Why Gosport Borough FC is asking people for their old football boots

That is the message from Gosport Borough Football Club, which is collecting old boots in support of an upcoming charity tournament in Uganda.

Supporters, club staff and players are all invited to bring along old boots to the team's match against Hendon this Saturday, with additional collections next week.

The club will be donating the boots to the charity Faith and Football, which is sending team of volunteers to Uganda for the Peace and Unity Cup next month '“ a tournament bringing together teams made up of Southern Sudanese refugees, who are fleeing civil war, to play their Ugandan host communities.

Former Pompey winger Mick Mellows is now the director of the charity.

He says that the five-day tournament has been set up to '˜bring harmony and hope to those living in turmoil.'

Mellows explained: '˜On our trip we will be working with local agencies to assist with education and health programmes.

'˜I'm passionate that by using football in this way we are able to bring peace and hope to the very poorest on the planet.

'˜We are grateful to Gosport Borough FC for supporting and publicising our work and offering us the opportunity to collect boots not only from the club's supporters but also from the wider Gosport public.'

Adult boots size seven and over will be collected at Privett Park on Saturday, November 24 before the 3pm kick-off.

Collections will also be held on Tuesday, November 27 from 9am-12pm, Wednesday, November 28 from 4pm-8pm and on Friday, November 30 from 9am-4pm.

Mick Mellows added: '˜We need boots but we are also seeking support for the costs enabling the refugees who are based in several camps across the North of Uganda and their hosts to participate.

'˜We need finance for shipping kit and equipment, participating teams' transportation, accommodation and food as well as pitch hire, referees, medals, trophies and prizes.'

To donate to the project, people can go to justgiving.com/fundraising/Micky-Mellows1.