Staffs University and Stoke City help African footballers

A university lecturer has teamed up with Stoke City FC to send football strips to under-privileged youngsters in Africa.

Neil Hart visited the Britannia Stadium to collect a dozen strips after appealing to the club for help.

The Potters’ kits, which include adults and junior strips, will be sent to Olympic Football Club Nayya Sporting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The strips were presented to Dr Hart by Stoke defenders Leon Cort, and Gabriel Zakuani who plays for Congo and was born in Kinshasa.

Dr Hart, who lectures in sports technology, visited the club when holidaying and working in Africa and approached them to see if he could help.

His Zimbabwean wife, Bokani, is employed as an aid worker for Catholic Relief Services in the region and Dr Hart is travelling to Africa for Christmas.

“They’re so enthusiastic about football and so dedicated,” Dr Hart said.

“They train every day and their fitness and skill levels are phenomenal.”

People in Congo have suffered years of war and in a recent outbreak of fighting in Kinshasa 600 people were killed.

“Because of the instability life can be very tough, but the players are so passionate about football.

“I really want to do something to help them,” he said.

Stoke City’s community programme manager Adrian Hurst said the club was delighted to help.

“We have thousands of appeals from charities and have to decide which ones to help. It’s great to think of youngsters running around in all those Stoke shirts.”

Dr Hart has also received kit from Nike and is collecting shirts from Staffordshire University employees and the community across north Staffordshire.

Anyone wishing to donate laundered football shirts can send them to