Football League appoint new chairman

The Football League have appointed Greg Clarke, the former chief executive of Cable and Wireless Communications, to be their new chairman.

Clarke succeeds Lord Brian Mawhinney who has stepped down after seven years as chairman.

A Leicester City supporter, Clarke, 52, last month stepped down as chief executive of O3b, the Google-backed satellite broadband company.

Until last year he was head of Australian property giants Lend Lease that is building the London 2012 Olympic Village.

Clarke, who was chairman of Leicester for a short period, said: "I am honoured to be taking up the position of chairman of The Football League. As a lifelong and committed football fan it is a privilege to serve the game in this capacity.

"My time at Leicester City provided an insight into the challenges clubs face on a daily basis. The lessons learnt from that experience will not be forgotten.

"I look forward to joining a highly successful organisation whose clubs are at the heart of their communities. I intend to build on The League's recent successes and represent all our 72 clubs."