Over 1,000 leading figures from world football gathered at Stamford Bridge today as Chelsea hosted the inaugural Leaders in Football conference.

The event is an exclusive two-day international business summit which incorporates a series of marketing workshops and an exhibition, and is an international gathering with representatives from Uefa, Fifa and clubs from leagues such as the Bundesliga and La Liga, including Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Chairman of the FA, Lord David Triesman (pictured, watched by David Davies, former acting chief executive of the FA), launched the conference with a debate-inducing speech, covering topics from funding inside the game and grass roots football to respect for the rules and discrimination inside the game.

The former player, coach and referee addressed delegates from governing bodies and brands of the game on his aims and ambitions for English football's governing body.

'Our vision for the years 2008-2012 seeks to make us a world class organisation with a winning mentality,' said Triesman.

'We want to win children and adults to our great game in building great facilities, in building through referees and administrators in record numbers, those who can sustain the game, and not least in winning respect for the rules for opponents, for officials, for football and for the values of our game.

'The drive and desire is to be the best we possibly can.'

Senior sports professionals, with vast experience in football at both federation and club level, are behind Leaders in Football, which is why it is uniquely placed to understand the varying needs of the global game.

'It is not possible or publicly plausible to act only in the interest of the richest clubs,' said Triesman, during his opening speech.

'And it is equally impossible and implausible to act as though the only values are in the amateur's game, played around the parks of England.'

Present during the day were chief executive of the Premier League, Richard Scudamore, who spoke with event host Garry Richardson, and outgoing chief executive of the FA Brian Barwick, as well as familiar names from football in David Dein and Rick Parry.

The conference continues on Wednesday, when there will be presentations from Uefa General Secretary David Taylor, president of the Asian Football Confederation Mohamed bin Hammam and our own chairman Bruce Buck, as well as chief scout and director of youth development Frank Arnesen.

For more information on the event, click here.