A FAMILY from Southend have been on a journey of discovery to Real Madrid’s football ground where their father made history by becoming the team’s first ever British player.

Not a lot of football fans will know that Real’s first foreign signing hailed from Southend in the shape of John Fox Watson who signed for them in 1948.

He moved there from playing for Fulham to join the Spanish team when such moves were rare.

With him went his wife Judith, son John, then six months old and daughter Carole, then aged three.

John Watson (junior) has run the Jolly Roger cafe at the Arches in Southend for the last 25 years.

He made the journey to Real Madrid recently with his family to relive the days of his late father.

He said: "My dad made history really, he is also the only Scotsman to ever play for the club.”

Mr Watson, 66, his son Spencer , 43, and grandson Nicholas, eight, were invited to Real Madrid to see the famous Bernabéu Stadium and visit the club museum which documents the club's history.