FOOTBALL: Visit of FA supremo is a pleasing first for Hunts
Pictured are, from the left, Marina Howlett (Hunts FA council member), Lawrie Cooke (Hunts FA director), Maurice Armstrong (Hunts FA chairman & FA Vice President), Greg Clarke (Football Association chairman), Mark Frost (Hunts FA secretary) and Dean Watson (Hunts FA development manager). - Credit: Archant
There was an historic occasion in Huntingdonshire last Friday when Greg Clarke became the first Football Association chairman to visit the county on official business.
Football Association chairman Greg Clarke (second left) with St Neots Town officials, from the left, Gary Sutton, Lee Kearns, Louise Spark and Iain Parr. - Credit: Archant
He was present for a meeting of four footballing counties - Hunts, Cambs, Norfolk and Suffolk - at Hunts FA headquarters, Ambury House, before visiting St Neots Town later in the day.
Clarke answered questions from representatives of the senior non-league clubs in the Hunts area.
Hunts FA secretary, Mark Frost said: “It was an honour to welcome Greg and we had a constructive meeting, letting him know what we do and sharing our concerns as to the drop-off of the traditional 11-v-11 game.
“Every county FA is experiencing a similar trend due to the changing dynamics of the population, who are either unable to commit to regular Saturday or Sunday football, or who chose to play other sports.
“This is something that the Football Association is keen to address very quickly, but there is no magic panacea to the problem.
“All in all it is safe to say he was impressed with what is being achieved by all within the county, and also with our new headquarters.”
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While at St Neots, Clarke watched the club’s scholars train under the guidance of Andy Davies, and toured their new education facilities.
