HRH The Duke of Cambridge is looking ahead to a 'great year' in 2013 when The FA celebrates its 150th Anniversary.

A unique calender of events was unveiled this week to mark the historic occasion of the organisation's foundation and will include a series of exciting England fixtures, as well as Wembley hosting the UEFA Champions League Final for a second time in three seasons.

The FA's President, who earlier this month officially opened St. George's Park in Burton upon Trent, says the events next year will highlight the impact this country has had on the game of football since its 'birth' in 1863.

And he says FA150 will also commemorate the work done at all levels of football that ensures it remains the nation's favourite game. 

“As President of The Football Association, I am very much looking forward to a great year for football in 2013," he said. 

"The FA will be celebrating its 150th anniversary and England will be hosting the UEFA Champions League Final and the UEFA Congress, as well as staging a number of important events up and down the country.

“These FA-led activities and the opening of St. George’s Park underline England’s unique contribution to the world game over a century and a half.

“The FA will use its 150th anniversary to pay tribute to those who make the game flourish at the grassroots level - the tens of thousands of weekly volunteers, the players and the fans – all those who in their own way help the grassroots game to grow and to succeed.

"Football would not be the national game without this daily injection of time and energy by so many people.”

From January 2013, The FA will begin to celebrate its anniversary with a year-long calendar of events designed to showcase the heritage of the game and celebrate The FA’s support of football over the last century and a half.

This will include:

- Major England matches including Brazil, Scotland and Republic of Ireland, plus Brazil tour
- UEFA Congress and UEFA Champions League Final in May
- FA England Awards at St. George’s Park on Sunday 3 February
- 20 years of women’s football and UEFA Women's Euro 2013 in July
- National Football Day on Saturday 10 August
- FA Gala Dinner at the Grand Connaught Rooms on Saturday 26 October