Around two thousand fans greeted the team when they arrived back at their Awaji Island headquarters following Saturday's 2-1 Quarter Final defeat against Brazil.

Beckham said: "The fans have been absolutely magnificent from the minute we arrived in Japan and we will never forget the support they have given us during this World Cup.

"Wherever we have travelled, they have been with us and we would also like to thank Japan as a nation for the way they have supported us.

"It has felt as if we have almost been the home team and it has been fantastic to walk out to every game and see the stadium filled with the red and white of England.

"Now they have turned out in many numbers to say farewell to us and once again I can only say thank you and they are big reason why many of us will be coming back here."

 

English fans have also been received effusive praise from FIFA for their behaviour during the World Cup.

A statement from Lennart Johansson, chairman of the World Cup Organising Committee said: "On behalf of FIFA, I would like to compliment the English fans for their behaviour, not just last night but through this whole World Cup.

"We always hear loudly enough when fans do not behave so let's make plenty of noise this time that their behaviour has been perfect.

"They showed that real football fans know how to enjoy the game, support their team, celebrate when they win and take defeat when they lose.

"They also showed that problems caused at some matches are caused not by fans, but by troublemakers who are not interested in the game itself but just want to give a bad reputation to the genuine football lovers.'' "Thank you to those fans who have re-asserted the positive image of our game, but also those from other countries who have helped to make this a wonderful World Cup."