A NEW meaning will be given to the words 'football strip' when the lads at Exbourne Football Club get their kit off to raise much-needed cash on December 18.

Five players have volunteered to strip for a special club fundraising event at the Red Lion in Exbourne.

Club chairman Chris Miller said it all started as a joke in the pub one night.

With funds needed to pay for facilities and equipment at the recently formed club Chris said: 'desperate times call for desperate measures'.

The team, who plan to look 'hot stuff' in firemens' outfits, have already been offered £250 to do the 'Full Monty' and Chris hopes it can raise £1,000.

Betting on the horses will be the prelude to the main event when the videos of classic horse racers from the past are shown and people have the chance to win prize money. Twenty per cent of the cash from the betting will go to the football club.

Before the club was formed earlier this year, there had been no football matches in Exbourne for more than 20 years. With help from the local people, the team, which had been playing its first season of home matches in Exeter, was able to bring football back to the community.

Matches are now played on the multi-purpose local playing field and changing and shower facilities have been installed in the village hall.

Chris said ongoing funds were needed to keep the club going and pay for new equipment.

'Our ultimate aim is to raise the money for a clubhouse,' he said.

The evening starts at 8pm. Anyone wishing to sponsor the team can call Chris on 01837 851492.