Elton John faces a backlash from football fans who bought tickets to his Sussex show - only to find it clashes with England's vital match against Ecuador.

Many England fans are praying Sir Elton, former chairman of Watford Football Club, will delay coming on stage so they can watch the World Cup second round game.

Others are prepared to throw away their £40-£100 concert tickets for the afternoon show rather than miss Sunday's match.

Tickets worth £65 last night sold on auction website eBay for as little as £28.

Some sellers were prepared to accept starting bids of only 99p.

The Rocket Man's performance at Sussex County Cricket Ground, in Hove, starts at 5.15pm - about 30 minutes before the World Cup game is expected to finish.

Die-hard England fans face a tough choice between the rival events, either missing the end of the game or the beginning of Sir Elton's performance.

That does not take into account the possibility of the match running into extra time.

Concert promoters could not have foreseen the timing of the England match when tickets for Sir Elton's show went on sale in November - before the World Cup draw was made in December.

They face a dilemma because, under the terms they agreed with the emergency services and the city council, the concert must finish by 8.10pm.

Fans were also disappointed to be told the match could not be shown on big screens during Sir Elton's show.

Despite having bought four tickets at £60 each, Jon Eames, 40, and his wife, Hazel, 41, from Horsham, will be cheering for England rather than Elton.

He said: "It's a shame but my priority is with England."

Housewife Lorraine Jenkins, 43, of Kings Road, Brighton, said: "Anybody who likes football and wanted to see Elton John was secretly praying England would lose against Sweden, although we didn't really want them to play Germany."

Promoter Ben Martin said: "We are continuing to work with all the parties to accomodate both the football match and the concert within the constraints of the licence."

Last night, Keith Bradley, a member of Elton's management team, said: "Elton and all the parties concerned are bending over backwards to try and ensure the two events go off seamlessly."