The Duke of Cambridge celebrates the FA's 150th birthday

150 years ago to the day (Saturday 26 October) since the Founding Fathers of football met to form The Football Association and create the first laws of the game, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, the President of The FA, has recorded a message talking of his personal passion for the biggest sport in the world.

In the video HRH The Duke of Cambridge says that as a keen football fan he takes great pride in his role as President of The FA. He says it is important to him that grassroots football has played a pivotal role in The FA's celebrations to mark its 150th anniversary. The organisation creates opportunities for more than seven million people to regularly play the game.

On his role as President of The FA, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, said:
"I've always loved football since I was a young boy. I've never got any better at it but I keep saying to myself if you keep trying, eventually something will happen.

"It's always meant a great deal to me being President of The FA. There's a lot of good that football can do around the world, and in this country. But globally it is a huge force for good and a lot of people love, respect and enjoy their football more than anything else in their lives.

"Being President of an organisation that can reach that many people and affect a lot of lives through sport is hugely important."

On being asked whether he will be taking HRH Prince George of Cambridge to Villa Park in the near future, he smiled wryly and said: "When (Aston) Villa thrash Man U (Manchester United) at Villa Park, my son will be there."

Football has come a long way since Arthur Pember became The FA's first President in 1863, but as part of the 150th anniversary the sport witnessed a first as its current President helped to arrange the first ever game to be played at Buckingham Palace. The match was part of an event which paid tribute to 150 Heroes representing more than 400,000 volunteers across the nation, that help support grassroots football.

When asked if it was easy to get permission for the match to take place, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, said:
"No, it wasn't. There was one person I needed to get permission from, my grandmother. She was extremely supportive, but there was a little bit of a sweating moment for me having to ask her, with the possibility that her lawn might turn into a massive quagmire."

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