It’s confirmed!  Local football fans will have the chance to witness Fabio Capello’s England Team in action against Francisco Maturana’s Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly international in Port of Spain on June 1 in one of the key events to celebrate the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation's Centennial.

Special Advisor to the TTFF Jack Warner confirmed it at a media last Tuesday

The idea of the game came about over two years ago but it was only last year that serious thought was given and discussions began between the TTFF and the FA.

Officials from the FA were in Trinidad earlier this month to hold meetings with the TTFF and they also toured and inspected the National Stadium as well as visited potential hotels that will be used by the incoming contingent of English players, officials, family members and visiting fans.

Warner also confirmed that T&T greats Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy, both still playing top flight football in the United Kingdom, will make guest appearances in the match. Both men were members of the T&T 2006 World Cup squad which lost 2-0 to England in Nuremberg. Yorke played but Latapy did not.

“We believe that these two players played a pivotal role in helping T&T get to the 2006 World Cup,” Warner said. “It is our way of saying thanks to them,” he added. “This is very exciting times for the country.”

Simon Johnson, the director of Public Affairs of the English FA, said that England is pleased to be part of the centennial celebrations.

He did make mention though  he pointed that the safety of Capello’s men would be vital and there were concerns over the state of the pitch at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

“We have to discuss the state of the pitch and unless steps are taken to improve the standard that field is not suitable to fit the occasion,” said Johnson.

Johnson also mentioned that England will be coming here with the strongest possible squad available.

Warner explained yesterday that the venue for the match is posing a problem because “they (England) have advised that it is dangerous for their players”.

“It is no secret ... the field at the stadium is in very poor condition. We will be going to view the field at Queen’s Park Oval and if that is acceptable, we may have to play the match there instead.”

Officials of the English team have also refused to practice at the stadium and Warner said that the artificial turf at Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya has been made available for their training sessions.

Discussions have also been held with regard to the English training sessions, one on the penultimate day before the game which will be open to the media and public and then the one on the eve of the encounter which will be a closed-door session. There will also be a clinic for youngsters and the underprivileged   involving members of the team.

The FA will also give preference to their loyal traveling fans and will do the same to traveling media correspondents which they expect will be in excess of 150