England: Greg Clarke named as Greg Dyke's replacement as FA chairman

Clarke will officially begin work as chairman of the FA on September 2

New FA chairman Greg Clarke (Getty)

Greg Clarke is the new chairman of the Football Association after being officially ratified for the position by the organisation's board.

After he was approved by the FA board last month, Clarke, the former Football League chairman, was endorsed at a special meeting at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

Clarke becomes the successor to Greg Dyke, who stepped down after three years in charge earlier this summer. David Gill, the former Manchester United chief executive, served as acting chairman, and he will now resume his duties as vice-chairman for the organisation.

Clarke, who will officially begin work as chairman of the FA on September 2, said: "I'm delighted to be confirmed at the next chairman of the FA and I'm relishing the challenge.

"My experience as a Council member for the FA has given me an insight into the excellent work this organisation undertakes at every level of the game.

"It's an honour for me to be joining at such a pivotal point in its recent history and I'd like to thank the board and the Council for their continued support."

Clarke spent six years at the Football League helm before stepping down this summer. He previously served as chairman at Leicester, where he worked alongside FA chief executive Martin Glenn.

He also boasts a distinguished business career having held senior roles at Cable & Wireless, Bupa, the Met Office and FTSE 250 company Redefine International.

The news of Clarke's appointment comes with new England manager Sam Allardyce set to announce his first squad ahead of taking charge of his inaugural game - a World Cup qualifier against Slovakia - on September 4. The FA has confirmed Clarke will travel to Slovakia for the tie with chief executive Martin Glenn.

"The FA has the ability to have the most positive effect on football in this country - from the grassroots game all the way through to the men's and women's senior England teams," Clarke, speaking to the Football Association website, added.

"I'm looking forward to continuing that good work and playing my part in representing an FA that we can all be proud of."

PA.