A WINTON schoolboy has recently returned from Romania, where he's been working to distribute football boots and kit to underprivileged youngsters with his father.

Ten-year-old Josh Harfield, who was accompanied by his dad, Jeremy, on the sporting mercy mission, travelled to northwest Romania.

Jeremy told the Daily Echo: "We were given lots of kit from Park School in Bournemouth, and 30 new pairs of boots from Bournemouth Footwear in Winton, which was just amazing.

"So we managed to take out four 32kg suitcases full of boots."

Josh's dad has been collecting second hand boots and kit for the Romanian Centrul de Fotbal Academic for three years.

This organisation, established in 2008, works to provide the neediest children in Oradea - and neighbouring villages - the chance to play football, offering them equipment and kit they would otherwise not be able to afford.

Josh, who attends St Luke's Church of England Primary School, plays football in the Littledown Junior League.

He said: "I feel sad for the players out there, as some only have old trainers and no boots so they kept sliding over."

Now the Romanian academy has enough boots for the next two years.

Jeremy added: "Josh has a new football team which is Branksome United. Also, he'll be featuring in an upcoming Bournemouth Football Club matchday programme"

Josh, who is also a Junior Cherry, started collecting secondhand boots before Christmas, spending his pocket money and buying online and from charity shops.

Grass root academies in Romania attract no help from the government, relying solely on donations to get by.

An academy spokesman explained: "One of our goals is to offer talented children a fair chance to play professional football and someday to reach their goals and become professional football players."