Who is Lord Triesman?

When Brian Barwick walks out of Soho Square for the last time on 31st December 2008, it will be 11 months to the day since Lord Triesman became Football Association Chairman.

Barwick is leaving the FA following "several weeks of discussions" with Triesman, in a move which seems more like a coup than the restructuring mentioned in the announcement.

Not everybody is interested in football politics, but those who are have spent today theorising.

Reports of a power struggle between CEO Barwick and Triesman are unconfirmed and likely to remain so. It would certainly explain everything. With Barwick on his way out, I expect 2009 to see a new, Triesman-friendly top dog in the Association. According (so I hear) to a reporter on BBC Radio WM, Trevor Brooking's been walking around with a smug "it's me!" grin on his face. Then again, that's our Trev.

It strikes me as a strange time to be removing Barwick - assuming that's what happened. He appointed Steve McClaren, and should have fallen on his sword twice as a result: first, upon his appointment and, second, after abject failure and McClaren's sacking.

The National Game Strategy, the Respect inititiative and the hiring of Fabio Capello are all, in my view, very positive. Maybe we can now assume they're all down to Lord Triesman. I guess we'll never know.

So who is Lord Triesman?

Well, his real name is David Triesman, or Baron Triesman to the likes of you and I. He has connections with London and Essex, and he's a Tottenham Hotspur fan. Oh and he's a Labour peer. Those two words never did sit comfortably together for me, even before the...ahem...peerages thing, but there you go.

On the (almost) plus side, he's ex Communist Party, he got suspended from university for 'radicalism' and he's voted for equal gay rights and the fox hunting ban in the House of Lords. He's also got a decent record of actually showing up for votes, which is nice.

He's been a life peer since 2004 and FA Chairman since 31st January this year.

I think it's safe to say most football fans know nothing of Lord Triesman. But as far as I can tell, the FA's done pretty well this year compared to its usual performance. And Triesman has been responsible for my favourite 2008 Football Association moment, so I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.

My main concerns are thus: I don't think Brian Barwick was doing too bad a job, after learning from several mistakes, and I'm a little worried about this 'power struggle' rumour. Maybe not such a loving red pal of the people after all.

Still, clean slate for the FA. Again. Here's hoping the progress continues despite this massive disruption. And please, please, do not give Trevor Brooking any power.