To the people of Fakenham they are known as the Ghosts.

And now the town's football team is becoming a familiar name in Africa thanks to a charity link-up. 

African children are donning the colours of Fakenham Town FC due to the efforts of Julian Chenery.

Mr Chenery has been working over the last 10 years to travel the length of this country attending non-league football matches and asking clubs to donate old shirts to send across to Africa to support several charities and children.

The 62-year-old from Croydon has been to Fakenham three times since forming a relationship with the club back in 2018, and again in 2021 and a few weeks ago.

Fakenham & Wells Times: Fakenham Town FC shirts being used at a club called Mile 91 in Sierra LeoneFakenham Town FC shirts being used at a club called Mile 91 in Sierra Leone (Image: Submitted)

“I started doing this as I went to the 2010 World Cup and part of the package I got was township tours, and they were speaking about the need for shirts,” Mr Chenery said.

“It is good to see them get a second life, I know we are going through tough times here, but the lifestyle out there is a lot harder and they have a lot less than we do.

“They can make use of these old kits which more often than not end up in a storage shed or someone’s loft, now they're supporting these children.”

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Fakenham & Wells Times: Fakenham Town FC shirts are being used at the William Stewart Foundation in MalawiFakenham Town FC shirts are being used at the William Stewart Foundation in Malawi (Image: Submitted)

Since the donations started, kits from Fakenham have gone to children and charities in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Uganda, and Malawi.

A spokesperson for Fakenham Town FC said: “Fakenham Town Youth are very proud to be able to donate old youth kits to the charity Talents Academy.

“Our kit has reached Uganda and it brings a lot of joy to see them in the kit and that it will be put to good use.

"We aim to support the local community offering opportunities for children in and around Fakenham and by supporting this charity, we can safely say we now also support the world.

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Fakenham & Wells Times: Fakenham Town FC shirts bing used at the Talents Academy in UgandaFakenham Town FC shirts bing used at the Talents Academy in Uganda (Image: Submitted)

"We have recently been able to get in touch with the charity who will be printing photos we have sent to them of the ground and placed on a noticeboard in Uganda so the people there know where it has come from."

If your club wants to get involved, contact Mr Chenery at julian.chenery@hotmail.com

Fakenham & Wells Times: Fakenham Town FC shirts are being used at the William Stewart Foundation in Malawi Fakenham Town FC shirts are being used at the William Stewart Foundation in Malawi (Image: Submitted)