Non-league clubs will be able to win grants of up to £150,000 thanks to a two-year initiative announced today.
Budweiser, which already sponsors the FA Cup, will plough £1million into grassroots football.
The money will be available to clubs across steps five to seven of the English football pyramid — covering non-League sides below Ryman Division One North and South through to competitions such as the Middlesex County League Premier Division.
Under the ‘Budweiser Club Futures’ scheme, teams will be apply to apply for money which will improve their facilities.
Eight grants of £50,000 will be given this season with a further eight of a similar size available for the 2013-14 campaign.
Each season, one of the chosen eight clubs will win an additional £100,000 super grant — as voted by football fans from early next year through the official FA Cup and Budweiser UK Facebook pages.
The Football Association’s director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking, said: “This level of football traditionally survives on the generosity of volunteers and a real sense of community spirit. So it goes without saying that this £1m investment is a fantastic gesture, with the £100,000 super grant being a real pot of gold for the clubs involved.”
Clubs wishing to apply should visit TheFA.com/BudweiserClubFutures. The closing date is October 31.
