The FA's Chairman polled an excellent 46 votes out of a possible 52, second only to the Cypriot Marios Lefkaritis’ 47 votes.

This result represents a doubling in support for Geoff Thompson since his first election onto the Executive Committee in 2000.

During this period, he has played a pivotal role not only in working for a healthy and united future for European football, but in expressing England’s views in European matters and developing closer relations between English football and the European football family.

Having such a strong voice at the highest level of European football is invaluable to The FA and to English football in general.

"This is a tremendous result which reflects the standing of English football throughout Europe,", Thompson told us, speaking from Cyprus. "For the past four years, I have been honoured to represent England at Europe's most prestigious football forum. I am thrilled with continuing to do so.

"England is rightfully placed at the heart of European football; that's where the rest of Europe wants us to be and that's where it intends to stay."

FA Chief Executive Mark Palios added: "The size of Geoff Thompson's vote is testimony not only to his tireless contribution to European football but also a measure of the high esteem in which English football is held.

"I am delighted that the FA chairman will be serving European football again for the next four years. His position on the Executive Committee ensures that English football remains at the forefront of decision-making in UEFA".

The full results of the elections were as follows:

Marios Lefkaritis (Cyprus) - 47
Geoffrey Thompson (England) - 46
Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder (Germany) - 46
Dr Franco Carraro (Italy) - 41
Dr Matthieu Sprengers (Netherlands) - 37
Dr Viacheslav Koloskov (Russia) - 34
Per Ravn Omdal (Norway) - 33

Dr Joseph Mifsud (Malta) will serve the remaining 2 years of Luxembourg's Henri Roemer's 4-year term. Mr Roemer has stepped down to accept a role of Special Adviser.

Croatia's Vlatko Markovic failed in his election attempt with 27 votes while Portugal's Dr Gilberto Madaíl withdrew his application before the proceedings.