Arguably the most important person in English football has vowed to be as actively involved in grassroots football as he can.

Speaking on his visit to Cumbria yesterday, the new chairman of the Football Association Greg Clarke, who recently went to an FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie between Egham Town and St Albans City, said: "You don't get the job done by sitting in your office."

Mr Clarke is likely to play a major role in the appointment of the next England manager after Sam Allardyce left the role in September.

The former Football League chairman was certainly in less glamorous surroundings than he is used to as he watched local schoolchildren play on a field, next to the Sheepmount Athletics Stadium.

But Mr Clarke seemed to enjoy watching the youngsters play the Beautiful Game.

On his visit, he said: "You get the job done by getting out to where the real action is, which is places like this.

"You need to find out how the facilities are being used and how people are coping in a crisis by doing things like watching the kids, both boys and girls, get into the game at an early age.

"I aim to spend a lot of my time out of the office, talking to real people about the real issues we have in football today across England."

Mr Clarke also paid tribute to Carlisle United after their unbeaten start to the League Two season.

"I've been to Carlisle United quite a few times," said the man, who spent more than five years as the chairman of the Football League.

"I know some of the guys there and one of them, John Nixon [co-owner], has been on the FA and the Football League Board.

"I will be going up there later to wish them well because they are a cracking club and it's really good to see them doing well."

By and large, sports clubs appear to be getting back on track after Storm Desmond last year, with most sporting facilities back in use.

And Mr Clarke admitted he had looked on in admiration as Cumbria fought back after the floods.

"Certainly, I think the whole of the UK looked on in admiration at how the Cumbrians coped with the crisis," he said.

"I watched it unfolding on the television and saw the people putting a smile on their face, they just kept going.

"People went out and were happy to clear their neighbour's houses up.

"That sort of spirit has won admiration across the UK. The more we see of that, the better off our country will be."

A special feature on Mr Clarke's visit to Cumbria this week will be available in tomorrow's Cumberland News.