Prince William to become FA president

Prince William [Images] will become the new president of the Football Association, the FA announced on Friday.

William will succeed his uncle Prince Andrew next May although as president-designate until next year's Cup final on May 13 he will support the Duke in his duties.

"I am really excited to be taking up this role," Prince William told the FA Web site. "Football is a game I love playing and watching. It is also the national sport and generates extraordinary passions among millions of people.

"It certainly did last year for me when I followed England [Images] with my friends during Euro 2004, and will no doubt do so again next summer during the World Cup in Germany [Images].

"Over the next few months I look forward to getting to know the FA well with the help of my uncle, and to understanding better the role the organisation plays in promoting the game at all levels."

FA chairman Geoff Thompson met Prince William and FA chief executive Brian Barwick on Friday to discuss his new role and the issues facing English soccer's governing body as well as the game as a whole at home and internationally.

After the meeting held at Clarence House, Thompson said: "Everyone at The FA is delighted that Prince William has agreed to be our next president.

"In 2000 the FA asked the Duke of York to take the role for five years. He has done a terrific job for which we are enormously grateful," he added in praise of the role played by the queen's second son after Prince Charles.

"Prince William's enthusiasm for football both as a player and a fan is well known and we believe his presidency will prove a great asset to the national sport," said Thompson.

The FA statement said the governing body was grateful for the support it had long received from the Royal Family.

"Our meeting today confirmed our belief that Prince William will uphold that tradition, and we know his appointment will be enthusiastically supported by everybody connected with the FA and with football in this country," said an FA statement.

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