West Ham United defender Jonathan Spector was happy to meet with Hammers fan Barack Obama, the US president.

The most powerful man in the world is a West Ham supporter but is urging his United States team to have England fans crying in their beer on Saturday.

Spector revealed the President had said the nation was right behind them in a private audience at the White House just before leaving for South Africa.

Spector, 24, said: "It was a big thrill.

"He wished us well. I guess 10-15 years ago it would have been unlikely that the US soccer team would have had a meeting with the President. He is a big sports fan.

"He gave us a brief speech and told us the whole nation was behind us."

Former president Bill Clinton was also in on the surprise briefing.