WAY pitches,excellent coaches and grass roots game -

DON’T WASTE IT!

ability that would be ours to accept, and at all times we will be guided so the stadium and Wembley brand are both protected and enhanced.

“Always know that Wembley will be home to England’s national teams and, under our stewardship, continue to be a destination for top global football matches and championships, as well as major events such as NFL football games and concerts.

“We will take excellent care of Wembley Stadium in every respect, and at all times be good citizens and neighbours here in London and

beyond.” Even elderly, more traditional FA members are firmly on board with the arrangement – and that says much about its appeal.

The FA announced in January that it was trying to pump £180m a year back into the game.

That represents a small fraction of what is likely to go directly into grass roots football now.

The worry has long been that facilities in England have been falling behind, while smaller nations such as Iceland have targeted big investment in youth development – and reaped rich rewards.

The FA have only owned Wembley for 10 years since it reopened.

Led by chief executive Martin Glenn, the FA are genuinely excited by the prospect of the deal going through as a way of revolutionising football in England.

They cannot afford

to waste it.