DUDLEY Town will create a new under 15s side after receiving funding support.

The club will introduce the new youth team in the Midland Junior Premier thanks to a grant of £1,500 from the Football Foundation's Grow the Game fund.

The Premier League and The FA support the scheme by donating £1.5 million. This is then delivered by the Football Foundation, the nation’s largest sports charity.

The scheme is designed to increase participation in the game by helping clubs to meet the essential costs of starting new teams.

This year sees a particular emphasis placed on increasing the number of teams and players from the under 15 age bracket and above, to address the decline in participation that has traditionally occurred as young people leave school and college. The other key focus is on growing the numbers of girls’, women’s and disability teams.

Dave Ferrier, club secretary at Dudley Town, said: "This grant is a great opportunity for a local club like ours to establish new teams, many thanks to the Football Foundation for their continued support."

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, added: ““Congratulations to Dudley Town for working with the Birmingham County FA to secure their £1,500 Grow the Game grant which will increase participation in the region as well as support football development in the area.”