The transfer window will soon be open again with clubs across the country looking to bring in players to bolster their ranks - and a sports project based in Gravesend is no different.

A team of up to 12 young footballers are needed before the end-of-January deadline to take part in the scheme which not only offers a trip of a lifetime to China and Hong Kong but also aims to forge links between schools.

Two of the men behind the initiative, Lee Parker, 44, who owns Carpet Design Centre in Rochester Road, and director Rob Livingstone, 42, have already signed up seven players but need to make up the numbers.

Having taken boys from the Medway area in previous years, they are now keen to offer the opportunity to those aged between 11 and 14 and living in Gravesham and Dartford.

The 11-day trip takes place in April, with accommodation, kit and food all paid for by the Chinese government.

However, the cost of the flights, totalling about £900, needs to be met by those taking part, although Rob stressed the amazing opportunity the project offers.

“It is just fantastic. The boys play football against teams from schools in China and Hong Kong and can be greeted by up to 2,000 children. Last year we were signing autographs for one-and-a-half hours.

“We stay for three days at a YMCA in Hong Kong where there are great sporting facilities – five football pitches, tennis courts – and we use it as our base.

“We also go to Disneyland while we are there.

“But it’s not a relaxing holiday. We give the boys their own identification cards with email addresses and they are encouraged to exchange them with children out there and then stay in touch once they return home, like modern day penpals.”

Lee and Rob set up the project through business contacts in Medway and China a couple of years ago.

“There are now 50 different schools in Kent and China that are twinned together and we would like to add to that with more boys from Gravesend and Dartford,” added Rob.

“But we need to have the numbers as soon as possible as fares need to be paid in January.”

For more information contact Lee or Rob at Carpet Design Centre on 01474 325566 or go to their website ukmedway.co.uk