Grassroots sports teams and charities can now apply for a slice of £500,000 as Cash4Clubs, led by Flutter UKI and backed by footballing legends Alan Shearer and Graeme Souness, is back for 2027.
The flagship funding programme will help 225 community sports organisations in the UK and Ireland with two months to apply for grants of £2,000, with £10,000 grants also available for a lucky five of them for the very first time.
Launched in 2008, Cash4Clubs has boosted the local sport ecosystem by helping teams develop their facilities, buy new equipment and drive participation.
Last year’s winners included Newcastle Panthers, an LGBTQIA+ football team, and Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare FC in Midlothian, with both being presented with their grants by Shearer and Souness, respectively.
‘Seeing what this grant meant to Newcastle Panthers puts it all into perspective,’ said Shearer.
‘It’s helped so many members of our local community, both directly through the club and indirectly in the wider area through the positive message they share. I would encourage any neighbourhood club to apply for this grant.’
Cash4Clubs is back with £500,000 of funding available for sports teams to apply for
Alan Shearer backs the programme and awarded Newcastle Panthers with funding last year
Liverpool and Scotland legend Graeme Souness also backs the grassroots clubs funding scheme
Souness added: ‘Never underestimate the difference a small grant can make to the survival of a grassroots club or local community group.
‘Earlier this year, I visited Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare FC to surprise them at training with the news that they’d received a Cash4Clubs grant. Since then, they’ve battled back from financial hardship and the threat of relegation.
‘The application window for Cash4Clubs grants, delivered by Sported UK, reopens on 1 October. If your club or organisation helps keep adults involved in sport, make sure you apply.’
During their nearly two decades of helping grassroots football, Cash4Clubs has directed over £7million into community athletics across the UK and Ireland. That includes £1.3million handed out to 640 clubs in just the last two years alone.
The allocation for this year once more focuses specifically on adult participation. They are targeting teams that tackle broader social issues, such as mental health challenges and economic deprivation, via the medium of sport.
Applications for the £500,000 funding allocation officially open on October 1, 2026.
For further information on Cash4Clubs please visit www.cash4clubs.org
