Jose Mourinho has hailed plans for improved facilities in the White City area saying that he hopes the new facilities could be the source of new talent for his team

The Linford Christie Stadium in White City, is to receive a £600,000 cash injection from Barclays and the Football Foundation. With the backing of Hammersmith and Fulham Council and newly crowned Barclays Premiership champions Chelsea Football Club, Barclays Spaces for Sports the facility based in White City will be improved and extended thanks to the unique funding package.

Mourinho said, "It is important for local people, and especially children to have somewhere safe to play sport with excellent facilities. I am very pleased that Barclays Spaces for Sports is supporting this plan and maybe this place can become a breeding ground for the next generation of Chelsea players."

The scheme is part of a £30m investment from the Barclays Spaces for Sports initiative to create sustainable sports facilities in communities across the UK.

The funding will transform a disused area into a full size multi-sports pitch and warm-up area. In addition the Linford Christie Stadium will receive a further £45,000 from Barclays to ensure the sustainability of the site and kit and equipment worth £5,000.

With this funding in place, the Council has committed to the funding of four 5-a-side pitches adjoining the new full side pitch.

Barclays Group Sponsorship Director, Nic Gault, said, “Barclays believe that sport has a key role to play in revitalising our communities, and sites like the Linford Christie Stadium are central to this. We hope that the site will make sport more accessible and encourage a new wave of participants to enjoy the facilities on offer.”

With a lack of open space due to 165,000 people living in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, local sports facilities are essential for the area. A range of activities such as football, rugby and hockey, will be offered to all members of the community.