Former Arsenal and England striker Alan Smith took to the Clarence Park pitch to test out the football the best players on the planet will use at World Cup 2014 in Rio, Brazil.

The Adidas Brazuca is the product of two-and-a-half years testing and some of the world’s best players, such as Iker Casillas and Lionel Messi, were involved in its development.

Smith was at the home of St Albans City yesterday ahead of Friday’s World Cup draw to test the ball for himself for his column in the Telegraph, and he called upon the services of Saints goalkeeper Tom Coulton to help him.

City’s custodian even managed to save a couple of Smith’s penalties – hopefully Joe Hart (or whoever has the number one jersey in Brazil) will be able to replicate Coulton’s success.

Speaking about the Brazuca to the Telegraph, Coulton said: “First impression: I really enjoy the grip on the ball and it doesn’t move as much as I thought it would.

“Previously World Cup balls I’ve played with the ball is light and moves [in the air] but this one is alright.”

A more consistent-moving ball should help Roy Hodgson’s side avoid any goalkeeping howlers (read: Robert Green versus USA in 2010) as they attempt to bring some long overdue footballing glory back to England.