English Chess Forum

Mike is a massive figure in English Chess and, in addition to his ECF work, he has key roles as a trustee of the Chess Trust and leading the 4NCL.

He has been an ECF director for over ten years, serving as our CEO for most of that time. During his tenure, he led a transformation of the organisation, making it what it is today and providing a sound base for future development.

Having remained on the Board for a period after last year’s AGM elections, Mike has now decided to step down.

Commenting on this, Stephen Woodhouse, our Board Chair, said, “I am sorry to see Mike leaving the Board. He has been a permanent feature driving the Board, individuals and the ECF forward. His presence at Board meetings will be missed”.

A giant! He will be missed.

I too share the previous sentiments. Mike and I have had disagreements over a variety of things but we have had more agreements over other things.

MCTs contribution to the ECF and 4NCL and chess in England has been enormous and should be celebrated.

Mike will be missed, but maybe he's just had enough

There are two seemingly relevant questions:

1. This has been asked before. What were the issues underlying the "disagreement" between Mike Truran and Nick Faulks, as was announced on the website on 23 February 2026?

https://www.englishchess.org.uk/regulation-5/

2. What bearing does the "disagreement" have on Mike Truran's resignation from the ECF Board?

(Edited to correct spelling of Nick Faulks' name).

Casual dishonesty? First I had heard of it. I can imagine this did indeed have a bearing, as well as the cumulative stress of the Pein challenge.

John Townsend wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 09, 2026 4:27 pm

1. This has been asked before. What were the issues underlying the "disagreement" between Mike Truran and Nick Foulkes, as was announced on the website on 23 February 2026?

https://www.englishchess.org.uk/regulation-5/

Unless Nick (Fawkes) cares to tell us, we're probably not going to know.

The Finance Committee report to the 2025 AGM was critical of some aspects of ECF procedure and funding.
https://www.englishchess.org.uk/wp-cont ... mittee.pdf

Thanks for your reply, Roger.

Is it not felt that greater transparency in this matter would be a healthy thing for the English Chess Federation? If not, why not?

Not necessarily; when we have had issues in Manchester (which recently went as far as an EGM), sometimes we have been advised not to make things public; it's pretty easy to say after the event, what about transparency, but there's also the viewpoint what about privacy

If ECF members disagree, they can ask their ECF Council rep to enquire further

I don't have anything to say on the recent controversy, not least because I don't have any knowledge of it, but on the general matter I will say that before Mike took over the ECF had provided us for years with a near-constant stream of controversies, disasters and stupidities, and after he took over it didn't. Which is no small thing.

I'm not sure what privacy managers and directors should expect, assuming that the "disagreement" was about ECF business. The ECF February announcement referred to "a related exchange of correspondence."

John Townsend wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 09, 2026 4:27 pm

2. What bearing does the "disagreement" have on Mike Truran's resignation from the ECF Board?

None whatsoever.

JustinHorton wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 09, 2026 5:07 pm

I don't have anything to say on the recent controversy, not least because I don't have any knowledge of it, but on the general matter I will say that before Mike took over the ECF had provided us for years with a near-constant stream of controversies, disasters and stupidities, and after he took over it didn't. Which is no small thing.

Hear, hear!

Alex Holowczak wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 09, 2026 8:56 pm

John Townsend wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 09, 2026 4:27 pm

2. What bearing does the "disagreement" have on Mike Truran's resignation from the ECF Board?

None whatsoever.

JustinHorton wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 09, 2026 5:07 pm

I don't have anything to say on the recent controversy, not least because I don't have any knowledge of it, but on the general matter I will say that before Mike took over the ECF had provided us for years with a near-constant stream of controversies, disasters and stupidities, and after he took over it didn't. Which is no small thing.

Hear, hear!

Totally agreed with Alex and i'm gutted he has left the board, but he had his reasons and as mike norris mentioned that you could asked your ECF rep or speak to Mike if you know him