The FA and Budweiser are investing £1m directly into grassroots football and are touring the country to announce the eight regional winners from season one, with the second stop being AFC Blackpool.
 
The ‘Budweiser Club Futures’ programme will give 16 grants of £50,000 to non-League clubs across Steps 5-7 of the English football pyramid over the next two years.

Eight grants will be available this season, with a further eight grants available during the 2013-14 campaign.

Within each season, through The FA Cup and Budweiser UK Facebook pages, fans will get to vote for the one club that they would like to see win an additional £100,000 Club Futures Super Grant.
 
Owen Coyle is the regional Club Futures ambassador for the North West and was at the Mechanics Ground to present AFC Blackpool with their winning cheque and plaque.

And the former Burnley and Bolton Wanderers boss was delighted to see local youngsters at the club, who will ultimately benefit from the grant.

He said: "It's a fantastic programme that supports grassroots football across the country and I'm delighted and honoured to come along and play a small part.

"It can really elevate a club, because these clubs work so hard in grassroots at what they do and people come in and work tirelessly for the club and the local community.

"These grants can go a long way towards whatever it may be, whether that's upgrading facilities within the club, helping with the pitches or helping with the young kids, which is what we had today with kids as young as four here.

"That's so important and like anything, the more you practise, the better you get."

"This money will go a long way to helping them to progress and become a better club."

Vote now for one club you would like to see win,  via The FA Cup and Budweiser UK Facebook page by clicking here.