Our footballers can inspire the nation... just like Olympic stars did in 2012, says Duke of Cambridge at FA's 150th anniversary gala

Prince William has celebrated the FA founders at a 150th anniversary gala
However, he said there was 'more work to do' to end racism in sport
Called on England players to take up Olympic legacy and inspire others
Greg Dyke praised Kick It Out which celebrates 20th anniversary this year

PUBLISHED: 14:56 EST, 26 October 2013 | UPDATED: 10:21 EST, 27 October 2013

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FA President Prince William has called on England's footballers to inspire a nation like the Olympic athletes did last year

The Duke of Cambridge has said he wants England's football players to take up the Olympic legacy and inspire the next generation.

Speaking at the 150th anniversary gala of the FA, Prince William, the association's president, praised those who had helped develop the sport.

He also said that 'more work needs to be done' to rid the sport of racism after Manchester City's Yaya Toure complained of monkey chants from CSKA Moscow fans.

The Duke said: 'I am proud of the work of Kick it Out, which is also celebrating an anniversary - its 20th - this year.

'There is sadly more work to do, but it is heartening to see how seriously the FA takes stamping the blight of racism and discrimination out of football.

Praising the FA, he added: 'Tonight is not just an English celebration'

'Football is international in every possible way and I believe that the game's constantly evolving spirit and appeal is a consolidation of all its global influences. Every nation should be proud of their contribution to 150 years of football.

'With all that in mind, I consider my position as President of The FA to be an honour and a privilege.'

Addressing dignitaries such as FIFA president Sepp Blatter, his UEFA counterpart Michel Platini and England manager Roy Hodgson, Prince William said: 'Our national players are role models for millions of young people and I think we need to give those highly pressured and driven players the support and training they need to live up to their rightly exalted status.

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The first official rule book, held here by Prince William and Greg Dyke, was drawn up 150 years ago today

Speech: FA President Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, talked on stage at the FA150 Gala

By royal appointment: The Duke of Cambridge met England manager Roy Hodgson at the dinner

'We were as a nation so proud of our Team GB athletes at the Olympics and Paralympics, for their success on the field but also for the way they conducted themselves in interviews and with their competitors.

'It is perfectly possible to say the same about our national teams - they are good people, ambitious for success and to a man and woman aware of their status as role models.'

The Duke went on to congratulate Hodgson for qualifying for the next World Cup in 2014 in Rio and praised FA chairman Greg Dyke for setting up a commission to improve the national team

Prince William cracks an Aston Villa joke at FA dinner

'I am glad to see that, under the new Chairman and Commission, there is renewed vigour to improve the competitive quality of our national game, for all our sakes,' William added.

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'But I would also encourage us to make sure we retain sportsmanship at the heart of this energetic drive for success

'Regrettably, Her Majesty's reign includes only one time that England won the World Cup, but I know that Greg and Roy are trying to make up for lost time now.'

Power: FA chairman Greg Dyke and FIFA president Sepp Blatter get together for a chat

Safe hands: England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence arriving at the dinner in central London

Strike: Former England international Michael Owen at the FA dinner in central London

In a separate speech, Greg Dyke, who replaced the old FA chairman David Bernstein in July, also praised the work of anti-racist campaigners and said he was hopeful about the future of the sport.

He said: 'There has been a huge historical focus this year, and rightly so.

'We should be proud of what our founders created and what The FA has continued in their name. But we should also be proud of what we are currently doing.

'Our consistent theme across the year has been to celebrate The FA's support for the grassroots game which has always been fundamental to The FA's role in football.

'At every turn, we have highlighted the work done right across the country by 400,000 volunteers and also highlighted what is being achieved with the £100m we put back into the game every year.

The FA celebrates its 150th Birthday

In attendance: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was interviewed ahead of the dinner

Guest: Former Bolton Wanderers player Fabrice Muamba at the dinner at the Grand Connaught Rooms

'We are all privileged to spend our days involved in football, to wake up in the morning and go to bed at night with football in our lives. We sincerely owe a debt of thanks to Ebenezer Morley and his contemporaries for the work they did 150 years ago.

'But with that involvement comes responsibility, responsibility for ensuring that football continues in good health, responsibility for ensuring it continues to thrive.

'Here in England The FA's task is to ensure as many people as possible can get involved in the game.'

Dyke also used the occasion to remember those who lost their lives in incidents at Hillsborough, Valley Parade and Burnden Park.

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Teflon, NotRome, United Kingdom, 1 day ago

Where's his Poppy!!!!!!! As future Head of Our Armed Forces this is Disgusting that he is chasing celebratey before compasion. far too far removed from the people on the street. Puts his Mother to shame.

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AS, USUAL, United States, 1 day ago

Does Britain now depend of soccer players and Olympics as its source of self esteem? I mean, nothing like actual accomplishment, scientific advance or anything real? So sad.

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chaz, nottingham, 1 day ago

Maybe he needs more coaching on not saying silly things. Our footballers will definitely not inspire anyone. They will most certainly disappoint.

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vmcla, Toronto, Canada, 1 day ago

I guess Kate wasn't there. Oh well.

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ModernDayCommonSense, Oxford, 1 day ago

Rose tinted fishbowl.

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Euan, Tallinn, Estonia, 1 day ago

Yeah, of course they do with their nice big handsome paychecks. Do you think we'll ever get a taste of that?

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bluto, uk sleepwalking into oblivion, 1 day ago

The "kick & giggle" brigade to inspire...your having a larff

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Grandma Betsy, my cozy little home, Australia, 1 day ago

In regard to football, everyone knows the world cup is corrupt. There are no video refs and the people refs are corrupt. No way will a team that is not european be allowed to win.

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hmmmmmm, England, 1 day ago

My interpretation: lots of children idolise footballers, they need to do good so children follow in their foot steps!

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poppychat, paris, 1 day ago

Yes, let's look for inspiration to men paid at least £25,000 a week, the average national salary, for kicking a ball around (and I am a football fan), and let's take this advice seriously from someone with vast unearned wealth by nature of his birth. Where is the encouragement for children to aspire to careers in science, medecine, the caring professions? I doubt William would be able to get a job earning the minimum wage if it wasn't for his background.