He may be thousands of miles away in Australia, but Darlaston-born Sam Brookes has been rekindling all his links with his home town thanks to an Express & Star appeal.

The football-mad 74-year-old has been re-igniting friendships from 50 years ago, after more than 20 long-lost pals, colleagues and football team mates responded to his plea to get in touch.

Letters, photos, books and even DVDs about Darlaston life have been winging their way across the world to Mr Brookes, making sure he has his own little slice of the Black Country in sunny western Australia.

The former Slater Street school pupil is proudly staking his claim as the only man in Oz to own a Darlaston Town FC shirt, sent to him by kind-hearted club bosses. The father of one said: “I go way back to my playing days in the Walsall Minor League for Darlaston Green Rovers and so Darlaston FC sent me a shirt.

“I must be the only man in Australia to have one. We’ve got Wolves shirts over here and all the other big names. I’m so proud to have put them on the map.”

Mr Brookes, who moved down under in 1975 with late wife Rita and daughter Kaye, contacted Express & Star columnist Professor Carl Chinn earlier this year, after an article about Darlaston memories struck a chord with him.

The former Rubery Owen mechanic was blown away by the response from readers. “I’m so overwhelmed by the letters I’ve got. You wouldn’t believe what pleasure it’s brought me,” said Mr Brookes, who lives in Perth.

Among those to get in touch was fellow former Darlaston Green Rovers FC player Sid Nash, while Mr Brookes has been in regular contact old school friends Derek Cooper and Fred Corns, who send him interesting copies and cuttings from the Express & Star.

Despite loving his life in Australia, Mr Brookes has compiled a scrap book crammed with letters, photos and other Darlaston memorabilia. “I’ll never be a true Australian – I’ll always be a Darlastonian at heart.”

Mr Brookes is appealing for old pals and team mates to get in touch. Contact our reporters on 01922 444314.