DOZENS of African children are now the proud owners of a colourful array of football shirts, thanks to players and parents at Bushey & Oxhey FC.

Under nine's coach Tommy Michalis, of Garston, and his family visited a village in The Gambia to hand over the shirts and experience daily life in the third world country.

The community they visited had very basic accomodation, grew their own fruit and vegetables and extracted their water from a well.

The family, including Tommy's son Andreas, striker for the under nine's team, were handing out shirts donated during a club charity campaign.

They also visited a local school where they handed out gifts, including sweets, chalk, crayons and toys.

Mr Michalis said: "It’s been a huge privilege for Bushey & Oxhey FC to be able to help those less fortunate, and we will be doing so again in the future. Huge thanks to everyone who donated football shirts."