Soccer legend Neville Southall who kept goal for Wales and Everton had his hands full with his latest catch - 1,000 footballs.

As Margate Football Club’s soccer development officer he welcomed the donation from sweet firm Mars as part of the company’s campaign to encourage the sport at grass roots level, with 115,000 balls given away this summer.

Mars is encouraging aspiring Margate footballers to get up, get out and most importantly get playing - a recent survey by the company revelead that 58 per cent of Kent haven’t played a ball game in the last six months and that 72 per cent believe that we don’t play enough sport compared to other countries.

Neville works with over 300 players in Margate encouraging the development of a range of teams from the first team right through to the 12-14 year old age group. He also encourages teenagers to play football through his community scheme Sport for Energy.

“It is so important for players to practice whenever they can, but often in the past we have struggled to get our hands on footballs to train with,” he said.

“With Mars’ football donation these players can practice as often as possible bringing them one step closer to their dream of professional football.”