The Charity Shield is to be renamed the Community Shield next season by the Football Association amid a plan to reward the work of the unsung volunteer 'heroes' in the game.
The change will effectively prevent any interference by the Charity Commission into where money raised by the showpiece curtain-raiser has gone once costs and overheads have been met.
They intend to rebrand the Community Shield as the annual highlight of an ongoing programme of support, rather than a one-off fixture which sends its profits to charity.
FA spokesman Adrian Bevington revealed: 'We want to ensure that good causes continue to receive financial support from football through the FA Community Shield.
'Additionally, we want to see individuals who are some of the game's real heroes receive recognition for their great work.'
- NEWS