Time To...

Put all of that money we are making into the English game and look to improve football here at all levels, from schools/ village level right up the national game and the new centre that is, finally, being built in the Midlands.

Our game is envied for its financial strengths-particularly the Premiership-lets make it envied for the quality of play and the strenghts of the teams, all teams, and the national side as well.

As part of the bidding procedure, we were expected to provide funding and a national coach for the Thailand national side! In addition, money has been put into the game in the Caribbean, as well as other Asian nations, besides Thailand.

We're doing (via the FA) much the same in the Middle East.

Nice to have support in exchange for all the help and money we are putting into the game all over the world-whilst clubs over here go to the wall. I expect kickbacks are involved, but at least the money that we hand over serves some sort of purpose, rather than lining someones pocket in FIFA.

One consolation is that we will probably be offered the chance to stage the Euro's again in 2020, though we will probably be expected to hold some of those games in Cardiff, although it won't be a "joint" bid, as such.

Posted By: Martin Peters, Dec 3, 09:37:17