The development will ensure a new, purpose-built headquarters for Manchester FA, as well as a wealth of new facilities for local people. The ambitious football development plan includes bringing back into use existing football pitches.

The vision for the project is to provide 'a sporting opportunity for all', and to use sport to deliver wider social objectives of inclusion, crime reduction, health improvements and civic pride for the residents of Salford.

To project is underpinned by an ambitious football development plan. It will see new changing rooms built, artificial turf pitches, children's play area, and a building for social events, ICT centre, education suite and will link up with other new facilities schemes at such Albion High School and the LIFT centre. It will also link to a new bowling facility at the Lower Kersal Social Club, which is about to be constructed.

The money for the project has been raised from a variety of sources. The main funding of £1.5m has come from the New Deal for Communities project. Other funders include Salford City Council, FIFA, The Football Association, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, European Regional Development Fund, 'Active England' funding from Sport England and the Big Lottery Fund and a grant of over £850,000 from the Football Foundation.

The Football Foundation grant is funded by the FA Premier League, the Football Association, Sport England and the Government, with the Football Foundation dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities.

Welcoming the project, Councillor John Merry, leader of Salford City Council, said: "Here's further evidence that Salford the city is changing, with new facilities being created which will benefit all our residents.

"The New Deal project has already done a great deal in the Kersal and Charlestown area to lift people's aspirations and create new life in that community. I am delighted that the Manchester FA have helped make this possible, and that Sir Alex has found the time in his busy schedule to support the area by coming to the launch. This is a project that creates new opportunities connected with grass roots football. But it is about so much more than sport. The benefits will spread throughout this community and beyond."

Jon Dutton, Project Manager and Chief Executive of Manchester FA, said: "After two years of very hard by all of the partners I am absolutely delighted that the vision and dream that we all share is to become a reality. It is a testament to the strength of the scheme that we have received such significant investment from so many partners which will see the development of some of the best sports and community based education facilities in the country. This is a real boost for Salford and is a flagship community sporting hub project".

Ann-Marie Pickup, a local resident and chair of the Kersal and Charlestown New Deal for Communities Partnership, said: "This is a flagship project for NDC and it's going to be fantastic having this new facility on the doorstep for everyone in Charlestown & Lower Kersal to use.

"It's also great that Manchester FA is showing its confidence in the New Deal for Communities area, and is relocating here. They obviously recognise the strong community spirit of the area, and how this can contribute to their work."

Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Manchester United is happy to be supporting this project. Anything which provides better sports facilities for local people in Salford is particularly welcome, and we look forward to working with the Sport Village partners when the complex is up and running."

Salford Sports Village will be managed and run by Salford Community Leisure Trust. A key part of the agreement will be that local people can use the facilities at affordable prices.

Work will begin on the site in January 2005 with the complex being opened in January 2006.