In addition to the many new football teams that will be created, the Grow the Game grants will also allow for 114 volunteer coaches to become trained up in the relevant qualifications, in order to deliver age and ability appropriate coaching at the new teams.

Congratulations to:

The Grow the Game scheme is funded by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation. The programme is designed to increase participation at the lowest levels of the game with grants of £1,500 available for each new team that a club creates.

Applications from demographics identified as having been traditionally underrepresented in the sport – namely, women and girls; male teams of Under-14s-and-upwards and disability teams – were prioritised.

The funding can help a burgeoning club pay for the fundamentals, including: FA coaching courses; FA league affiliation costs; referees’ fees; first aid kits; and even football kit and equipment.

Lee Folkard, Manchester FA's Football Participation Manager, said: "We have worked really closely with our clubs this year to make sure that they gain the maximum investment needed to grow their clubs internally. This year we organised four support evenings in various venues across our County so that clubs could drop in and complete the application process.

"We have been really successful over the last three or four years with the bids that have been put to the Football Foundation and this has not only had a positive outcome for the clubs, but also for us here at Manchester FA."

Kelly Simmons MBE, The FA’s Director of Participation and Development, said: "Grow the Game not only allows us to focus on helping groups within the grassroots game, but also unearth brand new teams who want to kick a ball and increase participation levels as a result.

"The proposition of 56 new teams and 114 new coaches across the Manchester area is extremely encouraging and this investment – which is provided by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation – means that participation in our national game will increase, especially amongst underrepresented groups."

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: "This is excellent news for grassroots football in Manchester. Grow the Game, which is delivered by the Football Foundation, is about creating long-term participation increases and getting people playing who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to do so. The FA deserves credit for directing investment to help train new coaches and get teams playing in affiliated leagues."