LEGENDARY funnyman Sir Norman Wisdom has sent a message of support to the England football team ahead of tomorrow night's World Cup game at St James' Park.

Comic genius and self-confessed football nut Sir Norman is a massive fan of Newcastle United and has strong ties with Albania, England's opponents in tomorrow's crucial match.

A childhood Arsenal fan and one-time director of Brighton, the 86-year-old became a Magpies supporter because of an enduring wartime friendship with Geordie squaddie Pat Dickinson.

He has been a regular visitor to St James' over the years, although prior commitments will prevent him from attending tomorrow's match.

The fact that World Cup minnows Albania are England's opponents has thrilled Sir Norman, as he is a national hero there.

His comedies were the only western films allowed in the country during the oppressive Communist regime and he is known there as Pitkin, the name of a character he played in several movies.

He received a rapturous reception when he paraded before the crowd in trademark cloth cap at half-time in the corresponding fixture between the two teams, in Tirana, earlier this year.

England won that game 3-1 and, despite his Albanian ties, Sir Norman said he was backing the team to repeat the feat as they bid to qualify for the World Cup.

He said: "I would like to send the England team my very best wishes for an enjoyable game, and hope they win."

Sir Norman was an accomplished player in his youth. Described as a nippy outside right in the Royal Corps of Signals team, he displayed his skills in a classic scene from his film Up in the World.

A genuine all-rounder, he was also boxing champion of the whole Army, a strong swimmer and cross-country runner, and an accomplished ice-skater.