As a whole, the Board . . . not long cut from an unwieldy 22 to 10 thanks to the Genesis Report . . . meet monthly but are rarely seen in Merrion Square. In deciding the future, that will only be insofar as determining Staunton's fate before they send off another three-man sub-committee to recommend another manager. Judging from the last time however, one of the 10 in particular will be central to that.

JOHN DELANEY The chief executive said last Thursday that "it's unfortunate I've been personally linked to the appointment", but the impression given of the FAI under his tenure is that of a much more centralised organisation which has his impetus very much behind every major decision.

Having followed his father as honorary treasurer, Delaney rose to the top spot in March 2005. He immediately set about applying his widely respected business acumen.

In a diverse career, Delaney . . . a qualified chartered accountant . . . has built up a multi-million euro fortune by turning around and expanding small businesses before selling.

Among early successes were a Tralee bakery and furniture store and coffee shop in Athlone. It was his involvement in QC Logistics however that took his career to the next scale. In February 2004, the company merged with ABX Logistics and the acquisition of his 70 per cent stake transformed his bank account.

As Delaney explained in the he has a simple philosophy.

"I'm attracted to businesses that are in an embryonic stage, where there is something you can change in a big way. A business you can bring forward and pass it on to whoever can bring it on to the next stage of development."

With the FAI, he has certainly managed the first part, explaining why there has been no movement as yet to replace him over the Staunton debacle. On becoming chief executive he transformed the structure of the company, attempting to merge the various strands whose differences have caused such friction.

Among the aspects that have occupied a hectic schedule have been the merger of the FAI and the Eircom League, the move to Abbotstown, the technical development plans and the increasingly huge commercial aspect. If socially personable enough to have built up a huge powerbase, at work Delaney is supremely focused, maintaining a tight rein on all areas of the FAI.

In that sense he has, as he puts it, implemented "change in a big way", greatly streamlining the organisation. But as for the second part . . . and the ultimate goal of all that work, the senior team . . . well, so far Delaney's capabilities have failed him in passing "it on to whoever can bring it to the next stage".

DAVID BLOOD The FAI president occupies an honorary position, having come through the United Churches League. His role is largely ceremonial, involving little at policy level although he was on the three-man subcommittee that recommended Staunton and will do the same for the next manager.

Otherwise his time has been notable for oddly timed and framed votes of support.

MICHAEL CODY The FAI secretary is the third of that sub-committee. A retired FBD Insurance worker, he had represented Cobh Ramblers on the council since they became members in 1985.

PADDY McCAUL The FAI vice-president has only recently succeeded Maurice Fanning. Prior to that he had been the Eircom League chairman and oversaw the merger, after moving through the ranks with Athlone Town.

A respected local hotelier, he owns the Shamrock Lodge in the town.

MILO CORCORAN Corcoran was famously FAI president from 2001 to 2005.

Now the chairman of the International Committee, Corcoran has always had reservations about Staunton and two years prior had gone against Delaney when both were on the selection committee that appointed Brian Kerr. Also works for Heineken.

PAURIC TREANOR Treanor serves as the Legal and Corporate Affairs Committee chairman, having been involved with the Leinster FA and UCL for over 20 years.

Works with Bank of Ireland.

EDDIE MURRAY Murray occupies Delaney's ex-post of honorary treasurer.

A former Garda, he was one of the founders of Monaghan United in 1979.

EAMON NAUGHTON The Galway United man is a new member of the board, taking over Paddy McCaul's old post of Eircom League chairman. Outside of football, he is a HSE administrator.

JIM McCONNELL The Ulster FA man is chairman of the Domestic Committee.

DONAL CONWAY A schoolteacher on the FAIS, Conway is chairman of the Underage Committee.