HRH The Duke of Cambridge celebrated his ten years as FA President with a celebratory lunch at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.
Joined by Chairman Greg Dyke, members of The FA Board, FA Council and dignitaries from across the game, including representatives of England teams such as the women, CPs and blind squad, The Duke spoke of his pride at the work done in the national game over the last decade.
And he was keen to urge The FA to remain a relevant and progressive force within the game both on and off the pitch at a national and international level, particularly with regard to the governance and reform of the organisation.
The Duke spoke to England manager Roy Hodgson at Wembley, prior to his celebratory lunch
"Over these ten years I have seen the Board and Council strive to best serve the changing needs of the game and its participants," he said.
“We owe it to the history of the game to maintain The FA's global standing. To do so, we must seek to set a world standard in the way we conduct our business.
“There is one area in which I feel we do still need to improve and to do so with some urgency.
"Our governance structure is in danger of falling short of modern standards of best practice.
“There is a wind of change blowing through global sporting governance and we need to ensure we do not get left behind. In fact, as the country's national sport, we ought to be leading the way.
“I feel hugely privileged to have been President of the Football Association for the last ten years”
HRH The Duke Of Cambridge
"I know the organisation is currently reviewing this issue and there is an opportunity to seize the initiative by the way in which we reform ourselves. This is an emotive issue, and it is one that you all have a stake in deciding.
"I am proud to say that we in The FA have committed to playing our full part in pushing for better governance in football at FIFA and at a regional level.
"I think that you will agree with me that we ourselves, at The FA, must be as good as we can be as an organisation, fully representing society and serving the needs of 21st century football, if we still want to be listened to by the game elsewhere."
HRH The Duke Of Cambridge was at Wembley for his tenth anniversary as FA President
Reflecting on his decade as FA President so far, The Duke admits to taking a great deal of satisfaction from developments in a number of aspects of the national game.
The growth of women’s and grassroots football along with the construction and early evolution of St. George’s Park were all referenced in his speech.
And with FA Chairman Greg Dyke’s target of England winning the World Cup in 2022, The Duke was quick to jokingly remind him that it won’t be forgotten.
"I feel hugely privileged to have been President of the Football Association for the last ten years," he added.
"Looking back, being given the opportunity to be the President of such an historic and world-renowned institution from a relatively young age could have appeared quite daunting. But I have relished every moment - as a football fan, even a Villa fan, who wouldn't?
"Football is England's national game…it is part of the fabric of this nation, and to a large degree, helps form England's national identity.
"It is an incredibly powerful force for bringing people together, uniting people of all ages, all backgrounds and all walks of life.
"Quite simply, it is everything from a passion and a hobby to an obsession and a profession. We all love it, and that is why I find it such an honour to be President of the game's national governing body.
"And finally to the future, we know Greg has promised us back to back World Cup victories for the men and women in 2022 and 2023 – don’t worry, Greg, we will find you and hold you to account!"
