Newcastle World Cup bid success will leave lasting legacy

Jul 25 2009 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

STAGING the World Cup in the North East will leave a lasting legacy that will benefit future generations.

That was the message last night delivered to members of Newcastle Gatesheads bid team by the mayor of one of the German cities involved in the 2006 tournament.

Frank Baranowski, Oberburgermeister of Gelsenkirchen, is leading a delegation from the city, which has travelled to Tyneside to mark 60 years of its twinning relationship with Newcastle.

While here, they hope to pass on their expertise to those hoping to convince FA chiefs that Newcastle Gateshead should form part of Englands plans to stage the 2018 or 2022 contests.

It is estimated bringing the feast of football to the North East would give a s25m boost to the regional economy, with hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe jetting in to enjoy the atmosphere.

But Mr Baranowski says the benefits of being a host city are not just felt during the month-long spectacle but for years to come.

He told The Journal the exposure his city was given during the 2006 World Cup contributed to it being named next years European Capital of Culture, an accolade Newcastle Gateshead narrowly missed out on in 2008.

Mr Baranowski said: There are four main reason why I would say Newcastle Gateshead should go for it. First of all, it is a once-in-a-lifetime and an unforgettable experience.

Secondly, it gives the area an economic boost. In particular the hotels, restaurants and bars get a whole load of benefits from it during the time of the tournament itself. The third reason is that the city will experience a feeling of community, with organisations working together in ways they have never worked together before.

Finally, you are placed in the international spotlight. The amount of broadcast coverage you get is something you couldnt even pay for in advertising terms.

Gelsenkirchen is in North Rhine-Westphalia, in the northern part of the Ruhr area of Germany. Its population in 2006 was about 267,000 very similar to that of Newcastles and the cities have been twinned since 1948.