Ex-Premier League chief joins Bristol City board

Richard Scudamore spent almost 20 years as the head of the Premier League

Bristol City have appointed former Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore to the Championship club's board of directors.

Scudamore also served as executive chairman during his nearly 20 years as the head of the league between 1999 and 2018.

The 66-year-old is a lifelong Bristol City fan and said he wants to help eventually take the club to the Premier League when he begins the role from 1 November.

"I am honoured to be asked by the Lansdown family to lean in and help the club I have supported all my life," he told the club website.

"I am looking forward to working with [chairman] Jon Lansdown and [chief executive] Tom Rawcliffe in providing the backing and resources to help Gerhard Struber in his task of bringing Premier League football to the city of Bristol.

"Although long overdue, the size and passion of the fanbase together with the stability and excellent facilities that the Lansdown family has provided do not in themselves make that inevitable.

"Rest assured, we will be doing all we can to make it happen."

During Scudamore's time in charge of the Premier League, it underwent significant growth globally and financially, with UK television rights jumping to a value of £5.14bn from £670m.

Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown said Scudamore can help take the club "forward".

"I have known him for as long as I have been involved in the club and am confident that his wealth of experience will help Jon and Tom take the club forward," he said.