Clarke Carlisle believes the recent Manchester County FA council elections indicate how the County FA is becoming more representative of football across Greater Manchester.
The inclusion advisory board chairman was speaking after last month’s EGM where MCFA’s full members voted to elect six new representatives.
Mossley AFC, FC United, the Manchester League and Greater Manchester Schools FA will all have representation on council.
They are joined by West End Boys & Girls and Heyside Juniors who benefited from recent changes to MCFA membership rules that now recognise FA Charter Standard Community Clubs as full members, therefore permitting them to stand
for election.
Carlisle believes this change has proved fundamental to ensuring that all those involved in grassroots are better represented.
"The appointments reflect our ongoing commitment for the County FA to work progressively towards representing the demographics of local football,” he said.
"The bold changes in the membership rules have enabled a wider net of people wishing to contribute to play their part. As chair of IAB I wish to congratulate the six new appointments and look forward to meeting them soon."
Chris Dyson will now represent the Manchester League and is not only an active welfare officer, but has also represented the East Manchester Junior League and sits on the referee development team.
Dyson hopes that his wealth of experience will aid MCFA’s progress moving forwards.
“It is an honour to have been elected to become a council member,” he said. “I will be proud to fulfil this role to the best of my ability and for the good of grassroots football."
“Having represented clubs, leagues and referees, I believe that as a council member I have the relevant experience to represent the whole grassroots game. I look forward to contributing to the County FA’s vision for the future.”
Manchester County FA chief executive Colin Bridgford has assured all involved in grassroots football that missing out on Sport England funding will not prevent the development of the local game.
Nottingham pipped both Manchester and Portsmouth to the inaugural city of football title and with it gleaned £1.6m to assist them in increasing participation.
With City, United and Manchester City Council all key players in a consortium made up of numerous private and public partners, Bridgford believes the relationships garnered during the process could prove as valuable as the funding the consortium had sought. “Although Manchester was unsuccessful, Manchester County FA will continue to work alongside the organisations within the consortium,” he explained.
“The process has helped us to forge strong relationships and discover exactly what Manchester residents need to allow them to play football. “This knowledge will not be wasted and we will take what we have learnt to shape the future of the grassroots game.”
Bridgford was equally quick to add his congratulations to those behind the winning bid. "All at MCFA would like to congratulate those involved in the Nottingham bid," he added. "We know how much time and effort the consortium here in Manchester has contributed and we know that this effort will have been replicated by the teams representing both Portsmouth and Nottingham.
"In Manchester we will reflect, review and consider the items we can continue to consider that will help to make a contribution to grassroots football in our great city.”