NOW that England are out of the World Cup the nation's hopes are resting on a team from Lancashire to bring back the silverware in an international tournament.

One of the first teams they could meet are England's tormentors Brazil, who sent David Beckham and the boys packing with a 2-1 defeat in Japan yesterday.

Thousands of fans in East Lancashire were left crying into their early-morning beers after a 50th minute Ronaldinho free-kick floated over David Seaman's head.

But the 16-25-year-olds from the Galligreaves Football Club have vowed to exact revenge if they come up against the Samba boys in their own World Cup-style competition.

The seven-a-side team is the only English team taking part in the Ibiza Cup in Barcelona, where they will come up against a host of international opponents.

The competition will be played out just like the World Cup with group stages, second-round matches and knockout games leading to the final.

As well as Brazil, the Blackburn-based side - who play in the East Lancashire Seven a Side League, based at Witton Park - will come across teams from Italy, Denmark, Russia and the host nation Spain.

The team jetted out from Manchester Airport last night and will learn of their opponents when the draw is made on Monday.

There was only one message: "Bring on Brazil."

Club chairman Mubeen Mulla said: "Now that England have been knocked out we will carry the expectancy of England on our shoulders.

"It's a major honour for us to play in the tournament and we'll definitely be looking to get revenge over Brazil."

Carrying the hopes of a nation is a burden for any team to bear but Galligreaves believe they have the right credentials.

Last season saw them reach the quarter-finals in the cup and narrowly miss out on the league title when they were pipped by FJM Pawnbrokers in a thrilling winner-takes-all last game of the season.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is providing backing for the trip and has forked out for a new kit. Galligreaves have secured a grant with the council's National Skills Festival after demonstrating that as well as taking part in a football event, it will be about encouraging the positive use of leisure time.

Bill Taylor, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, which held an official send-off for the team, said: "I hope Galligreaves do well in the tournament following on from Rovers' Worthington Cup success."

Michael Brennan, assistant community officer at Blackburn Rovers, said: "We want to wish the team all the best and good luck from everyone at Rovers."