FA recommends new chairman
Lord Triesman recommended as FA's first independent chairman
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Thursday, 20, Dec 2007 03:48
The Football Association board has recommended Lord David Triesman as the first independent chairman as part of a restructuring plan.
Lord Triesman is expected to take up his post "as early as possible" after the recommendation is put to the FA council on January 16th for its approval.
In order to take up the post, Lord Triesman will be required to stand down from his position as a government minister.
He has served as a whip in 2004 before moving to the Foreign Office. His most recent appointment has been with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and he was made a life peer three years ago.
Before joining the government, Lord Triesman was also general secretary of the Labour party and before that the Association of University Teachers.
The chairman of the FA selection panel and Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney said he is "delighted" at the unanimous recommendation.
"[Lord Triesman] combines excellent managerial and leadership skills with a life-long passion for the game," Lord Mawhinney said.
"Throughout his career he has never shied away from taking strategically important decisions, and has delivered strong results.
"He has an infectious enthusiasm for football at all levels in England, I believe that he will play an invaluable role in developing our game in the years ahead."
Lord Triesman himself said: "I am delighted and very honoured to have this remarkable opportunity to help lead change at the heart of English football at the Football Association.
"I am confident we are capable of resuming our role as world leaders from Wembley to the sport played at every level.
"That is the challenge and that is my goal. I know it is passionately shared by the FA and everyone in English football."
The moves to appoint a first-ever independent chairman began following a comprehensive structural review by Lord Burns, which was completed in May this year.
The selection panel chaired by Lord Mawhinney also included Gloucestershire FA chairman Roger Burden, Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards and Hampshire FA chairman John Ward.