WHEN ST MARY'S stadium welcomes the England team tonight, it will also be the scene of an emotional return to the UK for members of North Korea's famous 1966 World Cup team.

The team - there are seven surviving members - has never been back to the West since their nation's first foray in the international competition.

The players hit headlines around the world by causing what is still regarded as one of the biggest World Cup upsets ever.

The football legends are now the subject of a TV documentary and will be the Football Association's guests of honour at the England v Macedonia game at St Mary's.

They will also be given a tour of the city and Southampton Docks.

While the winners of the 1966 tournament are not in doubt, what many may not remember is the North Koreans' triumphant maiden attempt at the competition.

The unfancied World Cup virgins beat red-hot favourites Italy 1-0, after losing to the USSR and drawing with Chile, to progress to the quarter-finals.

Italians still often refer to shock football defeats as "another Korea".

But, the Koreans, dream ended at the quarter-final stage. Despite going 3-0 up against Portugal at one point in the quarter- final, the mighty Eusebio turned on the style to score four goals and send them crashing out 3-5.

That was the last anybody heard from the team from what was then, as now, one of the most secretive countries on Earth.

Until, that is, documentary film-maker Daniel Gordon wangled permission from the North Korean authorities to find the team and bring them on a tour of Britain. The side still have fond memories of their time in the UK and the hospitality they received from the people of Middlesbrough, their World Cup base, remains fresh in their minds.

"We knew Britain had participated in the Korean War," said Pak Doo Ik, scorer of the all-important goal against Italy.

"We thought them to be the enemy but they welcomed us. They clapped us. We never thought our national flag would be flying in England. I am convinced the attitude of the Middlesbrough crowd affected our games."

Film-maker Daniel said: "You can't begin to say how excited they are at coming to Britain. They are really looking forward to experiencing the UK. I think they are going to be really impressed with the new ground and with Southampton. They'll enjoy it all."

Game of Their Lives will be screened by the BBC in the New Year.