Warner, the vice-president of FIFA, was shown round Sheffield United's Bramall Lane by Geoff Thompson, the former chairman of the Football Association, who is a colleague on the Executive Committee and who is an important member of England's bid to host the World Cup for the first time since 1966.

Warner, who is also president of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) also watched Trinidad & Tobago's under-20 team play a friendly against Sheffield United as part of their preparations for the FIFA World Under-20 Cup.

A spokesman for Sheffield United said: "As part of his visit to the city, Mr Warner was given a tour of the Blades' Legends of the Lane museum.

"His visit to the city also coincided with Sheffield's bid to stage World Cup matches in 2018 and the game was an opportunity to demonstrate that the club can stage international matches."

Warner also met Richard Timms, the chairman of Sheffield FC, the oldest football club in the world.

On arrival at the ground in Dronfield, Warner was presented with an honorary life membership, an old Sheffield FC team photo and a framed copy of the first printed football laws.

He and Thompson were given the first off the production line of Sheffield FC's new Welcome to Yorkshire away shirt.

Warner also arranged for the team to watch Manchester United's Premiership match against Arsenal at Old Trafford today where he met Sir Alex Ferguson.

It was all part of the FA's charm offensive to ensure that Warner supports England's bid to host the World Cup.

The full England team have already visited Port-of-Spain for a friendly international against Trinidad & Tobago.