Is Craig Foster the man to turn the FFA around?

A former Socceroos captain. A former CEO of Professional Footballer's Australia. The next Football Federation Australia Chairman?

Craig Foster has set his sights on earning election to the FFA Board and though yet to confirm his intentions beyond that point, he could well replace the outgoing Steven Lowy as one of the most powerful men in Australian football.

One of 12 nominees to have put their hand up to be added to a new look FFA Board with four spots to be filled, Foster has very quickly become one of the most proactive setting up his own website 'Believe In Our Game' which underlines his vision for the future of football in Australia.

As the name of the site would suggest, Foster wants to see belief restored in the round ball game and quickly stressed he alone won't have the ability to resolve every problem.

"What’s really important here is to understand that no one has all the answers, moving forward must be a collaborative effort from everyone with something to offer," Foster wrote.

"As we have often said, we don’t need another saviour, just the best people working together with trust, a passion for football to succeed and a belief in who we are."

Foster goes on to identify a number of issues he believes need to be addressed moving forward including: high registration fees, cost of coaching licences, properly engaging fans, ensuring a thriving football media and harnessing the power of indigenous football.

While most well known for his work on SBS, the 49-year-old isn't shy on experience away from the TV cameras having completed a Masters in International Sport Management from the Johan Cruyff Institute, previously been a judge for the Ballon d’Or and served on the Council for Australian Latin America Relations.

Though rubbing some people the wrong way with his punditry, there's no questioning Foster's enthusiasm for football and it's something the round ball game could benefit from right now in Australia.

He does however face stiff competition for election to the FFA with Stephen Conroy, Judith Griggs, Remo Nogarotto and Linda Norquay among the early favourites.

Interestingly, Football Today analysed all 12 nominees, plus current board members Crispin Murray and Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, based on specific criteria with Foster rating the highest.

On paper, the former Crystal Palace defender is certainly putting forward a compelling case and would no doubt bring something different to an FFA Board in desperate need of some inspiration.