FORMER Bristol policeman Roy Schafer has spoken of his 'delight' after being chosen to represent the Gloucestershire FA (GFA) on the Football Association Council, writes Simon Parkinson.

Schafer, who currently serves as deputy chairman of the GFA, replaces Roger Burden as the county’s representative on the national association.

Burden, who is chairman of the GFA and vice-chairman of the FA, has been made a vice president on the game’s national body, opening the door for the GFA to elect a new representative to work alongside English football’s top brass for the first time since Burden was handed the role in 1995.

Schafer, born and raised in Bedminster who went on to become a Bridewell-based bobby in Bristol for some 31 years, said: “I’m delighted; it’s a great personal honour to be given these duties and I’m determined to maintain my links with the grassroots game.

“It’s promising to be a busy role; I’ll be attending meetings at Wembley and St George’s Park and attending various FA competitions as an observer, as well as sitting on the FA’s Referees’ Committee.

“It’s nice that the work I have done in local football has been recognised in this way.”

Schafer, who was once secretary of the old Bristol Wednesday League, joined the GFA Council in 1985 and played, managed and refereed at various levels in the region.