Tony Banks bringing lottery funds home

Peter Faulkner of the Football Trust

Banks Gives Football a Boost

Tony Banks, the Minister for Sport, announced the injection of funds at a press conference held at Brentford Football Club.

The funds will be distributed by the Football Trust and will enable clubs to continue to follow the recommendations of the Taylor Report, published following the Hillsborough disaster.

The funds will be provided over the next four years jointly by the English Sports Council Lottery fund, the FA Premier League and the Football Association.

"Supporters of clubs at all levels will welcome this news. These funds are vital for the improvement of football's infrastructure and vital for the safety of the hundreds of thousands of supporters who attend matches throughout the season," said Mr Banks.

"This announcement implements the Government's commitment to make the Football Trust a beneficiary of Lottery money so that it may continue its essential work for football," he continued.

"I am delighted that the FA Premier League and the Football Association have agreed to match lottery funds pound for pound. This will make £55 million available for essential work at football grounds at all levels throughout England," said the minister.

The news has been widely welcomed by in the world of football. Lord Aberdare, chairman of the Football Trust said, "This new source of funding will enable the Trust to complete its Taylor work and continue to offer much needed help outside the professional game. It means that the moratorium on grants offers, which we were forced to impose last December, will be lifted before the end of this month.

"We now look forward to discussions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with a view to reaching similar agreements."

Sports Council chairman Sir Rodney Walker said, "This funding will continue the progress in making our football grounds not only the safest, but also the best facilities in Europe."