Clarke confirmed as new FA chairman

London (AFP) – Greg Clarke has been confirmed as the new chairman of the English Football Association, the governing body said on Wednesday.

Clarke takes over as the permanent successor to Greg Dyke after being approved by the FA Board on July 22.

The 48-year-old’s appointment was formally ratified by a full meeting of the FA Council at Wembley Stadium and his first day with the governing body will be September 2.

The following day Clarke will accompany FA chief executive Martin Glenn to Slovakia with new England boss Sam Allardyce and his squad ahead of the opening 2018 World Cup qualifier in Trnava.

Clarke spent six years as chairman of the English Football League — the three divisions below the Premier League — before stepping down earlier this year.

He also had a spell as Leicester chairman and a distinguished business career with senior roles at Cable & Wireless, Bupa, the Met Office and FTSE 250 company Redefine International.

Clarke’s appointment means former Manchester United chief executive David Gill, returns to his role of FA vice-chairman having operated as acting chairman during the interim period following Dyke’s departure.

“I’m delighted to be confirmed at the next Chairman of The FA and I’m relishing the challenge,” Clarke said in an FA statement. 

“My experience as a Council member for The FA has given me an insight into the excellent work this organisation undertakes at every level of the game. 

“It’s an honour for me to be joining at such a pivotal point in its recent history and I’d like to thank the Board and the Council for their continued support.

“The FA has the ability to have the most positive effect on football in this country, from the grassroots game all the way through to the men’s and women’s senior England teams. 

“I’m looking forward to continuing that good work and playing my part in representing an FA that we can all be proud of.”