PREMIER League and The FA chiefs have agreed a deal to "strengthen" both grassroots football and the FA Cup from next season.

Funding from the Premier League to grassroots will increase from £100 million to £133 million, beginning at the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

Non-League clubs in Dorset and across the country will be able to tap into the extra resources by applying for grants from the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund.

Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, said: "The Premier League is proud of the investment it provides to all levels of the game and this new agreement with the FA will see us enhance our support into grassroots football.

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“This will improve facilities for communities and lower league clubs across the country.”

The FA said: “This commitment will see increased investment to both the Football Foundation and Premier League Stadium Fund to develop facilities at lower league clubs, improving the playing and spectator experience, as well as clubs’ financial sustainability.

“The funding will also create more opportunities for people with a disability to play football, and support the ongoing development of the girls' game.

“It will also enable the leagues in the men’s and women’s football pyramid to continue to develop, in line with the FA’s new National League System Strategy. The Premier League currently provides similar support within the women’s game through an existing £21 million investment.”

Changes to the FA Cup have been announced for six years from the 2024/25 season onwards, including no replays from the first round proper to accommodate increased UEFA competition.

The decision to bin replays will likely anger non-League clubs who may miss out on an extra pay day in the competition.

All rounds will be played on weekends and no Premier League fixtures shall coincide with the fourth, fifth and sixth round dates.

The FA will also string out the fourth round window from Friday to Wednesday, allowing for consecutive days of cup matches.

Meanwhile, the three-week summer break for Premier League players returns, with the mid-season interval scrapped, and this summer’s Community Shield will take place on Saturday, August 10, one week before the new Premier League season.