Paul delighted with sports job

A FORMER St Ives resident has been appointed as the new chief executive of one of Britain s largest sports charities. Paul Thorogood, 49, who grew up in St Ives and attended St Ivo School, is the new head of The Football Foundation, a partnership funded b

A FORMER St Ives resident has been appointed as the new chief executive of one of Britain's largest sports charities.

Paul Thorogood, 49, who grew up in St Ives and attended St Ivo School, is the new head of The Football Foundation, a partnership funded by the Premier League, the FA and the Government.

Paul, who now lives in Wiltshire, will oversee work rejuvenating grass-roots sports facilities and schemes which include improving and replacing the country's football grounds.

"I am extremely proud and privileged to be asked to lead such an enthusiastic, committed and talented team that is the Football Foundation," said Paul, who spent 30 years in the Royal Air Force.

Paul was also chairman of the RAF's Football Association and has been involved in football administration for the past 20 years.

Paul's mother Marjorie Thorogood, who lives in Hill Rise, St Ives, added: "He always wanted to be a footballer and it is a dream job for him to work in football."

Paul, who is married to Janet and has an 18-year old son, William, takes over at the Football Foundation from Peter Lee.

INFORMATION: The Football Foundation has funded more than 20,000 projects ranging from free kit for junior teams to state of the art sports centres. To find out more visit www.footballfoundation.org.uk