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SUNDERLAND CELEBRATES 2018/22 SUCCESS

16/12/2009

Press release by Sunderland AFC

Sunderland is celebrating today after being chosen as a Candidate Host City as part of England’s bid to host the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup™.

Sunderland has been selected alongside a number of cities, including Manchester, Liverpool and London, to be included in The Football Association’s bid to FIFA as it looks to bring the world’s biggest sporting event to England for the first time since 1966.

Sunderland’s tireless 12 month campaign has seen the whole region get behind the bidding process. The England 2018 bid team indicated that levels of public support for individual host city bids would be an important factor when it came to selecting the final cities and thousands of individuals from across the North East rose to the challenge by pledging their support.

Sunderland AFC Chairman Niall Quinn expressed his delight at the news today: “I am absolutely thrilled – what a fantastic day for Sunderland and the North East. As soon as we were aware that England was considering a bid to host the 2018/22 FIFA World Cup we knew we wanted to be part of something that could showcase our club, our city and the region on a scale bigger than anything we’ve ever known.

“The collaboration between the City Council and the football club has been seamless, with both organisations working hand in hand to demonstrate to England 2018 just why they needed Sunderland at the heart of their bid.

“Of course there’s still a lot of hard work to be done to bring the World Cup to England and our focus in the coming weeks and months will shift to doing everything we can to help The FA in their campaign. Now is the time for the whole country to come together, back the bid and play their part.”

Middlesbrough FC, Darlington FC, Hartlepool United FC, Carlisle United FC and Durham County Cricket Club all signed up to Sunderland’s bid and are showcased as potential training venues for visiting international teams.

Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council said: “There are so many people and organisations that have helped us to achieve this and I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has played their part – large or small – in this success today.

“To see the region come together as one has been tremendous and to be named as a Candidate Host City is just reward for the sheer effort and enthusiasm that the bid team and the people of our region have demonstrated.

Lesley Callaghan, Sunderland AFC’s Marketing and Commercial Director, who led the football club’s involvement in the bid process added: “This has been a huge team effort and I am immensely grateful to everyone involved in the bid process for their unwavering enthusiasm and passion. Sunderland being awarded Candidate Host City Status is something for everyone involved in the bid and associated with the city to be tremendously proud of today.

It’s a historic day for the Club, the city and the region but this is only the beginning as we need to continue to work together to help England become successful in 2010, so we can bring the biggest sporting event in the world here.”

Sunderland’s 2018 World Cup Bid Director and Sunderland City Council’s Head of Culture and Tourism, Chris Alexander, said: “The bidding process has been a challenge for all of us but the partnership between the City Council and Sunderland AFC, along with some great support from many different individuals and organisations has been inspiring. We are proud and absolutely delighted to have been able to secure this for our city and our region.”

A number of high profile companies and businesses throughout the region also gave the bid their backing, including Nissan, Caterpillar and Gentoo.

It is estimated that staging FIFA World Cup™ games in the North East could boost the regional economy by tens of millions of pounds, with further long term benefits including the development and improvement of infrastructure and sporting facilities, as well as a significant increase in tourism, leaving a lasting legacy for decades to come.

Stacy Hall, Director of Communications and Tourism at One North East said: “To have two Stadia included in England’s 2018/2022 World Cup bid is an exceptional achievement by everyone involved with the bid process and all those who have supported the bids.

“Should England be successful in earning the right to host the World Cup, having both venues chosen will bring enormous economic benefits to the North East for business and tourism. Thousands of people will visit the region for matches and Fan Fests requiring hotels, restaurants and leisure facilities and the tournament will showcase the North East to an audience of millions across the world.”

The decision on which country will host the FIFA World Cup™ in 2018 will be announced in December 2010.

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