AFC Bournemouth already has a following around the world, but now its shirts are being sported by youngsters kicking around footballs in West Africa.

A consignment of surplus club stock was donated to schools in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, the fourth poorest country in the world.

The donation was made to Myra’s Wells, a local charity drilling wells in Burkina Faso.

West Moors man Eddie Martin, who won the British Empire Medal in the NewYear’s honours, travelled to Africa and was there when the container arrived with the kit. Shortly afterwards, the charity visited two schools where boys were able to take advantage of the club’s generosity.

Mr Martin said: “I cannot tell you what they said, as they speak a local language, but I can tell you that they were so excited that they tore off the wrappers which all got thrown on the ground, and had to be collected before they had a kick-around.”

Burkina Faso’s own side reached the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations last year, losing to Egypt on penalties but finishing in third place by beating Ghana.

Myra’s Wells has provided 110 wells since 2006. Mr Martin said: “Myra’s wells is a ‘straight-thru’ charity, with 100 per cent of your donations going to water.”

Details are at myraswells.org