Inspecting World Cup credentials

Sep 9 2009 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

INSPECTORS running the rule over moves to bring World Cup football to the North East were today due in the region.

Both Sunderland and Newcastle Gateshead want to be included in England’s bid to host either the 2018 or 2022 tournaments.

Both have submitted bids to the FA, including details of the hotels, training facilities and fan parks that would be used for the month-long soccer spectacle.

And a delegation from Soho square was set to arrive in the North East to carry out its second tour of Wearside as part of its host city selection process.

They will then travel to Tyneside tomorrow to carry out the same exercise for the Newcastle Gateshead bid, with the eventual decision announced in December.

Sunderland AFC chief executive Steve Walton said: “A tremendous amount of planning and preparation has gone in to today’s visit and there’s a real desire from everyone involved to show the key decision makers just how much we want to be part England’s 2018 bid.

“As a club, city and region I’m confident that we’ve got what it takes to play a significant role in England’s World Cup plans and by utilising the best facilities across the North East Sunderland’s bid really is bringing the whole of the region together.

“The prospect of seeing the best footballers in the world grace the Stadium of Light is certainly a tantalising one and we’ll be pulling out all the stops to make sure we deliver just that.”