FORMER England and Manchester United legend turned soccer ambassador Sir Bobby Charlton made a rare visit to Kent to boost the fund-raising ventures of a village cricket club.

Sir Bobby, winner of 106 England caps and still the nation's leading international goal-scorer was guest of honour at the inaugural West Kent Sport Club dinner held at The Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells. He shared the top table with England cricket selector and former Derbyshire and Essex all-rounder Geoff (Dusty) Miller and local raconteur, Bob (The Cat) Bevan who organised the event on behalf of his village club, Bells Yew Green CC, in East Sussex.

The club is hoping to raise the funds to buy a 125-year lease for their picturesque ground and Sir Bobby was happy to respond to the invitation from his long-time friend 'The Cat’.

“After dinner speaking isn’t something I do any more because I simply don’t have the time, but when Bob Bevan rang I thought I should come and help,” said the former United hot-shot. “I know nothing about cricket. In fact, in the first three celebrity games I ever played in I was out first ball, but it’s good to help out a small club like this and make the people who run that club, who give up their time for nothing, just that little bit special for a change.”

Apart from speaking, Sir Bobby provided signed United shirts from Ryan Giggs and Juan Sabastian Veron to raise funds in an auction of sporting memorabilia.