A football ‘Tsar’ is set to be taken on by Oxford City Council as part of a £175,000 bid to boost interest in the game.

The city council says it is determined to press ahead with proposals to get more people playing football across the city.

The Town Hall is planning to fund a new sports development officer post over three years, with a salary of up to £26,000.

The city council is hoping to tap into funding from the Football Foundation, the UK’s largest sports charity, which directs £40m a year into grass roots sport.

Bob Timbs, executive member for leisure and sport, said the council wanted to push ahead with several football development schemes – including all-weather pitches in Blackbird Leys and the redevelopment of the Barton Pavilion playing area.

He said: “We need a designated officer to drive projects forward. Other officers simply have not got the time to do it.”

Mr Timbs said football was seen by the ruling Labour group as a crucial means of reducing health inequalities.

He said: “Football is the biggest sport in Oxford, with hundreds of boys and girls playing every weekend. But we need to get better facilities.”