Backing for Black Cats’ World Cup bid

Oct 15 2009 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

MOVES to bring World Cup football to Wearside now span the North’s footballing community.

Sunderland wants to be included in England’s application to stage either the 2018 or 2022 tournaments.

Bid leaders have prepared detailed proposals of the venues and facilities that would be involved if the soccer spectacle was brought to the region.

That includes hotels in locations ranging from Northumberland to Darlington and training bases as far afield as Carlisle, Cumbria.

Now, the border town’s football club has given its backing to Sunderland’s campaign, with ex-Black Cat stars Graham Kavanagh and Paul Thirlwell leading the messages of support.

Thirlwell, now Carlisle captain, said: “It would be fantastic to see the World Cup in our region. It would be great for Carlisle to play its part in staging the world’s greatest sporting event and I’m sure Carlisle fans and everyone in the region would really get behind it.”

There are 16 cities vying for host city status, including Newcastle Gateshead and Sunderland.

A final decision is expected in December and the successful cities will then be submitted by England 2018 to FIFA as part of their 2018 bid. FIFA’s decision on which country will host the event will come 12 months later.

There needs to be a strong festival and events programme, conference facilities and funding to host the event.