Manchester United's David Beckham says he is looking forward to returning to the Boleyn Ground when England tackle Australia in tonight's international friendly.
Eastender Beckham, who grew up not a million miles away from the home of the Hammers in Leytonstone hasn't exactly been made to feel welcome whenever returning to his birthplace.After being sent off for England against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup Finals his first game back in England on away turf came at West Ham - a match where he was mercilessly taunted by the home fans throughout the 90 minutes for his petulant swipe at Diego Simeone.
In the years since that game Beckham - and his former 'Spice Girl' wife Victoria - have continued to come in for some choice abuse from the Hammers followers.
Yet amazingly the England captain, speaking ahead of tonight's game praised those same supporters, calling them the best in the land.
"It will be good to go to Upton Park," he said. "It was good to train there yesterday, take some corners and not get a little bit of stick!
"For me, the West Ham fans are the biggest and best English fans - and they've proved that over the years.
"West Ham were the first club who came in for me, and I always look out for the London teams. I live in Manchester but I'll always be a Londoner - no-one's going to change that."
The game kicks off at 8pm and is being broadcast live on Sky TV. West Ham's David James will start the game but is expected to be replaced at half-time, as England boss Sven Goran Eriksson has promised to play a different XI in each half.
Joe Cole is expected to play in the second period.
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