Southend based Sceptre Sunday League club Kings Field Casuals FC have returned from their eleventh German tour, having made friends both on and off the field during their stay in the beautiful village of Faid up in the mountains from the River Moselle.

The Touring Kings squad consists of supporters from Southend United, Leyton Orient and Canvey Island (next year they hope to have some of the Colchester supporters team joining them).

Connections with the German club started in 1998 after the late Len Forge (MBE for services to football) introduced the Casuals manager Brian Jeeves to Peter Rochulus from FC Faid, and the rest as they say is history.

The Kings have played over 100 European fixtures during trips to Germany, Czech Republic and Ireland. Over the past few years they have promoted our own local football by giving souvenirs to the local children.

Manager and Southend fan, Brian Jeeves, takes up the story "The big London clubs refused to help us in any shape or form, so we contacted Southend, Orient, Colchester and Canvey.

"They have all been fantastic and have supplied shirts, badges, programmes etc which we've passed on as gifts.

"There are only about 1000 people living in the village it strange to see the local kids in Southend, Colchester, Orient or Canvey shirts!"

There is no doubt the Kings are grateful to our local teams for their help. having supported the tours with donations, something it is hoped will be able to be continued in the future.