§ Mr. PondTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance the Football Foundation can provide to small local clubs. [153869]
§ Mr. Chris SmithFootball clubs may apply to the Football Foundation for funding for grass roots initiatives which promote social inclusion or benefit local communities, for education projects, or for stadium improvement work. The Foundation has some –24 million to invest in football in 2000–01 and it is likely that the moneys available will more than treble from 2001–02 onwards. Decisions on applications are for the Foundation's Board, but it is likely that a substantial proportion of total funding will go to smaller clubs.