FA and PayPal launch app to benefit grassroots football

Lee Dixon, who scored once in 22 appearances for England, said the partnership between the game’s governing body and PayPal helps solve a long-standing problem in grassroots football that has existed “for years”.

“Things haven’t really changed in decades. When I first started playing, my mum would give me a couple of pounds to pay my subs, which I’d tuck into my sock.

“Come full-time I’d have lost the coins and my manager would be out of pocket.”

Clubs in the Northern, Southern and Isthmian leagues, and those in the Premier Division and below qualify as ‘grassroots’.

Team managers, secretaries and coaches will be able to access the app to organise training, select team line-ups and share updates, scores and league standings.

Russell James, director of digital engagement at The FA, said:

“This signals our intent to further bring grassroots football into the digital age, making the game more accessible for all. “