Speaking at the launch of this season's non-League cup competitions in association with sponsors Carlsberg, The FA's Director of Football Development said that he was pleased with the growing standards in non-League football but added there is still room for improvement.

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawerson, Tony Gale and ex-Wales goalkeeper Neville Southall were also present at the launch and also backed The FA and Carlsberg's involvement at grassroots level.

Brooking said: "Grassroots is a key area because that's where all the footballers end up. We also came into the game via grassroots football.

"When you look at the figures you see that 90 per cent of players who fail to make the grade end up playing at that level and that is not as good as it can be.

"I think we have ignored grassroots football in the past and when I arrived at The FA I got nine coaches together and we now come to clubs and work with them to prop up the game.

"We try to reflect all the communities as well so that wherever you look across the country football is on the up.

"The idea is that if you get someone who is bad at football and make them better, then we will help them in the game because they feel they belong to it and they have a sense of achievement."

Grays Athletic won The FA Trophy and manager Mark Stimson said it was the highlight of the club's season.

"Realistically as a non-League club we will never win The FA Cup. This is as good as it gets for us. If it was not for the backing of The FA and Carlsberg then we would not have got there."

Didcot Town picked up The FA Vase after beating AFC Sudbury in The Final at White Hart Lane and Gossoms End won The Sunday Cup, leaving boss Phil Casserley hailing the competition as "amazing".

He added: "It is the ultimate and amazing to win it."