Ray rallies fans

The mighty Ray Winstone is being wheeled out by the Football Association as the public face of England fans in the World Cup.

Perhaps the Soho Square buffers should make the West Ham fan and Britain's finest actor - don't write in - England manager while they're at it.

Winstone's presence in "video appeals" (writes the Guardian) will, it's hoped, minimise the potential for hooliganism at the tournament in Germany.

Heading up the Alltogethernow campaign, Winstone is quoted in the Guardian where he explains: "I am proud to be an England fan and enjoy nothing more than joining in with the crowd to get behind the team, but let's get this straight. Causing trouble at a football tournament is unacceptable.

"I'm as passionate about being an England fan as the next man, but the moment you get involved in violence you let down the team and the country."

The paper adds that next week, on Channel 4, the always-watchable Winstone stars as a corrupt Premiership boss, sheepskin coat and all, in the much-anticipated drama All In The Game.