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      Man City’s Erling Haaland lets his hair down as he boots a ball around on yacht in Cannes after missing Euro 2024

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      NORWEGIAN striker Erling Haaland has a ball on his volley-days after missing the boat on qualifying for the Euros.The Man City net-buster, 23, was seen booting a ball around while on a yacht on a break in Cannes, France.Erling Haaland kicks a ball around after missing the boat on qualifying for the EurosCredit: BackGridThe Norwegian striker let his hair down aboard a yacht on a break in Cannes, FranceCredit: BackGridErling was pictured going on a ride on a jet ski while on his holidayCredit: BackGridHe was joined on the water by pals and his dad — former City and Leeds ace Alfie, 51. Erling has won the Premier League twice, plus the FA Cup and Champions League in the last two years.Last season he scored 45 goals in all competitions for City — and six of Norway’s 14 goals in their qualifying campaign. But they were not enough to get them to Euro 2024, which starts tonight.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn fact, Norway have not qualified for a major tournament since 2000.But Erling kept his skills sharp and let his hair down by going for a ride on a jet ski.Earlier this week, Erling played DJ in Marbella.Haaland and an entourage of friends were spotted partying hard in Marbella, with the group clearly loving life.Most read in Euro 2024Haaland let his trademark long blonde locks flow as the group vibed with DJ Angel Sanchez at the Restaurante Playa Padre.As the music blasted, Haaland danced the night away with a mischievous grin on his face.The Man City ace was also spotted soaking up the sunCredit: BackGridHaaland was joined by friends and family on the luxury yachtCredit: BackGridThe ace scored 45 goals in all competitions for City last seasonCredit: RexErling Haaland lets his hair down as he plays DJ on well-earned Marbella holiday while Man City pals head to Euros More

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      England’s Euro 2024 captain Harry Kane reveals he secretly took up chess after being inspired by Netflix drama

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      THREE Lions’ goalscoring grandmaster Harry Kane has told how he loves playing chess — as the Euros finally get underway tonight.England have another 48 nerve-jangling hours to wait before their opening match against Serbia on Sunday.Harry Kane has revealed he loves playing chessCredit: GettyTHE England captain took up the game a couple of years ago and has been pitting his wits against some of his Bayern Munich team-matesSkipper Harry, 30, and the rest of Gareth Southgate’s lads were put through their paces in training yesterday at their HQ in Blankenhain.And England’s record scorer, 30, could be plotting some cunning moves off the pitch as well — after revealing his new-found love for the classic strategy game. He said: “I use chess just to switch off, you know, it’s such a mental game. “You have to focus on every moment, every move.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHarry said he was inspired a couple of years ago by Netflix drama The Queen’s Gambit, and has been pitting his wits against some of his Bayern Munich teammates.He went on: “Joshua Kimmich — we had quite a few games. I think Kingsley Coman is the best, but I haven’t actually played him yet. I’m trying to get a bit more practice in before I play ‘King’.”However, the married father of four told GQ Germany that golf was his favourite way to switch off from “all the stress and nerves that come with football”.Jack Wilshere’s England XI vs SerbiaSunSport columnist Jack Wilshere wants Engand to start with just one holding midfielder – Declan Rice.
      That means playing Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham in attacking midfield roles, with Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka on the wings, either side of Harry Kane up top.
      Wilshere said: “In the group stage against teams we should beat, we can  afford to be more expansive, let’s attack.
      “It wasn’t that long ago we were saying we didn’t have the Spanish-type of players who can dominate the ball, now we have.
      “So let’s try to utilise that, dominate the ball and go for goals.”
      And the ex-England midfielder wants Trent Alexander-Arnold to get the nod at right-back, with Kyle Walker centre-back.
      He added: “If you play Trent at right-back and he drifts in midfield, he can switch the play at speed. Walker’s pace will get you out of trouble.”
      Read more from Jack Wilshere during Euro 2024.

      He should hopefully be properly relaxed as the squad are staying in a luxury golf resort as they prepare for their opener in Gelsenkirchen.Most read in Euro 2024With an estimated half a million Three Lions fans tipped to head to Germany, the former Spurs star ranked England and France as the favourites to win the tournament — as well as the hosts.He said: “It being a home tournament, I think that always makes it a little bit more special for your country to go and perform. So I’m definitely not ruling Germany out.” They open the tonight with a mouthwatering clash against, with 10,000 Tartan Army fans expected in Munich’s 66,000-capacity Allianz Arena.They open the Euros tonight against Scotland, with 10,000 Tartan Army fans expected in Munich’s 66,000-capacity Allianz Arena.Harry Kane reveals his ‘perfect outcome’ before heading off to EurosSome 200,000 Scots are estimated to head over to Germany, hoping to see their side progress to the knock-out stage of a major tournament for the first time.In total, 12million supporters will pour into fan zones across the country — including a vast one next to the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin which can host 130,000 people — for 51 matches in 31 days.Demand has been sky-high with every game sold out — after Uefa received a staggering 52million requests for 2.7million tickets.However, away from the action, authorities warn of a heightened risk of terrorists targeting the tournament.A vast security operation will be coordinated from a brand-new nerve centre in Neuss, near Cologne.More than 600 officers are based in the “International Police Cooperation Centre”, overseeing the 22,000 cops on duty every day.Flight restrictions will be imposed over every stadium on matchdays, with a hi-tech aerial defence system capable of bringing down drones.Germany’s Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser said: “The police will have a high presence at all venues and everywhere there are large numbers of people. The federal police will protect the German borders, airports and rail traffic where national teams and fans move.”Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale training with England in GermanyCredit: GettyYesterday, the supporters were simply focused on having a good time and, for Three Lions fans at least, dreaming of victory.Student Harry Todd, 20, of South Shields, was confident of getting to the final in Berlin on July 14 — and winning it.He said: “I have a good feeling this time. I really think we can do it.”Their Scottish counterparts had lower expectations as they partied in Munich before tonight’s match, seemingly vastly outnumbering the hosts.READ MORE SUN STORIESFinance worker Blair Mckenzie, 47, from Edinburgh, one of the lucky ones with a ticket, said: “I am hopeful, but not confident. We’ll enjoy ourselves whatever happens. The Tartan Army are entertaining people today but this is nothing. We haven’t got going yet.”Birgit Moehl, 58, one of the few in German colours, said: “We haven’t been very good for a few years but I think we’ll win this tournament. We’ve loved watching the Scotland fans – they know how to party.”Declan Rice posted this pic with Bayern Munich striker Kane to InstagramCredit: InstagramTrent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham are also with England at their HQ in BlankenhainCredit: Getty More

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      England’s Wags send secret packages to surprise players ahead of Euro 2024 opener against Serbia

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      ENGLAND’S Wags sent secret parcels to their heroes ahead of Sunday’s Euros opener against Serbia, we can reveal.The surprise packages were placed on the players’ beds before they arrived at the team’s five-star Weimarer Spa training base in Blankenhain.England’s Wags sent secret parcels to their heroes ahead of Sunday’s Euros opener against Serbia (pictured: Harry Kane’s wife Kate)Credit: World Cup News Pool (WCNP) – England vs FrancePlayers with children also got notes from their kids wishing them luck (pictured: Megan Pickford)Credit: Dan CharityThey included sealed letters from Wags that are to be opened on specific days during the tournament in Germany.Players with children also got notes from their kids wishing them luck.Special teddies, family photographs and meaningful keepsakes that smell of home were also included.A source said: “Each Wag made up a box containing special items.read more on euros”They wrote letters which are to be opened on set days during the tournament to give the players that extra boost.”They also include photographs of family and friends that they can stick on the wall of their hotel room.”Teddies and pillows laced with perfume are in the bundle too.”The package is designed to make them feel more at home at their training base.Most read in Euro 2024″The players will hopefully be away from their loved ones for over a month – so every little detail has been seen to.”At previous tournaments, Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has rewarded the players for getting out of the group stage with a family day.MYSTIC WAG ‘Super spiritual’ England star Phil Foden and his Wag Rebecca Cooke visit PSYCHIC in bid to help England win Euro 2024He is expected to follow the same approach in Germany as England bid for glory.The Wags are expected to roar on the Three Lions inside Gelsenkirchen’s 62,000-seat Veltins Arena as they kick off their campaign on Sunday.They will include Jordan Pickford’s missus, Megan, skipper Harry Kane’s wife, Kate, and John Stones’s other half, Olivia Naylor.England face Denmark on June 20 before ending the group stages against Slovenia on June 25. More

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      Trent Alexander-Arnold gives girlfriend Iris Law a lift as the pair model Guess Jeans in new deal as brand ambassadors

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      ENGLAND’S Trent Alexander-Arnold turns ­supporter for his girlfriend, model Iris Law.The Liverpool footie star, 25, gave the 23-year-old daughter of actor Jude Law a lift as they modelled Guess Jeans in a new deal as brand ambassadors.Trent Alexander-Arnold was joined by girlfriend Iris for a Guess Jeans shootCredit: Guess JeansTrent is looking likely to start for England at the upcoming EurosThe Sun revealed their growing romance last month.It came as England skipper Harry Kane gave a Three Lions roar with Phil Foden and Ivan Toney in the team’s official Euros 2024 portraits.Real Madrid are keen to snap Trent up and he is all set for a starring role in the Euros after limited game time at previous tournaments.And actress-model Iris, who shaved her head for a role in Danny Boyle’s Sex Pistols drama Pistol, made an eye-catching appearance at the Cannes film festival last month wearing a sheer white mini-dress on the red carpet.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe couple have been taken on as ambassadors by Guess to promote its new Airwash jeans, a greener version of the stonewash denim it introduced in the 1980s.A spokesman said: “Trent Alexander-Arnold and Iris Law embody the modern evolution of the brand.”Iris and Trent met while filming on a shoot with Guess.A fashion insider said: “They hit it off immediately, swapped numbers and started to follow one another on Instagram. Most read in Football”Since then they’ve been regularly WhatsApping and getting to know each other.”Who is Iris Law and is she dating footballer Trent Alexander Arnold More

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      England axe a strict swimsuit ban that would have forced players to go naked at their German hotel’s spa complex

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      ENGLAND have scrapped a strict swimsuit ban at their German hotel’s swish spa complex.The squad’s five-star hotel base normally operates a no clothes rule for steamy sauna and Turkish bath sessions.England have scrapped a strict swimsuit ban at their German hotel’s swish spa complex (pictured Jude Bellingham)Credit: SkimsThe players are staying at the Weimarer Land Golf Resort and Spa in BlankenhainCredit: Darren FletcherBut Three Lions chiefs confirmed yesterday that a cover-up had been ordered for staff and players including Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.Hunky Three Lions wonderkid Bellingham, 20, had fans swooning as he posed a pair of tight white pants on the front page of yesterday’s Sun.But a Nude Bellingham will not be on show at the Weimarer Land Golf Resort and Spa in Blankenhain after FA bosses ordered stars not to strip off.Signs at the entrance to the spa area announcing “hier beginnt der textilfrei bereich” – “here begins the clothes-free area”in English -.are understood to have been taken down.READ MORE ON EUROS 2024England stars are used to seeing each other naked in dressing rooms after matches and training sessions but the clothing ban extends to women in the mixed spa area.But several women are among the backroom staff joining the players, who will have the entire resort at their disposal for the duration of Euro 2024.Players will be required to wear football or swimming shorts at all times while using the sumptuous facility.Sun mascot Harry Mane visited road tested the sauna earlier this year – and was obliged to remove his Three Lions shorts.Most read in FootballEngland have booked out all 94 rooms at the hotel for entire duration of their stay in Germany – which cost an estimated £800,000.An FA source said: “We’re aware of the rule about clothing in the spa but it won’t apply while we’re here.WAGS at war, 2006 World Cup wild WAGS vs 2024 social media WAGS of the Euros“Shorts will be the norm.”A Weimarer hotel spokesman told The Sun: “We normally don’t allow clothes in the spa but it is up to the FA what they do when they arrive.“They’re our honoured guests and can do whatever makes them most comfortable while they’re at the resort.”FA’s troll hunters
      FOOTBALL bosses are giving the police £25,000 to take yobs to court when they abuse Three Lions stars online.
      After Euro2020, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka suffered racial abuse from web trolls.
      FA chief Mark Bullingham said: “In the past we put together all the data for the police.
      “This time we are funding a unit that will then prosecute.” More

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      ‘Super spiritual’ England star Phil Foden and his Wag Rebecca Cooke visit PSYCHIC in bid to help England win Euro 2024

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      THREE Lions ace Phil Foden and his Wag Rebecca Cooke hope England winning the Euros is on the cards after visiting a psychic.The Manchester City wizard, 24, was given a tarot card reading by mystic Chloe Smith, 25, just days before the tournament kicks off tomorrow in Germany.England star Phil Foden and Wag Rebecca Cooke have visited a psychic in a bid to help the Three Lions win Euro 2024Credit: Eamonn and James ClarkeChloe says she ‘loved’ reading for ‘very spiritual’ Phil and BeccaCredit: SWNSSpiritual Phil’s visit for a tarot card reading with his pregnant partner Rebecca Cooke was just days before Euro 2024 kicks off in Germany.Chloe, who claims to be able to tune into clients’ energy, said: “I loved reading for Phil and Becca, both very spiritual and kind-hearted people! A lot of luck is coming Phil’s way for sure!”It comes as England prepare for their opening group game against Serbia on Sunday, with Foden, 24, tipped to feature after a stellar ­season with Manchester City. A source said: “Phil was as keen as Rebecca to get the reading done, especially with such a big tournament on the horizon.READ MORE ON EURO 2024“Hopefully Chloe told him she saw football was coming home! Phil is very in touch with his feelings and was keen to see if Chloe could give him any insight into the future.“A lot of top players spend time doing positive visualisations ahead of games in the hope it helps. If it relaxes them and makes them feel good, that can only be positive.”Mum-of-three Chloe, from Uttoxeter, Staffs, said she decided to become a medium after seeing the spirit of her grandmother at her funeral four years ago.The 25-year-old, who initially did free readings for friends before charging around £35 a session, said: “I started seeing angels and dead people at home.Most read in Euro 2024“It was such a positive feeling, I didn’t feel anxious or scared.”She asks most customers to bring along a photo of a loved one, and counts dozens of celebrities as clients including Helen Skelton, Daisy May Cooper and Maura Higgins.Three reasons why Phil Foden is world-classShe explained: “Your past loved ones can’t come forward and say ‘hi’. I basically see symbols and signs or they use my body as a channel. I use tarot cards to confirm information, but I only do positive information. I don’t tell you when you’re going to die.”Phil was so impressed by Chloe he offered a discount code for followers on Instagram.Last month the £200,000-a-week star won his fourth Premier League title in a row with Man City, bagging a staggering 24 goals.Ex-England star Wayne Rooney has urged Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate to “build the team around him”. His mystic visit will hopefully go better than England’s last attempt to seek divine intervention to win a trophy.Phil was so impressed by mystic Chloe he offered a discount code for followers on InstagramCredit: GettyManager Glenn Hoddle enlisted the services of “faith healer” Eileen Drewery at the 1998 World Cup.Some players including Paul Merson said she helped. But Ray Parlour famously mocked her by sitting down and asking for a “short back and sides”. England went out in the round of 16.
      FA President Prince William will head to Germany for England’s second group game against Denmark at Frankfurt next Thursday, Kensington Palace confirmed.
      WAGS’ PACK BOOST
      By Paul Sims
      ENGLAND’S Wags sent secret parcels to their partners ahead of this Sunday’s Euros opener against Serbia, we can reveal.
      The surprise packages were put on the players’ beds before they arrived at their five-star Weimarer Spa training base in Blankenhain.
      A source said: “Each Wag made up a box containing special items.
      “They wrote letters to be opened on set days during the tournament to give the players that extra boost.
      “They also include photos of ­family and friends that they can stick on the wall of their hotel room.
      “Teddies and pillows laced with perfume are in the bundle too.
      “The package is designed to make them feel more at home. The players will hopefully be away from their loved ones for over a month — so every little detail has been seen to.”
      At previous tournaments, boss Gareth Southgate rewarded the players for getting out of the group stage with a family day. He is likely to do the same in Germany.
      The Wags will roar on the Three Lions at Gelsenkirchen’s 62,000-seat Veltins Arena on Sunday. More

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      England stars spend thousands boosting their home security to foil burglary gangs while they are at Euro 2024

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      ENGLAND stars have spent thousands boosting their home security to foil the Away Day burglary gangs while they are at the Euros.Members of Gareth Southgate’s squad have installed military-grade equipment to avoid a repeat of the raid on Raheem Sterling, 29, during the World Cup.England stars have installed military-grade equipment to foil gangs while they’re at the EurosSterling, 29, had to rush home from the tournament in Qatar in December, 2022, when a gang stole £300,000 worth of designer watches from his house while his fiancée and their two children were home.High profile raids on other stars’ homes have continued to grab the headlines since that break-in at the Chelsea star’s mansion in Surrey, Cobham.Manchester City ace Jack Grealish, 28, and Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, 24, have both fallen victim while they were away from home.And now that the Three Lions have landed in Germany they have taken every precaution possible to secure their luxury mansions during the tournament.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA source said: “Players don’t want any worry or distractions whilst away.“They’ve seen what’s happened previously and want to make sure their focus is on the tournament, at any cost.”No expense has been spared as security firms installed cutting edge security technology including night vision cameras with a detection range of around 150ft and 8K resolution.Ex-Army personnel with highly trained guard dogs will also be patrolling the grounds of their homes and will even operate surveillance drones with 360-degree vision which fly too high for attackers to disable them.Most read in FootballThe tightening up of the stars’ defences on the home front follows reports of the Wags splashing out £100,000 on private bodyguards for the tournament.They are set to hire ex-military specialists amid fears of terror attacks following chilling ISIS threats issued ahead of Champions League matches this season.Newcastle’s £100m striker Alexander Isak’s mansion hit by gang of robbers in latest raid on Prem aces’ homesSecurity experts applauded the players’ plans to increase their home security.Christian Hill, managing director of security firm Intelligent Protection, said: “Footballers competing in the Euros should absolutely consider security for their homes and families whilst away as a matter of priority.“This should be at the forefront of their minds as robberies have become front-page news over the past few years and more than likely have involved players they know or even their own teammates.“These high-profile players can relieve the anxiety, stress and worry they must all get when leaving their families by contacting a security company and allowing them to provide support.“This will help the player to be fully focused on doing their job on the pitch.”The squad landed in Germany on Monday and headed to their Euros base at the 350-acre Weimarer Golf Hotel and Spa at Blankenhain, eastern Germany.Boss Southgate, 53, was keen to get his squad onto the training pitch yesterday to prepare for their tournament opener against Serbia on Sunday following the woeful 1-0 defeat to Iceland last week. More

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      England captain Harry Kane says team are hungry for Euros success after pep talk from Prince William

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      ENGLAND skipper Harry Kane said the team are hungry for Euros success after they had a pep talk from Prince William.But he laughed off a suggestion by Prince Louis that the team should eat double portions of food to achieve it.Prince William joins Gareth Southgate and the England squad before they jetted out to Germany to prepare for their first game of Euro 2024 on SundayCredit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaceThe Prince presented every member of the squad with a box containing a special shirt to be worn in the tournamentCredit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaceThe England squad in official M&S smart casual wearWills posed for a snap with the England squad — with Gareth Southgate’s men also unveiling an official photo in casual cargo trousers, polo shirts, tees, shirts and bomber jackets made by M&S.As FA President, the Prince of Wales was a regular at Wembley during the last Euros in 2021 and is set to jet to Germany to back the Three Lions this month.He delivered off-the-cuff advice to Southgate and his 26-man squad at St George’s Park yesterday as they prepared to fly out ahead of Sunday’s opener with Serbia.He said: “I was on the school run this morning with the children and I said, ‘What shall I say to the England team? I’m seeing them today’. The best bit of advice I got was to eat twice the amount you normally would eat.READ MORE ON THE THREE LIONS“So I then had visions of you running around, massive great tummies and loads of stitches on the pitch. So maybe take my youngest’s advice with a pinch of salt, particularly around the physio team.”Laughing off six-year-old Louis’ suggestion, Bayern Munich striker Kane, 30, said: “We’ve got to be careful with that. I don’t think a nutritionist was too happy with that advice — but it’s great to have Prince William here.“He’s such a big supporter and has been to a few camps before the major tournaments. It just gives us extra motivation.”Every member of the squad was then presented with a box containing a special shirt to be worn in the tournament.Most read in FootballIt also featured the history of the number they would be wearing and a personalised reminder of how they fell in love with the game as youngsters.Kane’s included a picture of him as a boy with the Ridgeway Rovers Football Club logo — and the words, “Harry Kane: All time goalscorer”.England stars land in Germany ready to be whisked to luxury Euro 2024 base as Kane and Co look to lead nation to gloryRovers is the club in Chingford, East London, where he played as a boy.Prince William, who is an Aston Villa fan, plans to travel to Germany to watch the Three Lions when they take on ­Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.Captain Kane said: “He loves it. He’s a big football fan, his kids are obviously big fans as well, now. We know how much it means to the country, to the fans — and that’s everyone from the Royal Family to the shopworkers.“The whole nation comes together and we feel a responsibility to try to make them proud.“The only way we can do that is to go out and give everything for this badge we wear.”Wills joined Southgate, Kane, Villa striker Ollie Watkins, 28, and former Lioness Jill Scott, 37, at St George’s Park’s David Beckham Pitch to watch a tournament played by local school children.William told some of the kids he was “never good at ­scoring”, so often played in defence.Lines of police vansLater, the England squad took off from Birmingham Airport for the 90-minute flight to Erfurt in central Germany. Security was tight at the airport for their arrival.Lines of police vans appeared, plus heavily-armed cop teams and a military helicopter. Hundreds of locals turned up to welcome the squad. The biggest roars were saved for Kane and Real Madrid midfield ace Jude Bellingham, 20.The crowd serenaded Kane with a chant of “Harry, Harry, Harry”.Many were convinced that England have a better chance of lifting the trophy than Germany.Jackie Williams, 47, from Erfurt, said: “Germany have improved lately so they do have a chance but England have the best players.”England have spent £800,000 booking out the entire 94-room Weimarer Land Golf and Spa resort — set in 350 acres with three golf courses — in Blankenhain.READ MORE SUN STORIESResort bosses have installed every UK TV channel in every room to ensure the pampered players do not miss a second of their favourite shows — including Love Island.Star midfielder Declan Rice, 25, said the reality show is required viewing. He also revealed every player has a ­PlayStation games console. The Three Lions remain 3-1 favourites to win Euro 2024, ahead of France and Germany.Harry Kane laughed off a suggestion by Prince Louis that the team should eat double portions of food to satisfy the squad’s hunger for successCredit: APWills joined Southgate, Kane, Villa striker Ollie Watkins and former Lioness Jill Scott at St George’s Park’s David Beckham Pitch to watch a tournament with local kidsCredit: PA More