BBC SPORT | Football | England in red for Wembley finale

England will wear red shirts in their World Cup qualifier against Germany next month for the first time at Wembley against their arch rivals since the 1966 final - at Kevin Keegan's request.

The England coach believes that wearing the traditional red shirts, which are also favoured by many supporters, could give the team a boost.

For Keegan will be attempting to recreate the spirit of the 1966 World Cup triumph, with Germany also wearing the same coloured shirts - white - that they sported 34 years ago.

And not only did England wear red against Germany in 1966 but they did the same this summer in the European Championships victory against their arch rivals in Charleroi.

Right occasion

FA executive director David Davies said: "This is the right occasion for the red shirts to be worn.

"The fans, whom we listen to, have made it clear how much they like the red shirts."

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington added: "Kevin is right behind us wearing the red shirts because of the success at Euro 2000 against Germany."

The last time that England wore red shirts at Wembley was their pre-Euro 2000 build-up game against Brazil, in which they secured a creditable 1-1 draw.

Bobby Moore celebrates 1966 World Cup win

Celebrations

The World Cup qualifier on 7 October against Germany will be the last match to be played at Wembley and the FA are currently organising a programme of celebrations to commemorate that fact.

However, they are also conscious that the match is of such importance that they do not want festivities to overshadow preparations.

"This is first and foremost a very important match that we want to win so we want to keep everyone focused," said FA chief executive Adam Crozier.

The FA had asked Sir Alf Ramsey's widow, Lady Ramsey, to be their special guest for the game but she is unable to attend due to an unavoidable prior commitment.

And although most of the 1966 survivors are pre-booked to be midway through a cruise on that day, Sir Bobby Charlton will be present at Wembley along with Franz Beckenbauer.

With about 7,000 German fans due to be present among the capacity 76,000-strong crowd, ideas such as who leads the teams out and a commemorative award for the last goalscorer at the stadium are also being considered.


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