FA chief executive Martin Glenn has “commended the commitment” by London mayor, Boris Johnson to get the capital behind The FA’s nationwide plan to create a network of grassroots football hubs across major cities.

The hub programme was born from the findings of the FA Chairman Greg Dyke’s Independent Commission which revealed there was a dearth of artificial pitches - particularly in London - and there is a desperate need to reduce the reliance on local authority subsidies.

The mayor announced that the Greater London Authority will contribute £1.5 million to kickstart planning for London boroughs to contribute to the programme.

Glenn said: “Over the next four years, we have laid out the ambitious target of creating multiple football hubs across up to 25 cities.

"I am delighted that mayor Johnson is supporting the programme in London. The project will lead to a step-change in the provision of grassroots football in England and support the delivery of FA and County FA youth development and coach education programmes and to improve the quality of provision for clubs and teams.”

The mayor of London, Boris Johnson MP, said: “There is no doubt we need more good quality football pitches in London that can be used all year round and that is why I am investing to ensure the capital is at the front of the queue and reaps maximum benefit from the FA’s programme.

“It makes absolute sense that the good folk who run local clubs and groups across the capital have the opportunity to be key partners in high quality sustainable sports facilities and take the pressure off council budgets.”