England fans pay their respects to the 2million victims of World War Two's Battle of Stalingrad ahead of England's World Cup game in the historic city tonight

  • Fans have laid a wreath in memory of the Soviet war dead in moving ceremony in central Volgograd today
  • The memorial was to honour the two million military and civilian deaths during the Battle of Stalingrad
  • The city was named Stalingrad after dictator Josef Stalin but changed to Volgograd in 1961
  • The ceremony took place ahead of England's opening World Cup game against Tunisia tonight at 7pm
  • More than 2,000 fans have travelled to the Russian city for the Three Lions opening Group G clash 

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England football fans have this morning laid a wreath in memory of the Soviet war dead in a ceremony to honour the two million victims of the Battle of Stalingrad.

Two supporters, James Lockett and Billy Grant, were among an official party who paid tribute at the memorial in central Volgograd today.

The ceremony took place ahead of England's opening World Cup game against Tunisia tonight at 7pm as 2,000 fans flooded into the city.

More than a dozen England fans turned out to watch the service at the city's Hall of Military Glory, in the heart of the Mamayev Kurgan memorial park commemorating the Battle of Stalingrad.

The city, named after former dictator Josef Stalin, was renamed in 1961 as part of a programme of de-stalinisation by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev to try and reduce his 'cult of personality.' 

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James Locket (left) Harpreet Robertson (centre)  and Billy Grant (right) attend a wreath laying at the Eternal Flame Monument at Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd

James Locket (left) Harpreet Robertson (centre)  and Billy Grant (right) attend a wreath laying at the Eternal Flame Monument at Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd

England fan James Lockett, (left) Harpreet Robertson, centre, alongside chairman of the FA Greg Clarke (second from right) and British Deputy Ambassador, Lindsay Skoll (far right) attend the wreath laying at the Eternal Flame Monument at Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd, Russia

England fan James Lockett, (left) Harpreet Robertson, centre, alongside chairman of the FA Greg Clarke (second from right) and British Deputy Ambassador, Lindsay Skoll (far right) attend the wreath laying at the Eternal Flame Monument at Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd, Russia

The group also included British deputy ambassador Lindsay Skoll and FA chairman Greg Clarke.

Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate has pointed to the 'perspective' the war-ravaged history of Volgograd, which was formerly known as Stalingrad, had given his team ahead of the World Cup opener against Tunisia on Monday. 

Volgograd is the site of one of the bloodiest battles in history, with estimates suggesting the number of troops killed, captured or wounded on both sides totalled nearly two million.

Historians believe the Soviet defence of the city, on the banks of the Volga river, was a turning point for the Allies against Hitler's forces in the Second World War.

England fan Billy Grant stands in silence next to the FA Chairman Greg Clarke at the moving ceremony today

England fan Billy Grant stands in silence next to the FA Chairman Greg Clarke at the moving ceremony today

A tribute on the wreath laid by Mr Clarke at the memorial this morning included lines from For The Fallen by Laurence Binyon

A tribute on the wreath laid by Mr Clarke at the memorial this morning included lines from For The Fallen by Laurence Binyon

Chairman of the FA Greg Clarke (right) lays a wreath alongside fan Billy Grant in memory of Soviet war dead at the city's Hall of Military Glory

Chairman of the FA Greg Clarke (right) lays a wreath alongside fan Billy Grant in memory of Soviet war dead at the city's Hall of Military Glory

FA Chairman Mr Clarke alongside Billy Grant during the wreath laying ceremony at the Mamayev Kurgan World War Two memorial complex

FA Chairman Mr Clarke alongside Billy Grant during the wreath laying ceremony at the Mamayev Kurgan World War Two memorial complex

A huge monument known as The Motherland Calls looms on the hill overlooking the Volgograd Arena and the memorial park is a short walk away from the stadium.

The city is also twinned with Coventry, after women from the Midlands city wrote to express support during the war.

Ms Skoll wrote in a book of commemoration: 'May our bonds between the people of the UK and Russia remain forever strong and enduring.'

She said: 'As you know the links between the UK and this great city are strong and enduring.

England fan Billy Grant with Tunisia fans at in Volgograd today. Both sets of fans are hoping for a first World Cup win tonight

England fan Billy Grant with Tunisia fans at in Volgograd today. Both sets of fans are hoping for a first World Cup win tonight

England fans Harry and Ireen, from Norwich, with a Tunisian fan in Volgograd. The atmosphere was good-natured this morning

England fans Harry and Ireen, from Norwich, with a Tunisian fan in Volgograd. The atmosphere was good-natured this morning

Security has been ramped in the city with officers patrolling the railway station as fans flood into the city ahead of the game

Security has been ramped in the city with officers patrolling the railway station as fans flood into the city ahead of the game

Two Russian fans mingle with England fans, with one holding the England flag aloft in the Volgograd fan zone

Two Russian fans mingle with England fans, with one holding the England flag aloft in the Volgograd fan zone

England football fans wave the Cross of St George as they arrive at the Volgograd railway station in Volgograd

England football fans wave the Cross of St George as they arrive at the Volgograd railway station in Volgograd

'They were forged during the Second World War, with shared experience of destruction and devastation and immense bravery, and started by 900 women in Coventry, who sent messages of support and solidarity to their sisters in Stalingrad.'

Ms Skoll spoke about shared values between the two nations.

And she added: 'Given the immense suffering of Volgograd and the pivotal part it played in the route towards victory I think it's only fitting that the 2018 World Cup should have Volgograd as one of its host cities, after all Volgograd today plays host to people from all over the world including Great Britain, who are here in peace and with a common purpose.'

The Queen Mother was made an honorary citizen of the southern Russian city.

England fans (left to right) Tom Holland from the South West, Peter Gartrell, from Plymouth and Richard Holland from the South West, arrive at the Fanfest in Volgograd

England fans (left to right) Tom Holland from the South West, Peter Gartrell, from Plymouth and Richard Holland from the South West, arrive at the Fanfest in Volgograd

England fan Sean Tansey, from Bury, celebrates with a pint as he arrives at the Fanfest in Volgograd

England fan Sean Tansey, from Bury, celebrates with a pint as he arrives at the Fanfest in Volgograd

Fan Alex Waters, from the Midlands, holds a St George's flag aloft as he prepares to watch the game in Russia

Fan Alex Waters, from the Midlands, holds a St George's flag aloft as he prepares to watch the game in Russia

Mr Grant, a Brentford fan who lives in north London, said he was 'very honoured' to be representing England at the event.

He said: 'Obviously Russian soldiers that were killed in the great battle - it means a lot to them, it means a lot to us.

'I'm into football, you're into football but when you have an event like this you realise it's more than just football.

'People have given up their lives and for us we need to pay respect to the people that have done that because that was a very important moment in World War Two.'

What happened at the Battle of Stalingrad?

The Battle of Stalingrad raged from August 23 1942 to February 2 1943 and was one of the bloodiest in history.

Historians believe that the Soviet defence of the city, on the banks of the Volga river, was a turning point for the Allies against Hitler's forces in the Second World War.  

Estimates suggest that the number of civilian and military casualties - the dead, missing and injured - totalled two million.

Hitler believed at the time that the Russians were close to defeat, so ordered his generals to lead a push on on the city, then called Stalingrad, after Russia's dictator Josef Stalin.

Estimates suggest that the number of civilian and military casualties - the dead, missing and injured - totalled two million

Estimates suggest that the number of civilian and military casualties - the dead, missing and injured - totalled two million

But Stalin also gave orders to his armies that 'his' city must be held at any cost which set the scene for one of the bloodiest battles of all time. 

The first German air attacks killed between 10,000 and 40,000 people — almost as many as died in the entire London blitz.

The Russians held a perimeter 30 miles by 18, which shrank relentlessly, and each night up to three thousand Russian wounded were removed, with thousands more being brought in.

Both sides were short of food and water. The few surviving civilians suffered terribly.  Some soldiers were reduced to cannibalism in order to stay alive in the ruins of the city as the mercury plunged to -40C.

The battle came to an end on January 31, 1943 when the German General Field Marshall Paulus surrendered.

Of the 110,000 Germans who surrendered, only 5,000 would survive Stalin's gulags to return to a defeated Germany. 

The battle cost the German army a quarter of everything it possessed by way of material - guns, tanks and munitions, and it was a defeat from which it never recovered.

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Hundreds of fans have arrived in Volgograd but told how they felt outnumbered by their Tunisian opponents in the carnival atmosphere.    

The vocal Tunisian support even prompted one Tunisian TV interviewer to ask an England fan: 'Do you feel lonely?'

The travelling support is expected to be lower than in previous tournaments, with fan violence, high costs and large distances all being cited by supporters as concerns. 

Paul Dubberley, 59, from Aldridge near Walsall, in the West Midlands, said: 'I don't think there's many England fans here looking around, we're a bit outnumbered.'

England fans take 21-hour train ride to first game 

Dedicated England fans have spent hours travelling to support their nation at the World Cup in Russia.

From multiple flights through several countries and overnight train journeys in cramped compartments to cycling from the UK, there has been no shortage of effort by the English support.

Among those who boarded a train to cover the 600 miles to Volgograd from Moscow were Stockport pair Angus Lawless and Luke Fern.

After a journey time of nearly 21 hours and no alcohol available, Mr Fern said: 'I've got to say, it wasn't the greatest.

Angus Lawless, 23 (right) and Luke Fern, 22, from Stockport who spent 21 hours travelling to the game by train

Angus Lawless, 23 (right) and Luke Fern, 22, from Stockport who spent 21 hours travelling to the game by train

'It was a laugh, of sorts. There was a Charlton fan who was a freelance photographer and he was going up and down the train taking photos of all of us.

'But we were all looking terrible because of lack of sleep, it was boiling hot on there, no air con.

'There weren't even any drink on there.

'You've got to do what you've got to do to get here, don't you.'

Mr Lawless, 23, 'It wasn't too bad. It was long, don't get me wrong, but the beds were reasonably comfortable. 

'It's not the most interesting scenery but what can you expect? It's the middle of Russia.'

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Sean Tansey, 45, from Bury, said: 'Last night we walked along down to the stadium and back and we didn't see any English.

'The night before a World Cup game it was unbelievable.

'Unless we were in the wrong part of town. We went into bars all the way down and there was nothing. In fact I like it that there's a smaller group.'

Mr Tansey said he had received a warm welcome in the country after travelling for 26 hours to get there.

'I tell you what I love this place,' he said.

'The people are fantastic - they were friendly, welcoming, helpful. The language is a proper barrier and they help us with everything going out of their way.'

And he predicted: 'I think we'll win, don't think it'll be easy but 2-0.'

Fellow fan Heidi Ellis, 51, who is originally from Hatfield, in Hertfordshire, said some fans may have been put off by the costs and logistics of the trip.

She said: 'I'm sad there aren't more English here but we'll be in the stadium cheering the boys on. I think maybe to be honest it's quite expensive.

'I don't think it was that easy to sort out your visa ID.

'You had to buy your ticket before you got your entry into the country. You're a bit worried, say they don't let you in.

'Personally I think people are going to be sad now they haven't come.'

Alex Houlding, 25, arrived on Monday after a 23-hour train journey from Moscow.

He travelled with friends Georgios Pilakoutas, 25, from Nether Edge in Sheffield and Nick Hilton, 25, from Chelmsford, in Essex.

Mr Houlding, also from Chelmsford, said he feared England's 12th man could be out-shouted.

'We haven't seen a lot of England fans around and we've seen a hell of a lot of Tunisian fans so potentially,' he said.

But he said he did not fear any disorder among the fans.

'All the people we've encountered so far have been really friendly,' he said.

'We're keeping an eye out all the same but we haven't seen anything and I'm not expecting any trouble.'

Around 3,000 Tunisia fans will outnumber the Three Lions support in the 45,568-capacity stadium, but fan Pete Courts vowed: 'We'll make as much noise as 50,000'

Around 3,000 Tunisia fans will outnumber the Three Lions support in the 45,568-capacity stadium, but fan Pete Courts vowed: 'We'll make as much noise as 50,000'

Meanwhile England fans are expected to leave work early tonight as World Cup fever grips the nation with millions heading to the pub for the opening game.

Rush hour chaos will begin earlier than usual as supporters race home or out for drinks at heir local to watch the clash with Tunisia which kicks off at 7pm.

Experts predicted that Britons will drink 14million extra pints at the pub, with the British Beer and Pub Association estimating a £42million boost to the economy. 

Only 2,500 fans have travelled to the Russian city of Volgograd for tonight's Group G clash, with many choosing to stay at home amid fears over violence from football hooligans.

Supermarkets in the city have also banned the sales of alcohol in glass bottles as authorities attempt to clampdown on any outbreak of violence ahead of kick off

Supermarkets in the city have also banned the sales of alcohol in glass bottles as authorities attempt to clampdown on any outbreak of violence ahead of kick off

Around 3,000 Tunisia fans will outnumber the Three Lions support in the 45,568-capacity stadium, but fan Pete Courts vowed: 'We'll make as much noise as 50,000.'

Security is tight in the city, with the few England fans that have made the journey vowing to make it an atmosphere to remember. 

Supermarkets in the city have also banned the sales of alcohol in glass bottles as authorities attempt to clampdown on any outbreak of violence ahead of kick off.

Photos of shop shelves showed the entire alcohol aisle taped off.   

Only 2,500 fans have travelled to the Russian city of Volgograd for tonight's Group G clash. High prices and fears of violence have kept others away

Only 2,500 fans have travelled to the Russian city of Volgograd for tonight's Group G clash. High prices and fears of violence have kept others away

England fans  in Volgograd, with some were enjoying the beer at the Harat's Pub in the historic Russian city

England fans in Volgograd, with some were enjoying the beer at the Harat's Pub in the historic Russian city

The AA said that the rush hour will begin 'much earlier' with the roads and rail networks quieter than usual between 7pm and 9pm. 

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA told The Sun: 'We will see the usual rush-hour conditions much earlier in the day as people try to get a good spot. 

'The fixture list has been quite kind, but people who usually finish at 5pm or 6pm will create a spike in traffic as they down-tools early. 

'We anticipate the roads will be quiet between 7pm and 9pm because most people will be glued to game.'

The AA said that the rush hour will begin 'much earlier' with the roads and rail networks quieter than usual between 7pm and 9pm

The AA said that the rush hour will begin 'much earlier' with the roads and rail networks quieter than usual between 7pm and 9pm

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), told the paper: 'We've been helped by the very convenient kick-off time.

'We predict that many more people will go to the pub because they might not make it home in time for the game. 

It means lots of people will also grab some dinner at the pub, giving an extra boost to our industry.    

'Pubs are the best place to watch football anyway, and lots of places which don't normally show it will be making special arrangements for the World Cup. 

The BBPA said that the pub will be a big winner from the kick off times for the England group games, with the game against Belgium also after work, and Panama at the weekend.

Ms Simmonds added: 'When it comes to watching England at the World Cup, only being at the game itself can compare with being in the pub. 

'Millions of England fans will be going to the pub to cheer on the team with their friends, which is both great for the local pub and great for the England team. 

Let's hope the England team do us proud!'

According to the Football Supporters' Federation, just 2,100 tickets were sold to England fans for the opening game.

In comparison, 5,000 England fans travelled to Manaus for the opening match of the Brazil 2014 tournament.

In 2010, more than 7,000 supporters went to the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, South Africa, to watch their side's opening World Cup clash.

And 50,000 travelled to Frankfurt in 2006 for England's match against Paraguay. Yesterday afternoon there were just a few England fans milling around Volgograd's city centre. 

Despite the tensions, England fans in Volgograd, which is 560 miles south of Moscow, last night said they were looking forward to the tournament.

England manager Gareth Southgate has paid tribute to the fans, saying: 'There's been a lot of stories leading into the tournament that have put people off coming.

'We're really grateful for the people who are travelling, it's a huge lift for us to see England fans in the stadium.'

Retired taxi firm owner Tom Trueman is attending his sixth World Cup having seen Bobby Moore lift the trophy at Wembley in 1966, and said he had 'no second thoughts' about it.

Warehouse manager Paul Elliott, 46, from Coventry, West Midlands – which is twinned with Volgograd – said: 'People said we were mad to come here with the threat of trouble.

'But I'm here with a beer in my hand and a smile on my face.' 

Nobby Robb, 58, from Liskeard, Cornwall, told the Daily Mirror he has a ticket for every England game, all the way to the final if they should make it.

'I've booked flights, accommodation, and spent 1,500 dollars on the tickets alone,' he said. 'I will be here as long as England are here.'