Jess and Joe were the two lucky fans chosen from the thousands who'd signed the Official England flag, to deliver it to the team. The campaign, run by Official Team Sponsor Nationwide and TheFA.com, was designed to let fans be at the World Cup in spirit, with their name on the flag that will follow them throughout June.

But for Jess and Joe, they got more than just their name on the flag.

Here's the diary of their trip:

After arriving on Friday afternoon at the Shin Kobe Hotel, competition winners Jess and Joe needed to relax. 15 hours of travel takes its toll, so the best option was to completely unwind with a massage. However, instead of retiring to bed, they decided to explore Kobe's nightlife. Returning to the hotel at 5:00am, it's pretty safe to say they had a good time!

The next day, a lazy morning was followed by a trip up the famous Kobe Cable-carts. Reaching the top was a mission in itself (carried up in tiny bubbles that rocked heavily in the slightest breeze). Luckily Joe didn't break down (he suffers from vertigo, and this trip hardly helped matters). Clear panoramic views of the city were breath-taking, helped also by the picturesque herb garden and some classic modern Japanese art.

In the afternoon, Jess and Joe explored the city by daylight (opposed to the previous night of late night drinking and debauchary). Complying to Japanese custom, gifts were exchanged through-out the day with those offering their help. Joe became the master of handing out official Football Association badges to all those who gave him directions, served him beer, or simply to kids who were staring at him.

That evening, the BBC Sport team and the rest of the British press arrived at the hotel. After a few drinks in the bar surrounded by John Motson, Trevor Brooking and the like, Jess and Joe went out for more Kobe nightlife. Their rationale being "if we're only here for a few nights, we may as well make the most of it!

On Sunday, Jess and Joe travelled to the Kobe Stadium in style, in official press transport. The atmosphere outside the ground was simply amazing. Queues to get in started at 8:00am, with the game not starting til 3:00pm. Thousands of Japanese fans were dressed up in England colours - faces painted, flags flying, and more David Beckham no.7 shirts than you could possibly imagine.

 

Before entering the stadium, Jess and Joe unfurled the small flag that had been signed by celebrities over the past couple of months, which will be auctioned off for the NSPCC after the tournament. As soon as they had the flag out, there was a mad rush of fans all trying to get a look and take photos. And then Joe thought it would be a good idea to point out Beckham's signiture.

Enough said.

There was a frenzied rush of hundreds of Japanese supporters all trying to touch the sacred signiture (and a fair few members of the British press we might add). For about 5 minutes, it didn't look like we were ever going to get the flag back. Well done Joe.

Eventually, Jess and Joe went to their seats (right on the half way line, along side stars from Brookside and various other far-travelling England supporters).

20 minutes before kick off, Jess and Joe were escorted down to pitch-side. After a few nervy minutes, Jess and Joe were down level with the players, the cameras, the officials and surrounded by noise... with the flag. As soon as the crowd realised what it was, they went mad.

Standing literally inches from the likes of David Seaman, Robbie Fowler and Sven- Goran Eriksson, and watching the team do their pre-game warm up, left Jess and Joe pretty much speachless. And then all of a sudden, someone came running toward them. David Beckam. The crowd managed new heights of hysteria.

Just before the team went back to the changing rooms, there was more - Jess and Joe were asked to present the flag to England's captain Michael Owen (in front of the whole stadium). A few poses for camera and a gigantic roar from the crowd later, he signed each of their England shirts (also part of the prize) and followed the team in to the changing room.

Watching Jess and Joe down there amongst all the action, it's pretty safe to say that Jess was more than a little pleased she had logged onto TheFA.com and left her message of support!

The game ended with Cameroon and England scoring two goals apiece, with Robbie Fowler heading home the equaliser in the very last minute. And more important than the result, injury-laden England came through unscathed.

Following the match, Jess swapped views on England's World Cup with Trevor Brooking and John Motson. Sunday night was their last night, but having had such a whirlwind past couple of days, they only manged an hour in the amusement arcades before retiring to bed.

An early start on Monday morning to catch an early flight back to London - arriving mid-afternoon. Three nights in Japan, watching England vs Cameroon, being pitch side and meeting Michael Owen - not bad for twenty seconds of signing your name on a big flag!


Report by Harry Bose.