FA and McDonald's agree new £10 million deal

LONDON (Reuters) - The English FA and McDonald's announced a new 10 million pounds four-year sponsorship agreement on Monday aimed at grassroots level football in England.

Over the next four years, the new partnership will see the FA and the fast-food chain supporting more than 200,000 coaches and 400,000 volunteers through local FA networks as well as many other local initiatives.

FA chief executive Ian Watmore said in a statement on the FA's website (www.thefa.com) that he was delighted McDonald's were continuing to support football at the grassroots level after already being involved for the last eight years.

"Our joint achievement in recruiting and training over 10,000 coaches is tribute to the potent power of the partnership.

"I am delighted we have secured McDonald's support for another four years and am confident that the investment and focus on driving up standards in English grassroots football will have a positive impact on young players, the coaches, the parents and ultimately the national game as a whole."

(Editing by Justin Palmer)