The Football Association general secretary Alex Horne has confessed that it is "naturally disappointing" to hear that £1.6m of funding will be cut in the next three years.

Sport England made the decision to make the cut from the FA's £30m grassroots project with a number of external factors in mind, including the sport's ability to grow participation in the 16-25 and over-25 age groups.

"It's naturally disappointing to learn that Sport England is cutting its funding to football, especially at a time when the challenges faced by the grassroots of our game are so acute," Horne is quoted as saying on the FA's official website.

"It is especially disappointing as Sport England agreed and began funding our joint plan only in August last year, and today's decision is based on measurement undertaken just two months later in October. It will not however deter The FA's continued extensive financial commitment to the grassroots of the game of which this is only one element.

"This challenge – to ensure a much better provision of quality affordable grassroots facilities – is one we are determined to address. Grassroots football is played on facilities almost exclusively owned and maintained by local authorities. A combination of severe weather, increased pitch hire costs and reduced maintenance spend has made this a very difficult time for clubs seeking to complete their fixtures and for individual players to value and enjoy regular football."

The FA runs a number of initiatives across the game to help encourage participation in football at all levels.