FOOTBALL clubs throughout Worcestershire are being urged to apply for grants to help improve facilities or boost club membership.

The appeal comes from the Worcestershire FA as part of its drive to give everyone the chance to enjoy the game at local level.

Funding is available from the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity.

"Many football clubs and organisations are unaware of the Football Foundation grants which can transform a club.

"The grants are here to help create a new generation of facilities and to strengthen the links between football and the community," says Worcest-ershire FA development officer Andy Norman.

He is encouraging clubs, schools and organisations to apply for revenue or capital grants or projects costing up to £1m. The average Football Foundation grant is around two thirds of the project cost.

Projects eligible for support include changing room impro-vements, pitch drainage, clubhouse developments, flood- lighting and artificial pitch installation.

Support is also available for community projects such as coaching schemes, volunteer training programmes, employing development officers and other schemes that involve the local community.

More information on the grants are available at http://www.footballfoundtion.org.uk or by ringing 0800 0277766.