FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

The England World Cup squad flew to France on Tuesday carrying the expectations of a nation. The Boeing 737 carrying the 22-man squad, coaching staff and officials left Heathrow airport for the team’s final preparations in France before their opening game against Tunisia on Monday. The players, dressed in their official Paul Smith-designed beige suits, blue shirts and blue suede shoes, were cheered by about 150 airport workers as they walked from their team coach to the plane. The coach had been given a police escort as it swept onto the airport tarmac. Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham, looking relaxed and smiling despite the controversy over his recent late night antics in Portugal, shared a joke with members of the Arsenal contingent, including Tony Adams, who was the last player off the vehicle. The Football Association had asked British Airways to stock tea, coffee, orange and tomato juice and still water, but no food for the one-hour flight.

The squad had a special check-in service arranged at their hotel before driving to Heathrow to save time at the airport. The Boeing, named Chelsea Rose, was painted two days ago with a red rose logo on the tail fin and “England” at the end of the fuselage in honour of the squad.

The team are due to take part in a warm-up match with French side Caen in Normandy on Tuesday evening as a dress rehearsal for Monday’s opener in Marseilles.

They are then due to move on to their training headquarters at La Baule.