Sunderland World Cup bid backed by Nissan
Aug 20 2009 by Adam Jupp, The Journal
CAR giant Nissan has thrown its weight behind moves to bring World Cup football to the region if England wins the battle to host the tournament.
The firm has backed Sunderland’s campaign to be included in England’s bid to host either the 2018 or 2022 tournaments.
Special signing books for employees and visitors to lend their support were delivered to the Nissan car plant at Washington by Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn and goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
Quinn said: “We’re delighted that Nissan is getting behind the Sunderland 2018 bid like this.
“Nissan is one of the biggest and most well known employers in the region and this support will help to demonstrate to the FA how much passion there is up here to bring World Cup football to the North East.
“The international profile of Nissan is also really important and I hope that this backing assists the FA as the case is made on the global stage for the England 2018 bid.”
Both Sunderland and Newcastle Gateshead want to be host cities and need to prove to FA chiefs their have widespread public support for their campaigns. It is estimated £25m would be injected into the North East economy if either bid were successful, with thousands of fans from all corners of the globe descending on the region during the month-long feast of football.
Sunderland’s bid won the backing of Nissan as staff return to the production line after the annual summer break.
Managing director Trevor Mann said: “Nissan is only too happy to support Sunderland’s bid to be a host city during the World Cup – it’s a real opportunity not to be missed.
“As the one of the largest sporting events in the world, the economic benefits it will bring during the competition and in the four years leading up to it will be significant, as well as a boost to the region’s international profile.”
In a bid to whip up public support, Sunderland will also lay a banner in the centre circle of the Stadium of Light turf before every home game this season. It made its first appearance prior to the Black Cats’ clash with Chelsea on Tuesday. Quinn added: “Everyone is working tremendously hard to demonstrate just how much hosting the 2018 World Cup means to us.
“We are keen to do whatever we can to support the FA’s bid and naturally we hope that Sunderland and North East England will be an integral part of that bid.
“I would continue to urge everyone across the country and especially the North East to show their full support to the campaign.”
