by Our Sports Desk

The Football Association’s new chief executive Martin Glenn was yesterday warned by his predecessor that the declining number of English players poses a significant risk to the success of the national team.

It was Glenn’s first day in his position and increasing the opportunities for English players in elite football will be one of his key tasks.

In the FA’s annual report for 2013-14, which has been lodged with Companies House, his predecessor Alex Horne says the financial fortunes of the FA are closely tied to the success of the England team and states the decline in English players as being one of the “principal risks and uncertainties” that could undermine the governing body’s position.

Horne states: “The number of English-qualified players playing at the top end of English football continues to decline, presenting a risk to the success of England teams at all levels.

“The (FA) group is dependent on market conditions and the perception of the performance of the England senior men’s team, the appeal of the FA Cup and the ability to fill Wembley Stadium.”

The annual report states the FA is in a “strong position” currently having secured broadcast deals through to 2018. The governing body made an operating profit of £32 million from turnover of £332m in 2013-14, up around 11 per cent on the previous year, after having invested £115m back into the game.

FA chairman Greg Dyke has proposed under his England Commission that the minimum number of home-grown players in a club’s first-team squad of 25 will increase from eight to 12, phased over four years from 2016.

That plan put Dyke on a collision course with Premier League clubs and the FA chairman said in the annual report that he “accepts not everyone supports our proposed changes to the professional game structure” but that he would be willing to consider any idea to find a solution.