Robbie Savage says he was honoured to be asked to help the FA sketch a £180million blueprint for grassroots football.
It coincides with millions being able to return to the game from Monday following the long-awaited relaxation of coronavirus restrictions.
The blueprint is designed to give girls and women the same level of opportunities, to improve pitches, and to strengthen community links.
Mirror columnist Savage, a vocal grass-roots campaigner and director of football at Macclesfield, was one of several big names to help with the research.
He said: “I’m delighted, and honoured, to say I’ve been invited to be part of an FA think-tank to discuss the future of the grassroots game.
“On Monday, the padlocks come off, the gates are opened, and grassroots football resumes.
“It’s been a long three months in lockdown, and all over the country there are thousands of kids who will finally be able to put down their games consoles and lace up their football boots.”
James Kendall, the FA’s director of football development, added: “We are delighted to see the safe return of the grassroots game and are excited to announce our new four-year strategy after what has been an extremely difficult year.
“The FA’s commitment to grassroots football has remained resolute and this strategy is a clear demonstration of our long-term ambitions, which will ultimately play a role in improving the health and well-being of millions of individuals across the nation.
“I’m confident that we’ll seize on the remarkable togetherness and resilience our national game has shown in the face of Covid-19 and use it as a force for good.”
And former Wales international Savage, who started his professional career at Manchester United, also had a suggestion which would involve changing the calendar for youth football.
He said: “Instead of having a season between September and May, with dark nights and unplayable pitches a blight on the long slog through winter, why don’t we switch the kids’ football season to a summer sport – from March to October?
“Yes, there would be some issues with council pitches which are currently used for dual purposes, namely football in winter and cricket in summer.
"But there would be far fewer games called off because of bad weather or waterlogged pitches, and fixture backlogs can be cleared by midweek evening games when it’s light until 9pm in high summer.
“Apart from anything else, it might help sustain high participation numbers.
“Kids will be more inclined to get out and play football in the fresh air on warm summer nights than in the cold, wet and muddy conditions of January and February.
“If the FA – who have been excellent at communicating pathways through all the lockdowns we’ve all suffered over the last 12 months – agree with my suggestion, so much the better.”
