Sacked manager Steve McClaren also pledged to make a donation out of his estimated £2.5million pay-off.
The gesture came as David Beckham became the latest big-name celebrity to join our campaign to win a better deal for troops.
Becks wore a Help For Heroes wristband and said: “I am incredibly grateful for the commitment and work our armed forces do for our country. I fully support the campaign.”
The 32-year-old midfielder joins Princes William and Harry, film legend Sir Michael Caine, Tory leader David Cameron and rugby ace Jonny Wilkinson in backing the appeal.
The team donation came after senior players John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Michael Owen and Gary Neville recommended it to the squad. The money will come out of the charity the players founded a year ago, Team England, into which all their match fees now go.
An FA spokesman said: “The England squad are honoured to be associated with such a worthy cause.”
McClaren added: “It’s a good cause and I am happy to help. I will definitely give some money.” The players were last night praised for the move. Ex-defence chief and SAS commander Lord Guthrie said: “It is a wonderful gesture to those who really deserve the title of heroes.”
Former MP Winston Churchill, grandson of the wartime PM, added: “It is a very nice idea for the players to make a donation. When one thinks of the pain and suffering that our young men and women in the forces go through, one realises just how fortunate the rest of us are.”
The appeal total last night stood at £1.1million after big-hearted Sun readers donated a staggering £416,000 in less than a month.
Help For Heroes’ first target is to raise £5million for an urgently needed swimming pool and gym at forces rehab centre Headley Court.
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