need to do the job.

"Dessie will be responsible for the whole coaching programme from the elite group to grass roots."