From 1957 until 1961, Hill was Chairman of the Professional Footballer's Association (PFA), a role he carried off with some relish, being variously described as 'the bold buccaneer', and 'the beatnik with the ball'. Shortly after Hill took on the role, he was confronted with the issue of Sunderland players who had allegedly been receiving dodgy payments in addition to their capped salary. The Football Association (FA) issued a life ban for the players after they refused to answer questions on the subject, but the PFA, and Hill, defended the players. Taking a gamble on there being many other players in a similar position, the PFA petitioned its members to come forward if they too had received illegal payments, in the hope that many would own up, and that the FA could be made to back down. The PFA won, and the players were reinstated with a suspension and a fine. This, too, was later revoked.