In decades to come when they're silver-haired old men bouncing their grandchildren on their knees, they'll be able to talk about how they played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Well, almost.

This East Oxford team, Union Street FC, who play in the RT Harris Oxford City League, set off for Germany on Sunday to play in the Alternative World Cup.

Like the real thing, this tournament, called the Bolz Weltmeisterschaft, involves 32 teams from around the world.

But unlike Sven's men, the Oxford lads aren't gunning for glory - just fair play and friendliness in a tournament which prides itself on being all about social and cultural exchange.

Each team takes with them items which are representative of their nation, so the team headed for Germany laden with the rules and regulations of Aunt Sally, some bottles of Hook Norton beer and their own folk band.

And although the side are playing international football like their Premiership counterparts, that's where the similarities end.

While Beckham and the boys flew out on their own private jet, the Union Street team clambered aboard a minibus for a trek across to Kassel, where the tournament is being staged.

And there is no luxury five-star hotel. They have had to make do with a campsite.

Team spokesman Ben Beaumont said before the players left: "It's just going to be amazing to be in Germany at the same time as the World Cup is going on.

"Some of us are hoping to get to some of the real World Cup games and we know they'll be a huge screen at the campsite we're staying at, so we'll be sure to watch all the England matches.

"The idea is we share a bit of our local culture, so we're trying to take a bit of Oxford life out with us.

The team, who played in an alternative FA Cup last year which led to their entry in this competition, are renowned for their fair play ethos and gentlemanly conduct and last year won the Oxfordshire FA Fair Play Award.

The tournament starts on Thursday and runs to Sunday.