25 November 2009
Manchester submits its 2018 World Cup host city bid to FA at
Wembley
Football legends Mike Summerbee and Pat Crerand will form part
of a delegation heading to Wembley tomorrow (Thursday) to submit
Manchester’s World Cup host city bid to the FA.
The delegation, which is led by Councillor Mike Amesbury,
executive member for culture and leisure at Manchester City Council
and Andrew Stokes, the chief executive of Marketing Manchester,
will hand the bid document to the chairman of the FA, Lord David
Triesman, selection panel chairman, Lord Brian Mawhinney and Andy
Anson the FA’s chief executive during a ceremony at Wembley.
The FA will announce which of the bidding cities will form part
of its 2018 FIFA World Cup bid on Wednesday 16th December.
Manchester’s host city bid has been led by Manchester City
Council, with strong support from both Manchester City and
Manchester United, from Salford City Council and Trafford
Metropolitan Borough Council, and from the police, the transport
authority and Marketing Manchester.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council's executive
member for culture and leisure said: “The World Cup is arguably the
greatest sporting spectacle on the planet and bringing it to
Manchester would make for an unforgettable occasion. We believe we
have impeccable credentials to be a host city, including a unique
bid using the stadiums of both Manchester clubs.”
Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said:
“Whilst Manchester already has a first class reputation for hosting
major footballing events, it will undoubtedly add an element of
prestige to our football heritage to have staged the very top
flight of the beautiful game here in Manchester.”
Peter Mearns, executive director of marketing and communications
at the NWDA, said: “In 2006 the FIFA World Cup™ in Germany
generated over 2 million visitors and £600million in economic
benefit, so there is a lot at stake if England’s bid is
successful.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which can make a major
impact, from the millions of visitors and the chance to showcase
the Northwest to a global audience, to the opportunities for
businesses and the jobs and training that this will generate.
"Manchester is a world class centre of football with the passion
to host World Cup matches and fully deserves this opportunity."
For more information about Manchester’s FIFA World Cup host city
bid, visit: www.manchesterworldsport.com
ENDS
For more information:
Marketing Manchester Communications Team
Tel: 0161 237 1010
Email: press@marketingmanchester.com