The Football League has announced the formation of a new body called 'The Football League Trust', to oversee Community and Youth Development activities at Football League clubs, arising from the Premier League's 'solidarity payments' to The League.

Former Burnley Football Club Chief Executive, Dave Edmundson, has been appointed General Manager of the new trust and he will take up his post on October 15.

The Football League Trust's primary function will be to manage funding arrangements in both areas, including the annual contributions of £5.4m and £4m from the Premier League towards clubs' Youth Development and Community programmes, respectively.

Also, for the first time ever, clubs will be able to apply to The Football League Trust for additional grant funding to initiate new community activities. Applications will be judged by the Trust in accordance with their merits.

In announcing the formation of the new trust and Dave Edmundson's appointment, Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney said:

"The formation of the new Football League Trust will help give greater clarity to arrangements between clubs, The League and our funding partners in the important areas of Community and Youth Development.

"Not only will this provide more funding than clubs have had in the past, it will also provide them with more support from the centre than they have experienced previously.

"This, in turn, will enable them to concentrate their efforts on the vital role they have in building strong and enduring links with the communities they serve. Additionally, clubs will be able to continue their work identifying, training and educating the young footballers of the future.

"I am also grateful to Mark Arthur, the Chief Executive of Nottingham Forest, for agreeing to Chair the new Trust."

The new General Manager of The Football League Trust Dave Edmundson said:

"To be given the opportunity of being the first person to head up The Football League Trust is both a great thrill and a great challenge.

"I look forward to working closely with Football League clubs to help them build on the already impressive contribution they make in these important areas."

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· Dave Edmundson joins The League from Burnley Football Club where he was Head of Strategic Development and Chairman of the club's Community Sports Trust. Previously he was the club's Chief Executive for nearly four years. Edmundson has also worked for Lancashire County Cricket Club as Secretary and as a freelance journalist and broadcaster for BBC Radio Lancashire, Granada and the Daily Telegraph.