England beat the World today in a football match to remember World Cup winning football hero Alan Ball.

In a match billed as England vs The World showbiz personalities played alongside footballers like Jamie Redknapp, Paul Ince and Peter Shilton at Milton Keynes' Stadium:mk.

The England team won 4-2 after a match that was enlivened by comedy antics from boxer Frank Bruno as well as three goals and a penalty shot from the rest of the team.

Saints legend Ball, who died in April aged 61, was the youngest member of the England team that beat West Germany 41 years ago today.

Another Saints legend, Matt Le Tissier, plus Graeme Le Saux, Paul Merson and Les Ferdinand were on the team sheet joined by actor Danny Dyer, Life on Mars' John Simm, broadcaster Angus Deayton, rugby world cup winners Ben Cohen and Matt Dawson, Olympic Gold Medallist Darren Campbell, Radio 1's JK, musician David Gray, State of Play's David Morrissey, pop band McFly and Bruno.

Foreign players lining up against the England team included Italia 90 legend Toto Schillaci, Serie A striker Giuseppe Signori, German heroes Stephan Freund and Matthias Sammer, ex-Scotland Captain Richard Gough, former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland great John Aldridge and Everton and Wales keeper Neville Southall.

Before kick off the crowd were entertained by a pre-match game between the stars of Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Alan Ball's son, Jimmy, said the match was a ''great honour''.

''It's something my Dad would have loved to have played in and it's a great that all these players are turning out to pay tribute to him.

"I know a lot of his friends and colleagues are going to take to the pitch for both teams and many more will be watching along with all the supporters and TV audience.

"It's going to be a great day and a celebration of a great man".