COUNTY football clubs are hoping England's success in Russia will inspire a new generation with more girls in particular taking up the beautiful game.

Danielle Carter, a striker for England and Arsenal has praised the Didcot Casuals Football Club for their efforts to expand the opportunities available for women to start playing from an early age.

The club has recently received a £3,000 grant from the Football Association to boost grassroots female football in south Oxfordshire.

Helping the club to set up two brand new girls football teams at the under eights and under 10s levels, the money will also pay for new equipment.

Three of the club's coaches will be trained up so they are able to gain their FA level one coaching qualifications, thanks to the funding which comes from the Grow the Game scheme.

Carter, 25, has scored six goals for England in four appearances and said she owes her success to playing from a young age.

She said: “I would like to congratulate Didcot Casuals on working with the Football Foundation and Berks and Bucks FA to secure a Grow the Game grant.

"Playing in an all-female team from a young age was key to my development, so I am delighted that there will be more opportunities for women and girls in the local area and wish Didcot Casuals U8 and U10 girls good luck during their debut season.”

Grow the Game, funded by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation, awards grants to grassroots football clubs wishing to create new teams, especially amongst under-represented groups.

This year, £1,500 was made available for clubs looking to create new female and disability football teams.

A successful 'wildcats' programme has been running in Oxfordshire since last year, providing a chance for girls to play in a fun environment.

Jeff Lynn, chairman of Didcot Casuals, said the support is 'essential to secure a robust future for the girls in the game in the long term.'

Michael Williams, the coach of the girls teams at Oxford Blackbirds Football Club, said a 'mushrooming' effect in recent years has seen more and more girls wanting to get involved.

He added: "People are seeing us in the park and thinking 'I could do that' and we do a lot of work in schools so that girls think its a sport for them."

The club, which now has more than 40 female players on its books, is hoping to capitalise on the World Cup to keep increasing its numbers and is planning to hold a festival after the end of the tournament to further increase interest.