Brown and Beckham call for British football team at the 2012 Olympics

Support for a British football team at the London 2012 Olympics is gathering momentum with Gordon Brown and David Beckham throwing their weight behind the idea.

Prime Minister Brown says he is determined to work with the football associations from the home nations in a bid to get Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on board.

Those countries have already stated their determination to resist the idea because they fear it will have long-term repercussions on their football independence.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has promised Brown it will not trigger a campaign for the British teams to play under one banner in the World Cup and European Championship. But Blatter does notexpect the Scots, Irish and Welsh to back down and told the Prime Minister that the simplest solution would be to field an all-English team.

Scot Brown said: 'We all want to see a Great Britain football team. It's the right to do to have a successful Olympics.

'When people are looking at the Olympics in 2012 in Britain, the home of football, where football was invented, which we gave to the world, I think people would be very surprised if we were not part of it.

'I am confident that when the people of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland know that matches will be taking place outside London, they will approve of this idea.'

Former England captain Beckham, in Beijing to take part in the hand-over ceremony, said: 'It's important because you see the success of the Great Britain team in the whole Olympics and you see the unity that comes with it. So it's important that everyone is involved together.

Every sportsman who can be involved in the Olympics will want to be involved. It doesn't matter where you are from. If that's the only problem we have, it's such a small problem that it needs to be sorted.'

As for his chances of playing in 2012, Beckham said: 'I will be 37 so I'm not sure I will still be playing. But you never know. I'll definitely be there.' Sir Alex Ferguson is a possible manager, although this is likely to hinge on the participation of Scotland.

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Victoria and sons

David Beckham flies in to tell Dad: Sorry I was a party pooper

David and Victoria Beckham flew back to England this weekend in a last-ditch attempt to patch things up with the footballer’s father.

Tensions in the Beckham household reached a peak last month when the couple decided not to fly over for Ted Beckham’s 60th birthday.

David’s father, who suffered a heart attack last year, was said to be deeply upset when his 33-year-old son and Victoria, 34, chose instead to attend actress Kate Beckinsale’s 35th birthday party in LA.

But yesterday the couple flew into the UK with their three sons to throw a surprise dinner party for Ted.

‘David couldn’t come over last month because of football commitments,’ said a family friend.

‘But now the whole family have travelled to the UK and they have planned a birthday dinner for Ted.’

Beckham Senior celebrated his 60th at Romford Golf club in Essex with his family in late July, but his famous son and daughter-in-law were notable by their absence.

The situation deteriorated a few days later when Victoria flew her parents and her sister to LA for a glamorous dinner hosted by Allure magazine and David’s family were left behind in England.

I’m told: ‘Victoria is always very thoughtful and threw a big 60th party for her mother at Claridge’s. Then her family flew out for the Allure party but she didn’t think to invite David’s family. His sister Joanne was particularly miffed to be left at home.

‘And this so soon after Ted was left very upset on his big day. It would have meant a lot to his father if David had shown up for his party.’

Ted was pleased that David called to wish him a happy birthday, said the friend.

‘But when he saw that David and Victoria had gone to Kate Beckinsale’s bash in LA that same weekend, he was really disappointed and heartbroken.

‘Everyone is hoping it will all be resolved this weekend.’

David's father Ted was upset his son missed his 60th birthday

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The Beckhams dine out again at Eva's... but Posh's corset dress leaves little room for dessert

David and Victoria Beckham headed out for dinner at friend Eva Longoria-Parker's LA eaterie last night.

But judging from Victoria's close-fitting attire, she wasn't planning on having dessert.

The former Spice Girl tottered alongside husband David in a waist-cinching mini-corset dress, with her trademark wide belt which made her tiny waist look even smaller.

While David dressed rather more casually in a shirt, tucked as usual in at one side, Posh opted for the high-fashion look and it didn't look as if she would easily accommodate three courses.

The wide stiff skirt was thigh-skimmingly short, and looked as if a stiff wind had blown up it.

The Beckhams have become regular diners at the Desperate Housewives' star Mexican restaurant since it opened in May.

And in what looked like a bit of a Brit-pack reunion, were joined by friends, Gordon Ramsay and wife Tana, and actress Kate Beckinsale, 35, and her American husband Len Wiseman, 35.

Noticeably absent was owner Longoria, who is busy filming the next series of Desperate Housewives after spending the weekend in her native Texas.

All three couples have children around same age - the Beckhams have three boys aged between two and nine, the Ramsays have four children aged between six and 10, and Kate has a nine-year-old daughter Lily.

Speaking of the two family's friendship earlier this year, Tana said: 'To us they're simply good friends. They have kids the same age as ours, so when we meet up they all get on really well.

'They're a very normal, down-to-earth family, honestly. Victoria is lovely. She is very chic and beautiful, but she's a real mum. She's not this other-worldly person people think she is.'

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Where did you learn THAT, Cruz Beckham?

He may be just three years and two months, but the littlest Beckham is already showing a rebellious streak.

A cranky Cruz certainly gave onlookers a piece of his mind as he arrived with his family to celebrate his mother's 34th birthday in LA yesterday.

The toddler very cheekily flashed his middle finger as the group made their way through the crowd perched up on his father's arm.

But he's not the first Beckham boy to raise eyebrows with the gesture.

David sparked huge controversy when he flipped the finger at England fans after the team's 3-2 defeat against Portugal at the Euro 2000 in Holland.

Cruz's brothers Brooklyn, 9, and Romeo, 5, were better behaved, with the oldest carrying a giant 'Happy Birthday' balloon in honour of the occasion.

Victoria rang in her birthday with a low-key lunch at Pink Taco, a kitsch LA restaurant that serves buckets of beer and £4 Mexican meals.

It's not exactly the kind of spectacular, no-expense-spared birthday party one would expect from the self-appointed queen of posh, Posh.

A night earlier, the Beckhams dined at Eva Longoria's restaurant with their favourite couple of moment – Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman.

The Desperate Housewives star joined in on the celebrations, but Katie Holmes and husband Tom Cruise were notably absent from the affair.

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Posh faces the Ugg truth: Romeo Beckham steps out in sheepskin boots

Stiletto aficionado Victoria Beckham once criticised Americans for their love of comfy Ugg boots.

But it seems her son doesn't share her disdain.

Romeo, 5, was spotted kicking around LA in sheepskin shoes while on a shopping trip with Posh.

The middle Beckham boy followed his mother - and her stylist - as she trawled for new outfits in a range of stores, including Abercrombie & Fitch.

Before moving to LA, she said she was unimpressed with the Stateside approach to fashion.

Victoria, who is currently working on a new collection of high-end frocks, said at the time: 'They dress down quite a lot here, don't they? It seems to be in keeping to go to Starbucks in tracksuit bottoms and Ugg boots.’

And while she has stayed true to her over-styled look, her family has certainly embraced all-American living.

As well as fashion, the Beckham boys now also share the US obsession with basketball, and are regulars at LA Lakers games along with their father David.

The former Spice Girl has previously said her family has no plans to return to Britain.

She says: 'We've loved every minute so far. I can't see us going back.'

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Proud dad David coaches soccer school... as Romeo tries to bend it like Beckham

David Beckham's little protégé Romeo proved he is every inch his father's son during a training session in Los Angeles yesterday.

The five-year-old showed he has the makings of greatness as he mirrored the LA Galaxy star's kicking technique to a tee while running around the pitch in the famous 23 jersey.

Bonding exercise: David Beckham trains his eldest son Brooklyn and friends

Earlier this week, David, ever the doting dad, took Romeo as well as his other sonsBrooklyn, nine, and Cruz, three, to the star-studded Teen Choice Awards.He even took his lookalike boys up on stage as he picked up the Choice Male Athlete gong, Cruz seizing the opportunity to put his now famous break-dancing skills on show yet again.

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