FA Ambassadors Gary Mabbutt and Viv Anderson meet the local children.
Tuesday, 05 June 2001.
The England Ambassadors brought smiles and laughter to 200 South African township children yesterday as part of a goodwill trip in Durban to play a match against South African Veterans to raise money for the Ellis Park Disaster Fund and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
The team travelled to Umlaz the Country's second-largest township after Soweto, to take part in a football development programme and distribute kit and gifts. The players joined in matches, game skills demonstrations and advice, and won the hearts of the local kids in the process.
"It's a fantastic experience to come to a township scheme like this and see the enthusiasm for the game and the natural talent that exists in these areas," said Gary Mabbutt.
"We are here to demonstrate our deepest respect towards those who died at Ellis Park on 11th April and to build upon the ever-closer relationship between English and South African football," said David Davies, FA Executive Director.
Squad: Bob Bolder, Terry Butcher, Alvin Martin, Paul Parker, John Beresford, Viv Anderson, Gary Mabbutt, Steve Hodge, Paul Davis, Chris Waddle, Mark Walter, Mark Chamberlain, Mark Bright, Ian Wright, Paul Walsh, Mark Hateley, Paul Allen