§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many football clubs with grounds in inner urban areas(a) have relocated since 1997 and (b) intend to relocate to new sites on the urban periphery or beyond; and if she will make a statement. [134608]
§ Mr. CabornThis is not a matter for the Government, and this information is not held by my Department. According to Football Association figures, there are approximately 40,000 amateur, semi-professional and professional football clubs in England. A high proportion of these are located in urban areas. The re-location of amateur clubs is a matter for County Football Associations; re-locations of professional clubs are matters for the Premier and Football Leagues.
§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding she gives to support the maintenance of football pitches in public ownership in(a) England and (b) Kent. [134768]
§ Mr. CabornAll public funding for football in England is channelled through the Football Foundation. The Foundation will receive approximately £60 million from each of the Government, the Football Association and the FA Premier League over the period 2000–04.
Funding from the three partners is not hypothecated. However, since 2000 the Foundation has made 154 grants totalling £10.94 million in respect of projects involving football pitches in public ownership. Three of these grants, totalling £790,353, involved pitches in Kent.