FOUR centenarians were the focus of attention at a poignant service at the Cenotaph in London to mark the 90th anniversary of the start of the First World War.

The quartet are among the only 23 known survivors from the Great War.

But inevitably, thoughts yesterday turned to the 750,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives.

Ninety years on, it is important that we remember. And it is important we continue to remember for many years to come.

Yesterday's memorial, this year's D-Day commemorations and next year's events to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, all serve to bring to the attention of new generations the sacrifices made on our behalf by past generations.

Today, it is difficult to imagine the scale of the losses during the world wars.

But they remain a chilling reminder of the dangers of nationalism, of aggression and of failed politics.

Playing by the rules

THIS is a hugely important day for the Football Association.

It is an opportunity for it to end the interest in the rather unseemly activities of a few of its employees, and turn attention to the start of the new season which is almost upon us.

Rightly, the FA expects proper behaviour on the field of play. In return, the public has a right to expect appropriate standards to be kept in the corridors of the FA headquarters.

Through certain liaisons and attempts to shield such liaisons from public attention, certain individuals are tainted. And in turn they have tainted the game of football.

Unless those at the helm of the FA have the courage today to take the decisive action necessary to restore its tarnished image, they risk losing the privilege of being the stewards of our national sport.