Stanley Matthews Foundation outlines big plans for two new football centres - based on the Johan Cruyff model - to boost grassroots sport in the Midlands and Northern Ireland

• The Stanley Matthews foundation is pushing for further grassroots improvement
• Plans are in place for two new football centres to benefit deprived areas 
• The North Belfast project, called Twilight Football, is 'ready to go this spring' 

The Stanley Matthews Foundation has revealed a number of initiatives aimed at transforming grassroots sport in the Midlands and Northern Ireland.

The family of Sir Stanley Matthews, arguably Britain's greatest ever footballer, are hands-on at the charity as it aims to build two community football centres - as well as start a football project in a deprived part of Belfast.

Sir Stanley's son, also called Stanley, and daughter Jean Gough are anxious to perpetuate his legacy, with the foundation already working with Yorkshire Cricket and Tottenham Hotspur in organising coaching and sport for youngsters. 

Now Jean plans to expand the foundation, saying: 'We would like to build one, but ideally two, football centres to serve local communities, providing a space to play football but which will also serve as a hub for coaches engaging children and young people. 

'The cages would be based around the Johan Cruyff model, with trained coaches setting up sessions, running tournaments and holding education programmes. 

'We have been quoted approximately £135,000-£150,000 for one football cage with floodlights.'

One centre would be based at Newcastle Town FC in Newcastle-under-Lyme and a second at a professional club in Staffordshire. 

The North Belfast project, called Twilight Football, is 'ready to go this spring' in a deprived area with huge social problems. 

Jean added: 'It is our vision to have community coaches of a high calibre working with clubs, schools and youth organisations to engage the community and ensure the hub is permanently busy and used constructively. 

'We are about teaching kids life skills and values.'