The Scottish Government has brokered agreement with the Scottish Football Association to build on the existing Bank of Scotland 'Midnight leagues' and Bank of Scotland 'Soccer One' initiatives. This aims to deliver over the next three years a national network of 5-a-side football activity running from January to June, targeting youths, and a further national network of 3 and 4-a-side football activity targeting youths, based in 32 venues throughout Scotland and aiming to involve up to 9,600 young people per year.

Building on the current Soccer One programme for S1 pupils, funding will also be used to develop this into S2 and S3 by the third year of funding.

There will also be the creation of six schools-based football academies for 120 P7 pupils who haven't responded to traditional teaching, and there will be a programme to bring 1,700 new volunteer coaches into the youth game.

The initiative will be funded by more than £2.2m from proceeds of crime funds and almost £2m from the SFA, HBoS and the Coalfield Regeneration Trust. This is the first of a range of activities for young people under the Government's "Cashback for Communities", a scheme which will see the money and goods seized from serious organised criminals being used in community schemes for young people across Scotland.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “Criminals don't contribute to our communities - they live off them. That harms our economy but it also saps self-confidence and ambition - especially among young people. That's why its time for crime to pay and for the cash they make off the backs of law abiding folk to flow back into our communities.

“With our Cashback for Communities programme we are taking their ill gotten gains off them and giving them back to communities to make a real difference to the lives of young people throughout Scotland - providing both opportunities on the ground and a truly symbolic message.

“Football, as our national game, can play a big part in diverting young people from getting involved in crime and antisocial behaviour. Last year our national team put a spring back in our collective steps with their performances. In 2008 I believe our national game can help more young people take their own steps towards a brighter future.

“This exciting new package of football-related youth activities will see this Government working in partnership with the SFA to give young people the length and breadth of the country the opportunity to participate in football at all levels.

“This is just the start. We are looking at a range of further initiatives - in sport, in the arts, in youth work, locally and nationally. Further announcements will be coming within the next few months.”

Gordon Smith, the chief executive of the Scottish Football Association added: “This is a fantastic scheme that shows what can be achieved when everyone in Scotland pulls together. We all want our young people to be healthier, more confident and full of ambition and aspirations. Getting them to play football does just that.”