TEENAGE soccer ambassadors are set to bid ‘aloha’ to East Lancashire as part of an international friendship tour taking in some of the national game’s landmarks.

And players from Honolulu Galaxy will face Padiham FC’s youth side before visiting the likes of Wembley, Old Trafford and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

Club bosses hope their arrival, which coincides with the start of their annual sports week, could kickstart a new relationship between the Arbories club and the Hawaiian team.

Just to give them a real taste of northern football, after the fixture the island youngsters, who play in the Oahu League, will be served a traditional pie and peas supper.

Padiham FC secretary Alan Smith said: “We did the same when we had an American ladies team here a few years ago and they were wondering what the mushy green stuff was on the side of their plates."

Newly-appointed youth head Paul Gray will be given an early opportunity to run the rule over The Storks’ new under-18s side, which will play in the Lancashire FA Floodlit League.

Alan added: “We were talking to the organisers of the tour and they were looking for a club which could accommodate the 36 people who will be coming over in their party.

“We will be their first fixture, after they have had a tour of Manchester City’s ground.

“But we will be in good company as they are playing a Cambridge United academy side, on August 1, and then a West Ham United community team on August 4.”

The players are also scheduled for coaching sessions with the Premier League champions and West Ham, and have tickets to an Emirates Cup game at the Arsenal ground, before heading back on August 6.

“This should be a great start to our sports week - we’ve hosted women’s teams like Aston Villa, Blackburn and Newcastle but never a youth team from abroad,” said Alan.

The game is at 7pm on Wednesday at the Arbories Memorial Sports Ground.