Old guard get selection task

ENGLAND yesterday nominated the men who will choose the successor to Terry Venables, and a bold look to the future it was not. The five man Football Association sub committee is notable for the lack of professional playing or managerial experience, while the average age of its members is not so much nudging the retirement age of 65 as assaulting it.

The two unheralded king makers are Keith Wiseman and Chris Wilcox, who join the FA chairman, Sir Bert Millichip (81), the international committee chairman, Noel White (66), and the chief executive, Graham Kelly (50). Wiseman, a 50 year old lawyer and director of Southampton, also serves as the England delegate on UEFA's club competitions committee, while 72 year old Wilcox is a Justice of the Peace and the FA vice chairman. He represents Gloucestershire on the FA Council.

The most notable absentee is the Oldham chairman, Ian Stott, one of three men who chose Venables two years ago. It was Stott's attack on the process to extend Venables' contract which some claim crystalised the coach's decision to leave after Euro 96.

The first task will be to draw up a short list, and Kelly insisted they will ignore the initial protests of several candidates, Kevin Keegan and Gerry Francis included, who have said they are not interested. "Nobody is ruled out and nobody is ruled in," he said. The option also remains for Jimmy Arm field to canvass opinion in the game, as he did before Venables was appointed.

Meanwhile, Bryan Rob son, favourite to take over from Venables, will be staying at Middlesbrough at least until the end of next season, according to Middlesbrough's chief executive Keith Lamb, who says he has received Robson's categoric assurance on his future at the club.

The FA meanwhile, has halted its attempts to mediate in the dispute between Venables and Alan Sugar. A statement said: "Some progress was made. The mediation process has now been halted for the time being. The mediator - Mr Charles Woodhouse of Farrer and Co - is extremely grateful to Mr Sugar and Mr Venables, and those advising them for the positive attitude they have shown."