South Africans can look forward to the enthralling prospect of some of the biggest names in English football bringing their talents to the Rainbow Nation later this month.

The Football Association is sending a team of ambassadors to play a charity match against the South African Masters at King's Park Stadium in Durban on 28th June in memory of the 43 fans who died in the Ellis Park disaster on 11thApril.

Executive Director David Davies spoke of the sadness with which The F.A. learned of the disaster in Johannesburg, as well as of other similar tragedies in Africa in recent months, saying: "Our sympathies go out to all the families of those who lost their lives. We have been in contact with FIFA to offer our support to South Africa and the other national associations affected, to share the lessons we ourselves have learned in the not too distant past."

The team of over-35s contains several internationally familiar names. Ian Wright, Terry Butcher, Peter Beardsley, Chris Waddle and Gary Mabbutt, who between them amassed a total of 247 England caps, will be amongst the 16-man squad which will arrive in Durban on Tuesday, 26th June.

As well as facing the South African Masters, the players will also make goodwill visits to see youth football teams in Durban and observe the skills of local schoolchildren in Soweto, while the timing of the tour will also coincide with the British Council's Football Nation Exhibition in Johannesburg and the South African Football Association's 10th Anniversary Dinner.

The game in the 52,000 capacity stadium will provide a fitting climax to the tour, with the proceeds going to the Ellis Park Disaster Fund and to the Nelson Mandela Children's fund,  funding memory of the children who died in the incident.

"We believe that this match will demonstrate our support to SAFA as well as our respect towards those who died," concluded Davies, who will be among the 25-strong F.A. party due to depart from London Heathrow on 25th June.

The trip forms part of the ever-closer football relationship between England and South Africa. SAFA CEO Danny Jordaan has visited The F.A. on three occasions in the last six months to discuss a range of issues including administration, refereeing, development and training, and safety and security. The F.A. also has close ties with other southern African countries within the framework of its International Development Programme and the UEFA-CAF Meridian Project.

For more information contact International Relations Co-ordinator Kim Fisher on +44-207 7454703 or +44-7966 490 320 or Andrin Cooper in The F.A. Press Office on tel. +44-207 745 4718 or mobile +44-7951 577110.

THE ENGLAND SQUAD

Viv Anderson

Age 44. This stylish full-back was the first black player to be capped by England - against Czechoslovakia at Wembley in 1978. He won 30 caps altogether. He had 10 years at Nottingham Forest and later played for Arsenal and Manchester United.

Peter Beardsley

Age 40. A striker/midfielder who won 59 England caps and starred in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, acting as a perfect foil for Gary Lineker. He captained England against Israel in 1988. Served Newcastle, Liverpool and Everton amongst others.

John Beresford

Age 34. A speedy and tenacious left-back who won England caps at Schoolboy, Youth and "B" levels. He helped Portsmouth to the F.A. Cup Semi-Finals in 1992 and then signed for Newcastle. He finished his professional career with Southampton.

Bob Bolder

Age 42. A goalkeeper who began with his local club, non-League Dover, and then played almost 200 League games for Sheffield Wednesday. He had a couple of years with the Liverpool squad before spells at Sunderland and Charlton.

Mark Bright

Age 39. A prolific striker with Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday, amongst others, who enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Ian Wright in his Palace days. He is an F.A."Ambassador" who featured in the recent goodwill trip to Albania.

Terry Butcher

Age 42. A giant central defender who won 77 England caps from 1980 to 1990 and captained the side seven times. He had ten years at Ipswich, winning the UEFA Cup in 1981, and later played for Glasgow Rangers in Scotland. Now a TV pundit.

Mark Hateley

Age 39. A top-class striker like his father Tony, he began at Coventry and later served Portsmouth, AC Milan (Italy), Monaco (France) and Glasgow Rangers. He won 32 England caps and scored a memorable headed goal against Brazil in Rio in 1984.

Steve Hodge

Age 38. A midfielder with stamina and skill, he won 24 England caps and played in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where he was involved in the build-up to Maradona's infamous goal. He played most of his League football at Nottingham Forest, but had spells with Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

Gary Mabbutt

Age 39. After three and a half years at Bristol Rovers, this versatile player was snapped up by Tottenham Hotspur in 1982. He won the F.A. Cup with Spurs nine years later. Capped 16 times by England at senior level, he also captained the Under-21s.

Alvin Martin

Age 42. He comes from the Liverpool area but spent all of his career as a professional footballer with London clubs West Ham United and Leyton Orient. He appeared in 469 League games for the "Hammers" and won 17 England caps at centre-half.

Paul Parker

Age 37. A Londoner who spent almost ten years with capital clubs Fulham and QPR before a transfer to Manchester United in 1991. He won 19 England caps as a right-back and started six matches during the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Nigel Spackman

Age 40. An all-action midfielder who had three years with Third Division AFC Bournemouth before Chelsea signed him in 1983. Five years on he was playing for Liverpool in the F.A. Cup Final. Now manager of First Division club Barnsley.

Chris Waddle

Age 40. Newcastle spotted this hugely talented winger playing as a youngster for non-League Tow Law and within five years he was in the England team. He won 62 caps and featured in all seven matches at Italia 90. Also starred in France for Marseille.

Paul Walsh

Age 38. He was a teenage scoring sensation with Charlton, his first League club, and became the subject of big-money moves to Luton, Liverpool and Tottenham. He won five England caps in the early '80s and finished his professional career at Portsmouth.

Mark Walters

Age 37. This skilful winger is still playing League football, having featured in Bristol Rovers' Second Division team in season 2000-2001. He has been capped at Senior, "B", Under-21, Youth and Schoolboy levels. He began his career at Aston Villa and also spent time at Glasgow Rangers.

Ian Wright

Age 37. He was nearly 22 when finally breaking into pro' football with Crystal Palace. He scored 89 League goals for Palace, plus two in the 1990 F.A. Cup Final, and became an Arsenal legend after his transfer in '91. He won a total of 33 England caps.

TEAM STAFF

Team Doctor Dr John Crane

Team Physio Alan Smith

Kit Man Mark Simkin

Security Officer Doug Hopkins

DELEGATION

F.A. International Committee Rep Dave Richards

F. A. Executive Director David Davies

P.F.A. Executive Paul Allen

F.A. International Relations Co-ordinator Kim Fisher

F.A. Media Officer Andrin Cooper