Trefor Lloyd Hughes: Grassroots central in Fifa vice-presidency bid

Image caption, Trefor Lloyd Hughes was first elected to the FAW council in 1989

Welsh FA president Trefor Lloyd Hughes says his background in grassroots football will help in his bid for a place on Fifa's executive committee.

Hughes is up against English FA nominee David Gill, the ex-Manchester United chief executive, for the Fifa vice-presidency reserved for the four British associations.

Member countries will ballot at the Uefa congress in March.

"I know what it's like at the very bottom," said Lloyd.

"I've started at the very bottom and that's why I'm so passionate about moving ahead in developing the game.

Image source, PA

Image caption, David Gill has been nominated to bid for a Fifa spot by the Football Association

"It's vital we put more money into the development of the game. That's where the future lies, the grassroots of football.

"Without them you couldn't carry on, the game would die."

The vacancy has become available because incumbent Jim Boyce of Northern Ireland is retiring in May and has said he has no interest in standing again.

Hughes started as a volunteer for local village side Bodedern on Anglesey where he helped out in a variety of roles, including marking the pitch and trainer.

He later became the North Wales Coast FA Area Association representative on the FAW council and has acted as the secretary of the Anglesey League, the Welsh Alliance and North Wales Coast Football Association.

Holyhead-based Hughes was elected president of the FAW in 2012, succeeding Phil Pritchard, and is bidding to become the first Welsh Fifa vice-president.