Posh Spice picked to inspire England squad

Football bosses are hoping to inspire the England squad to victory with Posh Spice CDs, it was disclosed today.

The singer’s album, called simply Victoria Beckham, has been sent to help the team unwind as part of an entertainment package - along with her husband David Beckham’s video game.

They are included in a kit of 400 CDs, books, DVDs and games being despatched to Japan by the official entertainment supplier Amazon.co.uk.

The company has worked with a sports psychologist to develop playlists of titles aimed at producing optimum performance.

Sven Goran Eriksson Classical Collection CD is among those recommended to help the team relax.

Also included in the package are CDs by Oasis, US act The Strokes and Welsh band Stereophonics.

An unlikely choice of book is former Ofsted chief inspector Chris Woodhead’s book Class War, which chronicles his view of the education system.

Paul Barber, marketing director for the Football Association, said: ‘‘In the past we’ve found players have had a lot of time on their hands in the run up to and in-between games. Sitting around waiting to play or train can sometimes increase the team’s nerves but we now have the ammunition to keep players entertained and relaxed throughout the campaign.

‘‘They will be both physically and mentally fit when it comes to running out for their country.’’

Here are some of the choices being sent to the Far East with the team:

* CDs - Swing When You’re Winning, Robbie Williams; Just Enough Education to Perform, Stereophonics; Fever, Kylie Minogue; No Angel, Dido; The Optimist, Turin Brakes; Wicked Game, Chris Isaak; About A Boy, Badly Drawn Boy.

* DVDs - Airplane!; Ali G - Bling Bling; Blade Runner; Exorcist - Director’s Cut; Fight Club; Get Carter.

* Books - Atonement, Ian McEwan; Billy, Pamela Stephenson; Blessed: My Autobiography, George Best; Down Under, Bill Bryson; The Amber Spyglass, Philip Pullman; Class War, Chris Woodhead; Kiss And Make-up, Gene Simmons.