The centre, which will be located in Park End, Middlesbrough, will benefit from a £100,000 grant from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund.
The funding will allow Middlesbrough Borough Council and Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation to proceed with plans for the new Southlands Centre, which will include 3G and grass football pitches.
The centre will be where former footballer and Sky Sports presenter Chris Kamara was raised and first learned to play football in the 1970s.
Mr Kamara said: “I spent my childhood kicking a football around the streets of Park End.
“Having access to this kind of facility will be transformational for aspiring footballers living in Middlesbrough.”
The project was one of nine successful applications for the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund, which provides £1 million in funding each season to support EFL clubs and their club charities in delivering community-focused initiatives.
The maximum grant available is £100,000.
The panel of judges for the fund included renowned Sky Sports host Jeff Stelling, who was unaware of the connection to his long-time friend Kamara.
Mr Stelling said: “Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation had such an impressive bid.
“This new centre with 3G and grass football pitches will go into the heart of one of the most deprived parts of England.
“The money from Sky Bet and the EFL means the council can go ahead with the investment and bring football back to the community.
“God help us, but maybe it will find another Kammy.”
The Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund was launched as part of the new title rights extension agreed between the EFL and Sky Bet in 2023.
Alongside Middlesbrough, eight other bids will share £420,000.
The Norwich City FC Community Foundation has won £90,000 towards a scheme that aims to reduce isolation and foster a greater sense of community, by training volunteers of all ages, including those from underrepresented groups, and offering support to the Foundation’s other initiatives.
The Wigan Athletic Community Trust will bag £30,000 towards its Adult Disability Football Programme, which offers weekly football sessions for adults with disabilities in an inclusive environment, enhancing physical health, mental well-being, and social connections while addressing the need for accessible physical activity opportunities in Wigan.
Last year, Accrington Stanley received the first £100,000 grant, using it to fund a new community 3G pitch at their Stanley Sports Hub development, benefiting local residents and enhancing sports provision in their area.
TalkSPORT presenter Jeff Stelling said: “It’s a real honour to be part of the panel that chooses which projects receive funding from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund.
“This year’s projects are a testament to the incredible work that EFL clubs and their community organisations are doing to make a difference in their local areas.
“The impact these initiatives will have is immeasurable and I’m proud to play a part in supporting them.”
As well as Jeff, the expert panel included Uma Cresswell, Senior Independent Director of EFL in the Community and Debbie Cook, the EFL’s Director of Community.
Kieran Forde, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at Sky Bet, said: “We’re thrilled to continue our support for these impactful projects through the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund.
“It’s been inspiring to see the wide range of initiatives that are transforming lives in communities across the country, whether through employability programmes, regenerating facilities or environmental sustainability efforts.
“We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes these projects will create in the coming months and years.”
