Dein in pole to become FA chairman

21 December 2010 16:30

David Dein is the front-runner to be chosen as the new Football Association chairman when board members gather on Wednesday for one of their most important meetings in recent history.

Dein, the 67-year-old former Arsenal and FA vice-chairman, has emerged as the favourite to secure the position.

The appointment is not the only major issue however - the board will also hear a post mortem of England's failure to host the 2018 World Cup from bid chief executive Andy Anson, and the first details of a review of international player development from Sir Trevor Brooking and general secretary Alex Horne.

The appointment of a new permanent chairman follows Lord Triesman's enforced resignation in May.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside is head of the nominations committee appointed to find Triesman's successor, and he is expected to present one name, or possibly two, to fellow board members on Wednesday.

Acting chairman Roger Burden was initially the favourite until he withdrew his application following England 2018's controversial World Cup defeat on the grounds that he "could not trust" FIFA.

Sir Keith Mills, the deputy chairman of the London 2012 Olympics and a Tottenham board member, was viewed as another potential candidate but he has ruled himself out on the grounds of lack of time, leaving Dein as the outright favourite.

Other names linked with the post include Andrew Croker, son of ex-FA general secretary Ted Croker, and ex-Football League chairman David Sheepshanks.

Dein has not always seen eye to eye with Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards, but it is understood he will not try to block his appointment.

Appointing Dein would also be welcomed by the Government who are watching proceedings carefully before making any moves to reform the governance of the organisation.

Source: PA