The government has agreed a new three-year funding deal with the Premier League and Football Association, which will see a total of £135m of grants being ploughed into grass roots football.

The funding will be allocated via sports charity Football Foundation, which is operated in partnership by the three.

Each of the three funding partners has agreed to invest £15m per year over three years to enable the Football Foundation continue its work.

Since its inception in July 2000, the foundation has delivered thousands of facility and community projects, as well as free kit and safe goalposts.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore, said: “The Premier League and our member clubs have supported the Football Foundation since its creation back in July 2000.

“While our continued financial support has been critical to funding a new generation of grass roots facilities, the backing of Premier League clubs and their players has helped deliver and sustain partnerships in both the public and private sector.

“These have brought more investment and created more opportunities for increased participation in areas where it is needed most.”

The foundation directs 40 per cent of its funding into 20 per cent of the most deprived communities in England.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Andy Burnham said: “The Football Foundation has shown itself to be a massive force for good in the last eight years, increasing opportunities for young people to get involved in our national game and other sports, whether as players or coaches.

"It has also dramatically improved many sports facilities for communities up and down the country."