A HAMPSHIRE village boys' foot-ball team is following in the foot-steps of soccer greats like Manchester United and heading for Europe.

Southampton Tyro League side Hamble Boys FC will be getting a big slice of the international soccer action in a weekend tournament at Kornwesthiem, near Stuttgart, which is twinned with Eastleigh.

The Hamble soccer kids will be making a 1,200-mile round trip by minibus starting on May 21 and returning on May 24. They will be pitting their soccer skills against teams from France, Italy, Spain, Morocco as well as German sides.

The youngsters will be going into Europe with first class football credentials.

Last year they enjoyed success when the under-11 team won the local league cup and this year the under-13s are through to the cup final which is due to be played next month.

They have had backing from several local businesses, including Norman Offer Transport which sponsored the under-11 team by providing a full team strip.

The Hamble side is warming to its international challenge.

Team manager David Hallifax says: "For us it is an opportunity to visit our twin town Kornwesthiem and forge links between our two football clubs which we hope will allow a German team to enter our own tournament held each year in August."

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