A Norfolk youth football club has been given a World Cup boost by football legend Pele.
The Brazilian ace has signed a shirt which is the star lot tonight at a fundraising ball for the East Coast Warriors club.
They are worlds apart in the global game.
Pele's stunning skills have seen him labelled the best player of all time and become a global icon as he graced World Cups between 1958 and 1970.
East Coast Warriors are based on the playing fields of Bodham near Holt, where they run seven youth teams involving more than 100 youngsters.
The link-up came through celebrity photographer Andy Gotts, whose family live at Sheringham, and who is a friend of a Warriors mum.
He met Pele through capturing him for his growing portfolio of portraits featuring movie, stage and sports stars.
'The shot was taken recently as part of my iCons project for the Elton John AIDS Foundation featuring people the movies, music, fashion and sports who have reached a pinnacle in their chosen career; and whom we deem as 'legends'.
Pele signed the shirt at the shoot.
'I took a couple with me for him to sign. He was more than happy to sign them. He was a real beautiful soul and a great ambassador of 'the beautiful game',' said Mr Gotts, who is currently working as official photographer for the Monty Python reunion.
'If by donating this little trinket, that I have collected along the dusty roads of being a celebrity photographer, I can help a few Norfolk boys get out in the open air and wave the flag for North Norfolk, its the least I can do,' he added.
Warriors under-10s manager Craig Howell said they had no idea of what price the Pele shirt would fetch at the ball being attended by 210 people at Pinewood Park Leisure Centre Upper Sheringham tonight.
He said it was 'incredible' for the rural club to get a boost from a man who was a sporting legend.
The club, after a spell based at Sheringham, is currently moving seven of its teams back to Bodham where it began and looking to boost its funds.
Other items under the hammer include Norwich City and Manchester United signed footballs, and boxing gloves signed by local fighters Jon Thaxton and the Walsh brothers.
To place a phone bid for the Pele shirt call Mr Howell on 07825 302464.
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