By Martin Hamer

England, led by Faye White, have Sven Goran Eriksson's backing

The top names in English football have expressed their support for the nation's women's team on the eve of the European Championships.

It kicks off on Sunday with Hope Powell's side hoping to give the female game in England a major boost by performing well as hosts.

They go into Euro 2005 with the best wishes of England manager Sven Goran Eriksson and captain David Beckham.

Eriksson said: "I wish Hope and her players the very best of luck."

He added: "International women's football is particularly good - it is an entertaining game and a great sport."

Sweden, Finland and Demark are in England's group, with current world and European champions Germany in Group B along with France, Norway and Italy.

All the games are being staged in the north west of England.

The progress made in 12 years has been nothing short of remarkable FA Chairman Geoff Thompson

Arsenal captain Faye White will lead England whose opening match is against Finland at the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday.

And she has received a special message from David Beckham, her male counterpart.

"It's a really special feeling to captain your country but to do it in a major tournament is fantastic and not many players get the chance," said Beckham.

"Faye is lucky that she will have the added honour of captaining her England side in front of home fans in a tournament on English soil.

David Beckham has sent a special message to Faye White

"I know she will give it her all and I'd like to wish her the very best for the tournament."

Brian Barwick, chief executive of the FA, said: "Within my first two weeks at the organisation I saw the England women's team beat fellow women's Euro 2005 finalists Italy 4-1 with an outstanding performance.

"The pride and commitment of the players was fantastic and bodes well for the finals."

FA chairman Geoff Thompson called the growth of women's football in recent years "phenomenal".

He added: "I am sure if we can get more youngsters playing, England can compete head-to-head with some of the game's superpowers.

"Here, traditionally football has been a man's game - the FA is 140 years old.

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"It is only comparatively recently that we have fully invested in and supported women's football, but the progress made in 12 years has been nothing short of remarkable."

And Sports Minister Richard Caborn is also keen on the women's version of the sport after seeing the USA play Brazil in the Olympic Final.

It was "a fantastic event", he said afterwards.