But don't mention the war lads.

The Germans can never seem to shake the off legacy of the two world wars and a recent portrait by artist Michael Browne is all set to open up old wounds in the run up to the World Cup.

The portrait of footballers Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand which will apparently be used on T-shirts will also feature an image of Winston Churchill, who led Britain to victory in the Second World War.

Churchill is there as he sums up the bulldog spirit of England,' said Michael. 'I’m aware that putting him in the picture could be seen as provocative. But when I had the idea I did not know it was government and FA policy to stamp on anything which could be seen as anti-German. Why should we snuff out English identity? Look, I’m mixed-race but I’m English.' Rooney is one of our best players and Rio Ferdinand is mixed-race like me.

Last month Brian Barwick, the FA’s chief executive, criticised anti-German chanting by fans. Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand were said to be aware they would be pictured with Churchill and were happy to co-operate. Amazingly, both are due to appear with the England squad in a series of 'Don't Mention the War' ads in the run-up to the finals.

Ian Barnett, 41, of Bishop's Stortford, Herts, got it right when he told the Daily Mirror: 'We all know Churchill was a great hero but what has he got to do with a football tournament in 2006? If England fans go to Germany with Churchill on their T-shirts what sort of message does that send? The FA is right in appealing to fans to stop their anti-German songs. Let's concentrate on the football, not the politics.'

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