The intention is to deliver increased participation in sport, inspire the dream to compete at the Olympics, look after the well being of children via a ground breaking programme, increase investment and tourism in Burnley and help reinvigorate the area’s economy through new jobs and opportunities.

Partnerships and links will be established with schools, specialist sports colleges, local authorities, sports clubs and businesses.

Speaking about the project, Burnley FC’s Chief Executive Dave Edmundson said: “The intention is to use the football club and football to drive a seven year co-ordinated programme that will create pathways to excellence and talent identification, widen the opportunities for all to take part in sport, to experience new challenges and have a common focus.

“We feel that this could be rolled out on a national scale with football as the hub.

“The aims are twofold; to bring a community together via sport and to promote East Lancashire as the home of football, to the millions who will visit the UK both before and after the games in 2012.”

Kitty Ussher, MP for Burnley, commented: “I fully support this initiative by the football club. Burnley FC is showing an awareness that the Olympics will benefit the whole country and not just the South East.

“The Olympics will deliver massive inward investment to the UK through leisure and tourism and I am delighted that Burnley FC is demonstrating the vision and drive to fight for East Lancashire’s share of the potential financial rewards.”

Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, added: “We are pleased that Burnley FC are attempting to increase involvement in sport and as well as potential new talent being discovered, their partnership with local schools and clubs should help to create many more opportunities for many more young people.”

Burnley 2012 will commence with an athletic event at Turf Moor in the summer.