One day before the teams are to put their bids to Fifa, Charlton told reporters, "We are a long way from being dead."

Most observers believe that the violence perpetrated by hooligans at Euro 2000 has wrecked any chances that England had of winning the vote, but Charlton thinks differently.

"I am ashamed of the hooligans like everybody else but I consider that we are still very much in the race," he said.

Bid director Alec McGivan is also in bullish mood, making it clear that England are not giving up the ghost.

"I want to make it very clear once and for all that there's not been any question of us pulling out," said McGivan.