A partnership between Cash4Clubs and Made by Sport started the initiative, which aims to support community sports clubs struggling during the pandemic.

Flutter Entertainment has made a £4.8m ($6.6m) donation to the fund and this will be managed by Made by Sport, to ensure grassroots clubs receive all the help they can get during a critical time.

The donation is the amount Flutter benefited from as a result of business rates relief, which was placed for its shops between March 2020 and March 2021.

Over the next nine months, thousands of community clubs may receive an unrestricted grant of £2,021; anyone interested can apply through Made by Sports site.

With grassroots sports set to return in the UK, the fund will aim to support those who are providing sports activities to young people and others affected mentally by the pandemic.

Research conducted by Newton for Made by Sport found that the pandemic has left over a quarter of community clubs at risk of permanent closure.

Peter Jackson, Flutter CEO, said: “I’m delighted the Clubs in Crisis fund is now officially open to applications.

“Through Cash4Clubs we have a long history of supporting grassroots community sport, and I’m pleased we have been able to partner with Made by Sport to pass the benefit of business rates relief straight into the communities that need it most.

“We look forward to seeing the positive impact this funding will have for thousands of communities up and down the UK.”