The Football Association Shareholders AGM today voted in favour of a reformed structure for The FA and ushered in a new era for the organisation.

At their meeting held at the new Wembley Stadium, the shareholders - comprised of the FA Council, Full Members Clubs, County FAs and other stakeholders in the game - voted by 718 votes in favour to 197 against to implement the changes.

This represents 78.5% of the total 915 votes cast passing the necessary 75% threshold.

The vote marks the successful end of the Structural Review process designed to make The FA a modern, effective governing body fully equipped to lead, develop and govern the modern game.

Among the major changes to The FA's structure are:
  • Two independent members of The FA Board (Chief Executive and Independent Chairman) alongside five representatives from the professional game and five from the national game (down from six each)
  • An expanded FA Council to better reflect the diversity of the game, with added representation for players, managers, referees, women's football, ethnic minorities and disability football, supporters, etc.
  • A re-organisation of The FA's committee structure to streamline decision-making and better define areas of authority
  • A semi-autonomous Football Regulatory Authority to govern the game, reporting to its own Board
  • A new Funding Formula dividing The FA's profits 50:50 between the professional and national games

Chief Executive Brian Barwick said: "Today's decision marks the start of an exciting new era for The Football Association and the end of a very complex process. I would like to thank the shareholders for their support in bringing in these changes which I am convinced will benefit both The FA and the game as a whole. This was a vote for change, and for a modern, representative and effective FA which is better equipped to take decisions in the wider interests of the game.

"I would like to thank Lord Burns for setting us on the path to modernisation, and to recognise the enormous amount of work that has gone into shaping his recommendations into a new-look FA."

Chairman Geoff Thompson said: "The FA is a unique and historic organisation, but we also have to make sure it is a relevant one. This is one of the most important days in The FA's 144-year existence.

"The Structural Review was an open and consultative process right from the start, with everyone involved in the game able to provide their views and opinions. As a result, there was a lot of healthy debate about the right way forward, but today's vote shows the overwhelming support for a more modern, more inclusive FA. I would like to congratulate Council and the Shareholders for their commitment to change."

The new Board, Council and Committees structures will come into effect following the FA Summer Meeting on 30 June. Membership of these bodies, as well as the Football Regulatory Authority, will be determined at this meeting.

The process for recruiting the Independent Chairman will also start this summer, with the new chairman to take office in summer 2008.

The Structural Review was agreed by The FA Board in early 2004, and Lord Burns was appointed as independent chairman in December that year. He produced his final recommendations in August 2005, following which four separate working parties were set up to shape his findings into a new constitutional structure for The FA.

In October 2006, The FA Council voted in favour of the various proposed changes, and approved the draft new rules and articles of association in March this year.