Lord Triesman began work on Friday as The FA's new Chairman, succeeding previous incumbent Geoff Thompson who stepped down yesterday.

Lord Triesman was unanimously recommended by The FA Board on 19 December and approved by The FA Council on 16 January, and is the organisation's first ever Independent Chairman.

A former grassroots player, coach and referee, Lord Triesman held a series of meetings whilst at Soho Square including an appointment with FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick who had returned from the UEFA Congress in Zagreb.

"I am delighted that I have the opportunity to make a significant difference to The FA," said Lord Triesman.

"My background is bringing people together and finding agreement, dealing with different personalities and different interests. Making good decisions is a team sport and I sense a strong will in the game to work together.

"I want to bridge the understandable differences of position between the professional and grassroots games, and I don't feel that I will be pushing stones uphill."

As a keen football fan, Lord Triesman wants to see success on the pitch at all levels, from the England senior team down to the grassroots.

"I want England to be qualifying for major tournaments and doing well in them," he said. "We have to look at how we develop and coach young players at all levels, at how talented youngsters come through the system."

Lord Triesman also said he was aware of how powerful football can be and stressed The FA 's commitment to developing all aspects of the game.

"Football is a huge cultural force," he added "The FA is working on a strategic vision and I want to have an opportunity to play a full role in that.

"It will obviously include youth development, but it's important that we ensure that other parts of football are not neglected, such as the women's game or football for players with disabilities. The key is allowing people to maximise their ability and have enormous fun doing it."