BROCKLEY youngsters got a big surprise when England football coach Roy Hodgson dropped in to see them.

The boss was in town to visit HF Sports Paulista and present them with a FA Charter Standard Community Award - the Football Association's highest kite mark.

And Mr Hodgson, who was joined by FA chairman Greg Dyke along with players-turned-pundits Mark Bright and John Salako, stayed around to speak to the young players and their coaches.

Football development officer Darren Smith said he had kept the visit as a surprise for the players. He told News Shopper: "One of the kids said 'isn't that the England manager?'

"They were scratching their heads, going 'no, he can't be in Brockley'."

With 375 youngsters and 30 coaches, HF Sports Paulista, based at the King's College ground in Brockley Rise, was created earlier this year by merging three clubs together. It has recently launched two girls' teams.

To find out more email Info@paulista.co.uk or call 020 8690 5586.