Forget United or City – the only shirt these South African football fans want to wear is Benchill Celtic.

The children from one of the country’s poorest black townships are sporting the distinctive blue and green strips of the Wythenshawe club’s under 12s side after they donated their unused kit.

Bob Davies, whose 11-year-old grandson Joe Shennan plays for Benchill Celtic, came up with the idea after visiting his family near the capital city Cape Town and hearing about the plight of fellow football players.

"My brother-in-law is involved with a team out there called Table View FC so I went along to watch them," he said.

"They told me about these kids playing football in a township nearby called Khayelitsha who have nothing.

"They were playing in really hit and miss stuff which was falling apart. We had some kit left over so I thought we could send it out.

"It’s great that they are wearing our team colours. A lot of people wanted to help so we also bought new socks, boots and shinpads."

Local priest Reverend Kizito Gugah from the township was so overwhelmed by the donation he sent back a letter and picture to say thank you.

Writing to Bob he said: "Please extend our gratitude to the children and entire Benchill Celtic Junior Football Club.

"Sport is one of those things that keeps most of the poor children of this place occupied – so gifts like the soccer kit will make a big difference to the soccer team that we have in the community."

Bob, 68, said he was just happy to show that young people in Benchill are doing something positive. "Benchill has a bad name," he said. "Sometimes when teams come to play us they are a bit off and we get the odd comment. We just wanted to show that we do care.

"There’s a lot of good people here and now all these kids over there know about Benchill."

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