The Express and Star is giving football fans a treat with a website dedicated entirely to the World Cup.

Express and Star Back Home - which takes its title from the 1970s World Cup song of the same name - is the first to be developed by the publisher Midlands News Association's new digital arm, MNA Digital.

It includes video bulletins with exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in English football, including Bryan Robson and Paul Ince, giving their views on the tournament and the England squad as well as their own memories of competing on football's biggest stage.

Legendary strikers Cyrille Regis and Don Goodman have also appeared for some lively discussions on footballing matters in the Back Home studio, set up at the Express and Star's Wolverhampton head office.

The interviews are being fronted by Express and Star sports reporter Andy Toft - who has never appeared on camera before - along with fellow reporter Bob Hall and deputy sports editor Martin Swain.

The paper has enlisted Richard McCarthy from the Press Association to film the video segments, and they will appear until the final on July 9.

Express and Star editor Adrian Faber said: "The Back Home website is a major step forward for the Express and Star and is proving a major success with readers.

"It gives us the opportunity to embrace the technology now available and develop new ways of connecting with people.

"To have the backing of so many well-known figures in the football world shows that a lot of planning and preparation is paying off."

The site also includes content from the paper, blogs written by Bob and Martin, and statistics, as well as fans' photos and comments.

MNA Digital new media manager David Ratcliffe said: "The World Cup has given us the perfect opportunity to test new interactivity.

"The site is helping to inform our long term approach towards video, blogging, podcasting and RSS feeds."

Wolves and England star Steve Bull is among other star guests to appear on the video bulletins, along with England Ashes-winning cricketer Ashley Giles and FA Cup Final referee Alan Wiley.

More names are being lined up to appear on the site throughout the duration of the tournament in Germany, including former England star Paul Merson, Leicester City boss Rob Kelly and former Aston Villa manager John Gregory.

The site can be found at
www.star-backhome.co.uk

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