Boro backing Sunderland’s World Cup bid

Sep 4 2009 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

ON the pitch, they have a fierce rivalry that divides parts of the North East, but off the pitch, Sunderland and Middlesbrough have joined forces in a bid to bring World Cup football to the region.

The Teesside club has thrown its weight behind the Wearsiders’ campaign to be a host city for the 2018 or 2022 tournaments.

Sunderland wants to be included in England’s application to stage the festival of football and officials are gearing up for the visit of a team of FA inspectors next week.

Newcastle Gateshead is also vying to be a host city and both locations need to demonstrate they have widespread public support, as well as high quality hotels and good transport links, among other things.

Earlier in the week, Sunderland got the backing of Peterlee-based engineering firm Caterpillar, having previous secured the support of car giant Nissan.

Now, it is Middlesbrough FC who have got behind the bid. Chairman Steve Gibson said: “The World Cup is the pinnacle event in football and to have the tournament in England for the first time since our famous victory in 1966 would be tremendous”, he said.

“Any football club would be proud to be take part in such a global event, which is why Middlesbrough is delighted to be part of the Sunderland host city bid.

“I’ve been very impressed by how Sunderland have worked hard to ensure that their bid will encompass the North East as a whole.”