WHEN African schoolchildren asked for new football kits Chris Wright knew just the man to approach, his next-door neighbour Gordon Banks.

The goalkeeping great was keen to help and when Chris travelled to Uganda in November he took with him 18 footballs and 22 Stoke City kits provided by the club.

Chris, a trustee of the Uganda Humanists School Trust, received letters from pupils at schools founded by the charity who were crying out for sports equipment.

The 62-year-old retired law lecturer, of Madeley, said: "My colleague Steve Hurd went out to Uganda in July and got them to write letters about what they did and didn't like about their school.

"The pupils didn't like the lack of fresh water and that there were not enough toilets, but they enjoyed the computers we provided and their lessons.

"One common comment was that they were short on footballs and netballs and asked if we could get some balls, so I asked my neighbour Gordon Banks the question 'What do clubs like Stoke City do with old balls and training balls?'

"He said he didn't know, but he gave me a name at the club and told me to tell them that he was behind it.

"When I got in touch with Stoke City they were very generous and gave me as much kit as I could carry."

For the next three weeks Chris, Steve and Chris Smith, a humanist from Shropshire, visited two of the charity's Ugandan schools, the Humanist Academy in Mpigi and Isaac Newton High School in Masaka.

At both schools pupils were excited by the arrival of the Stoke City strip.

Chris said: "They were absolutely delighted with their shirts. They know Stoke City and most of the teams in the Premier League, but the only shirts they've got out there are Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool. My mission was to convert them into Stoke supporters.

"At Isaac Newton High School we arranged a game with one team as Stoke and the other as Chelsea, as that's the shirt most of them were wearing.

"Of course Stoke won 3-2, but it was quite tense when we reached two all and the light was fading.

"They're very skilful players. The pitch is fantastic as it's grazed by cattle so the grass is short and flat, they just have trouble navigating the cowpats."

Along with the Stoke kits the travellers also took out calculators, science equipment and badminton sets.

Steve Hurd, aged 62, from Madeley, said: "The schools are desperately under-resourced, but the teachers are so enthusiastic and the children are desperate to learn.

"They need stuff like this to boost their confidence and the Stoke City kits have raised the status of the school because other teams see them wearing Premier League strips."

Headteacher Peter Kisirinya said: "We appreciate Stoke City Football Club's donation of sports equipment. Stoke City has gained fame among the students and even the local community. "

Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes said: "We are delighted to hear that we now have some more supporters in Uganda.

"The pictures show how much enjoyment the children got out of receiving the kit and the balls, and how proud they were to wear Stoke colours."

Gordon Banks said: "I think it's an excellent job that Chris did. Taking out balls and kit and passing the word around about Stoke City was brilliant."

Chris now hopes to return to Uganda in June. To get involved with the trip or to find out more about the Uganda Humanists School Trust contact Chris on 01782 750870.