FA chief Lord Triesman: Chelsea are ''pioneers''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...and&cc=3436

The chairman of the FA, Lord Triesman, has described Chelsea as "pioneers" in making English football more international.

While Chelsea have felt targeted by FIFA and UEFA in recent years for their transfer policy, Russian owner Roman Abramovich will be proud that the FA recognises the club's place in forwarding the brand of English football, which includes so many world-class foreign stars.

Lord Triesman, speaking at the Leaders of Football business event at Stamford Bridge, described the West London stadium complex as "one of the most iconic sports venues."

He added: "It is hard to believe, as you look around now that there were times when the football club needed to rent Stamford Bridge out. I don't even want to imagine what the ground staff or Mr Abramovich would say if someone came along with such a proposal now.

"Today, Chelsea is at the forefront of a game that is more global than it has ever been. The club has been a pioneer in recent years as domestic football has become more international.

"By signing the very best European stars - Gianluca Vialli, Ruud Gullit, Gianfranco Zola - stars who enriched our game and who, in several cases, stayed on to pursue coaching, managerial and media careers in England. We learned from stars from around the world. We continue to do so today, and not least from Fabio Capello.

"Chelsea was the first club to win the FA Cup under a non-British manager when Ruud Gullit lifted the famous and oldest trophy 12 years ago. So few clubs symbolise or have lived the dream produced by the changes of the last 15 years more than this one.

"These are changes some might say are among the most profound since the birth of professional football. Changes that echoed throughout English football...and world football. Changes that have driven the process of football's globalisation."

I think that there was some FA meeting at Stamford Bridge.

The speech was made there, so it's probably just a polite speech to say something nice about the guests, and a load of bollocks.

I think that there was some FA meeting at Stamford Bridge.

The speech was made there, so it's probably just a polite speech to say something nice about the guests, and a load of bollocks.

Do you always have to look at the bad side when it comes to the FA?

Maybe this is something good, that he's actually come out and said publically, we have no proof to prove otherwise.

Do you always have to look at the bad side when it comes to the FA?

Maybe this is something good, that he's actually come out and said publically, we have no proof to prove otherwise.

Do they have a good side?

Where was Triesman when UEFA f*cked us over in last years CL and in this years Kakuts saga? He certainly wasn't defending one of the clubs his association represents, an association who actually OK'd the deal with the French FA!!

Counting the money from SKY, that's where he was!!

England games on the internet, 30% of our national stadium sold to corporates........a friendly V Brazil, in Dubai of all places........The FA sold it's soul a long time ago. The premier league is nothing more than a cash cow they milk on a regular basis without putting anything back into grass roots.

An honest question........How many FA coaching schools do you know of up and down the country since they closed Lillishall?

Do they have a good side?

Where was Triesman when UEFA f*cked us over in last years CL and in this years Kakuts saga? He certainly wasn't defending one of the clubs his association represents, an association who actually OK'd the deal with the French FA!!

Counting the money from SKY, that's where he was!!

England games on the internet, 30% of our national stadium sold to corporates........a friendly V Brazil, in Dubai of all places........The FA sold it's soul a long time ago. The premier league is nothing more than a cash cow they milk on a regular basis without putting anything back into grass roots.

An honest question........How many FA coaching schools do you know of up and down the country since they closed Lillishall?

Plus he's allowed Warner to jump us in front of FIFA on the World cup bid. "Lightweight" Warner called him: suspect there's a grain of truth in that, even if Warner is an a$$ who's got it in for English football. Triesman should be a lion, fighting for our position in world football, instead I fear he is a donkey, a typical British civil service tw@t.

Edited October 9, 200916 yr by d-vder

Plus he's allowed Warner to jump us in front of FIFA on the World cup bid. "Lightweight" Warner called him: suspect there's a grain of truth in that.

He should have come back with 'Can your son get us some tickets Mr Warner'' and showed him up for the corrupt ticket tout he really is.

He should have come back with 'Can your son get us some tickets Mr Warner'' and showed him up for the corrupt ticket tout he really is.

You got that right. :)

Do you always have to look at the bad side when it comes to the FA?

Maybe this is something good, that he's actually come out and said publically, we have no proof to prove otherwise.

What I'm trying to say is to take a look at the context in which these comments were made. If this ceremony was held at Old Trafford, this would be about Man U, if it was in the emirates it would be about Arsenal, etc.

Do you always have to look at the bad side when it comes to the FA?

Maybe this is something good, that he's actually come out and said publically, we have no proof to prove otherwise.

It is indeed something good, RBJ, but I’m afraid the making public part of this good news story isn’t really happening anywhere much other than in the soccer net/espn round. I’ve posted a new topic relating to what is almost the ritual burying of certain news items and, as it turns out, Triesman’s speech is central to the whole thing.