REPRESENTING Northumberland within the national Football Association, Prudhoe resident Alan Wright has had a big say in grassroots football.

The 74-year-old has been on the full council of the FA at Wembley for the past five years, the passionate Northumbrian highly regarded throughout the country for his sterling work promoting grassroots football through his long-standing role with Northumberland FA.

One year ahead of the required time to step down, Alan has decided the time was right to end his involvement with the sport's governing body after dedicating 37 years to the cause.

Alan joined the county FA when its office was just somebody's living room in Mickley in 1979, and he has played a big part in the development of the organisation particularly as president and chairman since 1992.

His retirement paves the way for former Tynedale Ladies FC manager Steve Ord to take over in the capacity at the county's HQ at Blue Flames.

Alan is set to be named a life president at Northumberland FA for his untiring work, and the Kepwell Road resident reflects fondly back on his long spell.

He said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed the majority of my time with the FA, and there have certainly been more highs than lows.

"If it had been possible to stay as a national representative of the FA I would have as I love going to London, but you have to go if you're not on the county FA anymore.

"I have been very fortunate to meet some lovely people through my time with the FA, and I was lucky enough to be introduced to Prince William at a university dinner, and what a lovely fellow he is.

"Everybody has got to go at some time and I thought now would be the best time."

Alan has been through it all with Northumberland FA since joining the organisation when it was run in the living room of secretary Jack Laidler, manned by a girl who worked two-and-a-half days.

He explained how the association outgrew the room and moved to a small office in the south of Newcastle, which was 'a little dump of a place'.

It continued its travels but didn't last long in an expensive office in Jesmond, with an office block in Seaton Burn found which Alan was instrumental in securing.

He said: "Sir John Hall, as he did, invited himself to the opening day at Seaton Burn and he said he knew we were a bit tight for money and asked how short we were.

"I said £5,000 and he told me Newcastle United would give us it, but no sooner had he said it then the phone rang and he was told the referee was calling the Newcastle game off.

"He was furious and said he had to go, but just before he did I made an announcement to everybody to thank Sir John and Newcastle for the donation to make sure he couldn't go back on it!"

Alan has remained in post through the various developments, and was proud as punch when the association was in a position to have its own custom built headquarters built in Jesmond, along with a state-of-the-art football pitch.

He said: "From that girl doing two-and-a-half days a week, the FA now has a full time chief executive officer and eight full time staff.

"I worked very closely with long time chief executive Roland Maughan, who died earlier this year, and we had some great times. Apart from being a superb CEO, we were the best of friends for all those years and my wife and I always used to go to dinner with Roland and his wife."

The stepping down from the FA officially cuts Alan's ties with his distinguished spell in football.

Among his many highlights was his spell as manager of the hugely successful Prudhoe East End, previously Ovington, team of the 1980s, his team winning both the Northumberland Minor Cup and Benevolent Bowls before making a stir in the Senior Cup.

He also oversaw the creation of the football ground and clubhouse at the former tip in the town, still in use today by Prudhoe Town.

Alan said: "When we changed to Prudhoe East, there was just a massive hole in the ground where the old refuse tip had been. I gave Thompson's of Prudhoe access to free tipping there, and we build the clubhouse on top!

"At the time, my wife said I was crazy getting involved but it has stood the test of time and I'm proud about that."

Alan's last involvement with Northumberland FA was to recommend Steve Ord to take over the role, believing he was the right man for the job.

In addition to his time with Tynedale Ladies and a pivotal part of the North East Regional Women's League, 57-year-old Steve has served on the association's board for the past 11 years and on the executive committee of Blyth Spartans.

He said: "I’m delighted to take up this prestigious role and I am looking forward to working with all associated with the Northumberland FA to ensure that everybody has a level playing field so that they can enjoy football across the region.

“We have a brand-new set-up at the Northumberland FA, led by our proactive CEO, John Ackerley. Having met with John a number of times, I’m glad to say that our thoughts are very much aligned with regards to moving the county FA forward, and we’re both excited about what the future holds."