Nearly �60m a year is promised for improvements in community facilities and education programmes.

It should also provide a boost for schools in deprived areas, such as Cann Hall Primary, Leytonstone, east London.

Pupils from the school were invited to the launch in the garden of No 10 Downing Street on Tuesday.

They had a kick-around with England manager Kevin Keegan as Prime Minister Tony Blair looked on.

The catchment area around Leystonstone has produced England stars David Beckham and Teddy Sheringham.

And Cann Hall year four teacher Michael Thomas, who was at the launch, welcomed the joint venture between the Premier League, the Football Association, Sport England and the government.

Mr Thomas said: "We live in the 13th poorest ward in the country, so if they are going to put the money in, it should enhance the possibilities for our youngsters.

"We also need to increase the level of technique and the amount of competition.

Excellence

"Teachers at other schools haven't got the time to create teams, and we often find ourselves going out of the borough to get the competition.

"Hopefully, the foundation will mean the children can have access to qualified coaches.

"We could also do with artificial floodlit pitches, which we can use throughout the winter.

"At the moment, we have to stop around November because it's too dark and too wet to play football."

The school, which has a large ethnic minority population with 56 per cent of children having English as a second language, encourages girls and boys to play football.

It has two girls' teams and 11-year-old pupil Shereece Henry has already been signed up by the Fulham Ladies team for its youth academy.

"We are trying to create a centre of excellence for girls' football in Leytonstone," said Mr Thomas.