By Mark Baber
January 16 – The English Football Association, The FA, launched its 150th year anniversary with a heart-warming display of appreciation to the Football Association and English football by football leaders and legends from around the world, as well as a demonstration by the FA of the great emphasis it places on grassroots football, inclusion and the endeavours of volunteers.
The launch began with a quick run-down of 150 years of football in 150 seconds by Arsenal and England player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and then moved on to a speech by the Chairman of the FA David Bernstein.
“There remains a simple beauty in the universality of football. From Wembley to parks pitches an invisible, unbreakable thread runs through. Through hope, ambition and a love of the game it links us all, every player, coach, official and fan,” said Bernstein.
Gratitude and thanks from around the world
The English showed a certain humility and appreciation of football abroad was very much on display, with John Barnes explaining how his great dribbling goal against Brazil was the result of ‘looking for someone to pass to’ but failing to see anyone due to ‘poor vision’. Barnes expressed his love for Brazilian football as well as the performances of Spanish football in recent years.
David Gill and Sir Alex Ferguson both talked about the great tribute from UEFA in awarding the Champions League final to Wembley again this year.
Arsene Wenger said this was a good opportunity to thank England for creating football, which was the greatest love affair of his life.
Michel Platini, President of UEFA, congratulated the FA and thanked the FA for its part in creating, building and fostering the sport
FIFA President Sepp Blatter looked back to the pioneers of football who met in the Freemasons Tavern on 26 October 1863 and organised “the beautiful game”.
Great footballing rivals Alan Shearer, Sol Campbell, Oliver Bierhoff, Lothar Matthaus, Marcel Desailly and Patrick Vieira shared the platform, reminiscing about great games and looking forward to the next World Cup, with Vieira saying that it was time for England to win some more silverware.
By video link, Jose Mourinho said that, “To say congratulations to the English FA is to say congratulations to football and everyone who loves football around the world,” and promised to return to English football one day. Pepe Guardiola expressed his belief that “maybe in the future he would have the chance to manage in England” as the supporters are loyal rather than just supporting winners. He has just accepted the Bayern Munich job, so it won’t be happening too soon.
Congratulations were expressed by video link from Edwin van der Saar, Dennis Bergkamp, Jack Wilshire, Gary Neville, Jordan Henderson, Glen Johnson, Frank Lampard, the great Carlos Alberto (who called the English football organisation “the best in the world.”) and Jurgen Klinsmann who said, “If there is one federation that deserves to hold the next World Cup more than any other, it would be England.”
Grassroots football – the greatest story never told
According to David Bernstein, “the bedrock of English football are the over 2 million people who play the game at least once a week in 29,000 clubs.”
The FA is committed to investing over £100 million a year into football both Bernstein and the FA President recognised “over 400,000 magnificent volunteers” who are the selfless heroes of the game.
Key to increasing participation is to increase the participation of girls and women, older people and people with disabilities. Hope Powell talked about the great progress in women’s football since she started playing and Dave Clarke talked about the FA England Blind football team and the other 24 squads the FA supports, Marieanne Spacey talked about grassroots coaching.
The Bobby Moore fund for Cancer Research will be the charity of choice at the inaugural FA England Awards, at which Pele will also be present.
David Beckham paid respect to those who had supported him when he was playing on Hackney marshes.
FA Director of Football Development, Trevor Brooking, talked about the new coaching facilities at St George’s Park, the importance of football for girls and introducing more fun and enthusiasm into the sport.
Howard Webb spoke on behalf of the 27,000 referees in England, saying standards of accuracy were up along with levels of scrutiny. Fabrice Muamba, now part of the under-21 set up, made an appearance, saying that if you have a cardiac arrest the best place to have it is on a football pitch.
The Teenage Cancer Trust has been chosen as FA Charity for 2013 and a cheque for £150,000 was handed over at the ceremony.
Boxer Amir Khan explained how sport can keep youngsters out of trouble and the Volunteer of the Year Taomi Caville explained how becoming a football role model had changed her life around and how she had organised a club for kids, run by kids.
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