Inside England's World Cup HQ - music, messages, and mood in the camp

Inside England's World Cup HQ - music, messages, and mood in the camp England's World Cup HQ has 'postcards' from the players' childhoods - with the message that 'every story starts somewhere' - and the map of England shows where every member of the squad started their footballing journey Gareth Southgate famously wrote a 'Dear England' letter to fans to say what the country meant to him. FA chiefs have decorated the team World Cup HQ with postcards from the players' childhoods - with the message that 'every story starts somewhere'. Their map of England shows where every member of the squad started their footballing journey. The Mirror spoke to the players' former coaches and teachers who paid tribute to them, expressing their pride as they prepared to play on the greatest stage of all. Many grew up and played in teams near each other during their school days. Jordan Henderson, playing in his sixth major tournament, grew up on Wearside, as did team mate Jordan Pickford. Henderson revealed they were bonding by watching matches together and playing games like Imposter. 'We have an app with Imposter on it and we play that on the bus to training," he said. "The imposter needs to pretend that he has the word that we have all got. "There is a good vibe, it is a really good environment, a really good culture in the group." And now they "cannot wait to get started". Keepers Dean Henderson and James Trafford both hail from Cumbria; Dean at Whitehaven Miners, and James Trafford at Cockermouth FC. School friends and childhood rivals Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers joked about playing against each other while at school in the Midlands. The map shows Bellingham, from Stourbridge, was a little star for local side Hayley Primary School while Rogers, of Halesowen, first played for Halas Hawks JFC. Both later represented England in the junior ranks, Bellingham played in an older age group, such was his prodigious talent. Dan Burn, the giant Newcastle Utd defender, admitted that he was enjoying every moment of his first World Cup at the age of 34, after starting his career at Blyth Spartans. Fellow Geordie Elliot Anderson, 23, from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, was another great talent discovered at the Wallsend Boys Club on Tyneside which nurtured Alan Shearer and Michael Carrick. Former Merseyside rivals Anthony Gordon, once of Everton, played for Whiston Juniors while Jarell Quansah, the former Liverpool player who was at Woolston Rovers. Man Utd's Kobbie Mainoo (Cheadle Gatley JFC) and Marcus Rashford (Fletcher Moss Rangers) and City's Nico O'Reilly (Moston Tigers) celebrate their Mancunian roots. Jordan Henderson and Jordan Pickford both came up through the ranks at Sunderland, Henderson first played for Fulwell Juniors, and Pickford for Washington Envelopes. The England players enjoyed 24C (75F) temperatures during their training session on Sunday - with music played over a giant speaker. 'Ambitionz Az A Ridah' by 2Pac rang out including the line: 'Let's Get Ready to Rumble'. Then came 'Rollin' with the Homies' by Coolio and the words: "Nighttime is the right time, a-dynamite, we're going to have a good time tonight." Arsenal star Noni Madueke often serves as "DJ" for Arsenal and hosted a night in a London club after they clinched the title following Manchester City's 1-1 draw against Bournemouth. His work as a "music selector and playlist curator" has been highlighted in the past, showcasing his favourite tracks and locker room anthems. The keepers Jordan Henderson, Dean Henderson and James Trafford were out before the players as the music played. Kevin Ball, 61, who coached both Jordan Pickford and Jordan Henderson at Sunderland, said: "I just allowed them to express themselves. "I have nothing but admiration for them, their families and also the football club." He added: "When Jordan Henderson was an apprentice at Sunderland, and they all had to do jobs cleaning the changing rooms; you had to teach kids the responsibility, and they had to clean a carpet downstairs. No one could do it properly, and yet he did it and when I asked him how, and he had borrowed a Hoover from the cleaner. "He should be respected for what he has achieved. People criticise him online, but they do not know the person or the qualities he possesses. Social Media means the negative voices are heard and they do not understand him or know him as a human being; do they really know him? They don't. "I always tell him: 'Do what you do all the time and do it well'. I saw his dad Brian about a month ago; I have not spoken to Jordan for a little while. But I always send him a message for big tournaments, he is such a lovely lad." Jordan Pickford's former PE teacher Jim Welch first met him when he was just four years old, and follows his career avidly. Jim, of Chester-le-Street, who taught the star at St Robert's in Washington Tyne and Wear, said: "When I played, I could not hit the ball that hard and I'm surprised by how good he is with his passing. "He has real self confidence now and is much calmer. He is fearless. He is a top professional, and very down to earth - we are all so proud of him and his family." Bellingham, 22, and Rogers joked how they were like brothers after growing up together in the Midlands, playing together and against each other at junior level. Rogers, 23, called his team mate his 'little big brother' while Jude said: "There is that element of self-confidence where people from Birmingham, West Midlands, Stourbridge, West Bromwich, Halesowen, everyone has the swagger and fancies themselves at what they do, which is important. “It’s a perfect description of our relationship. The manager has made it clear when he has spoken that we are playing for the same position and I know that has eased off as he’s seen me playing in more positions and Morgs playing in more positions. "But I honestly have no ill-feeling when he is playing and I’m not playing and that is a representative of where we are from."