Theatre of dreams: England will play Italy in the Euro 2012 quarter-final at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev on Sunday

'When I first started with England, players would sit in distinct groups,' Ferdinand told The Sun.

'You would have a table for Manchester United players, another for the Liverpool lads and one for Alan Shearer and his mob.

'I didn't know where to sit for fear I would upset one group or another and be marked down as in a particular gang. It all sounds strange now but that's how it was in those days.

'In the squad today you have plenty of Manchester United and Liverpool players but many have had a different upbringing.

'Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing have moved to Anfield, yet are north easterners. And, of course, Danny Welbeck knows Henderson from the time he was on loan at Sunderland.'

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