50 days to find out region's World Cup 2018 fate
Oct 13 2010 by Adam Jupp, The Journal
IN 50 days the region will learn whether it will play host to World Cup football.
Both Newcastle-Gateshead and Sunderland have been named as cities where games would be played if England is successful in winning the 2018 tournament.
FIFA will announce which country is awarded the honour on December 2 and in the meantime, officials in the region continue to do their bit to support the campaign. It comes after Sunderland Football Club recently welcomed one of world football’s most influential people. Chuck Blazer, the general secretary of CONCACAF (the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) and a member of FIFA’s elite executive committee, watched the Black Cats take on his boyhood team Manchester United.
The football supremo, from New York, checked-out the Stadium of Light and spoke to chairman Niall Quinn about the club’s involvement in the FA’s World Cup bid.
Quinn said: “It was a privilege to host Chuck at the Stadium of Light and I sincerely hope he enjoyed his time with us. His team didn’t get the result they wanted but I think that he was impressed with the Stadium of Light and Sunderland’s performance on the day.
“It was also great for him to see the passion of the Sunderland supporters and the atmosphere at the match was superb. Our fans are like a twelfth man to us and that level of support is a special element of the English game, and something that Chuck has now witnessed.
“Chuck is welcome at the Stadium of Light any time and visitors from overseas can always be guaranteed a warm welcome from the people of Sunderland.”
Mr Blazer was joined by World Cup winning brothers Bobby and Jack Charlton, who have already thrown their weight behind both North East clubs’ involvement in the England bid.
It is estimated hosting the tournament in the region would give the North East economy a £58m cash boost.
As well as games being played at St James’ Park and the Stadium of Light, fan fests would be set up at a range of locations, making the soccer spectacle accessible to all.
People can show their support for the England 2018/2022 bid by texting “England” to 62018 or by visiting www.england2018bid.com
