Chance of American football team moving to London edges closer after high-level talks

The prospect of an American football club moving to London moved closer today following high-level talks about establishing the game in Britain.

Chancellor George Osborne met the game’s governing body in Downing Street this morning and discussed plans to get more British youngsters playing the sport.

Mayor Boris Johnson also held detailed discussions over the weekend, when he offered to help the with issues around training and transport links.

He also pledged to continue spectacular fan rallies in central London that have drawn fans from across the country.

“Ultimately I’d like to see an National Football League team based here, and I told the NFL we will do everything we can to make that happen,” the Chancellor told the Standard after hosting NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and other officials.

They talked about increasing grass roots participation and whether American football could be played in schools.

Some 40,000 Britons support the game in clubs and Wembley has staged three hugely successful regular season games, culminating in a clash between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Dallas Cowboys.

Mr Osborne and his family, plus Culture Secretary Sajid Javid, attended yesterday’s sell-out match where Mr Johnson tossed the coin.

Mr Johnson said: “The growth of the sport in London over the last few years has been spectacular. Given the fan base here I’m confident a franchise in London is a real possibility in the years to come.

“We enjoy a special relationship with the NFL and it was helpful to spend some time with the Commissioner over the weekend to discuss what we can do together to grow the game – both professionally and at grass roots level.”

The Mayor wants closer links with the NFL and the Greater London Authority and with governing bodies of other UK sports.

Mr Goodell commented: “We have always enjoyed a great relationship with the Mayor of London, and are excited by the future prospects here.”