Grassroots football will be boosted by a £30m windfall from Sport England.

The funding is to be filtered into the game over the next four years and the focus of the money will be to increase and retain the number of 14-19-year-olds playing football as well developing the next generation of talented disabled and female players through a greater emphasis on coach development and competition.

FA General Secretary Alex Horne said: “We are delighted that Sport England has shown such strong support for our partnership and our joint work to deliver growth in grassroots football participation.

“Our National Game Strategy provides a clear plan for the improvement and growth of the grassroots game and this award will go a long way in complementing our own funding and that of our commercial partners in ensuring its delivery.

“Today’s announcement is great news in particular for our work in encouraging participation amongst 14-19 year olds and will be a real boost to our existing interventions and investment across boys, girls and disability football.”

Sport England’s investment will help to upgrade sand-based artificial pitches to 3G surfaces that can be used for training, coach education and matches.

Small-sided football, recreational leagues and social based competitions will also be developed to provide more flexible ways for players over the age of 26 to get involved and stay playing the game.

Sport England’s Director of Sport Phil Smith said: “Our £30m investment into football reflects our ambition to get even more people enjoying the game.

“The targeted approach to get more young people playing will ensure that football remains a lifelong sport of choice for many, while high-quality facilities and improved coaching will help get more disabled people and women enjoying the sport.”