Sport England is set to select a City of Football and invest £1.6m in a pilot programme to get more young people playing the sport.

The initiative is looking to unite public, private and voluntary organisations and create a city-wide programme that will do "whatever it takes" to attract those aged 14-25-years-old to take part in the sport.

Phil Smith, Sport England's director of sport, said: "While the number of people playing football regularly has declined, it is still one of England's most popular sports and the unmet demand to play is high if the offer is right.

"From kick-abouts in the park to 5-a-side friendlies to 11-a-side leagues, we want to find the city that wants this title more than any other, that will do whatever it takes to get more people playing the game regularly."

Expressions of interest are invited from consortiums of local partners that are committed to working together to deliver a City of Football.

• According to Sport England, applications should demonstrate commitment at the highest level and explain why this mix of local partners can together increase the number of people playing football in their city. The closing date for applications is 23 May. For more information and to download an expression of interest sheet, visit the www.sportengland.org website by clicking here.