The £2.8 million football and rugby facility will have a floodlit third generation synthetic turf pitch, new changing pavilions and will also include improvements to the existing grass pitches.

Due to open in Spring 2009, the new centre will play a crucial role in the development of both sports across the borough. It will be available to local clubs, schools and colleges, and casual use sessions will help to ensure that all sections of the community benefit from what will be a showcase sports venue for Newham.

On receiving the cheque Sir Robin Wales said: "This is going to be a fantastic grassroots facility that gives everyone a real chance to get involved in sport. We want young people in the borough to be inspired to be a part of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and a new facility like this will make sports and fitness activities even more accessible.

The Memorial Park sports facility is part of a borough-wide programme of cultural and leisure investment, which will enable residents to benefit from improvements to sports and recreational facilities in their local parks and open spaces.."

Lord Pendry said: "We warmly congratulate Newham Council, the London FA and local partners for their hard work in securing this award. Since its launch in July 2000, the Football Foundation has funded 520 projects across London worth £85 million.

I encourage more organisations in the capital to take advantage of this money that is provided by our funding partners - the Premier League, The FA and Government."

The new facility is the latest in a package of improvements to Memorial Park which has a rich sporting history. It was the original home to West Ham United before they moved to their current home in Upton Park in 1904 and is also home to the East London Rugby Club who will be involved in the new scheme to get more people playing rugby in the park.

The scheme has been funded by London Borough of Newham, West Ham and Plaistow New Deal for Communities, Football Foundation, Rugby Football Union, Sport England and University of East London.