Bid is big enough for our two cities

Nov 26 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

Newcastle and Sunderland are rival cities in every sense of the word but Chief Sports Writer Luke Edwards argues their separate bids to be host cities for the 2018 World Cup can live in harmony together

Expansions are planned at Villa Park in Birmingham, Tottenham’s White Hart Lane, Elland Road in Leeds, the City Ground in Nottingham and Ashton Gate in Bristol, while there has also been talk of Twickenham, the home of England Rugby Union, being used if Fifa allow a third London stadium to be considered.

A total of 15 cities – Portsmouth withdrew yesterday – have entered a bid, while West Ham and Everton are also considering new stadiums to join London and Liverpool’s bids, but these are nothing more than plans and Newcastle and Sunderland, as separate cities, would receive more support from Fifa than single cities like Liverpool, Manchester and London dominating the tournament.

Newcastle’s manager Chris Hughton described the prospect of an England World Cup without games at St James’ Park earlier this week as “unthinkable”, yet it is worth noting the city played no part in the 1966 World Cup, whereas Sunderland and Middlesbrough both did.

Newcastle’s bid is let down by the lack of land around it, hemmed in by roads, listed buildings and a Metro Station, Fifa may have concerns about car parking and corporate hospitality.

However, Newcastle City Council will surely bend over backwards to accommodate the tournament in terms of car parking space and there is room in the lush green surroundings of Leazes Park, just a few minutes walk away, for corporate marquees.

As for Sunderland, they have worked harder to attract public support and media attention and there is plenty of room around the stadium, but Sunderland does not have its own airport, it does not have a tourist industry, and the hotel beds which come with it, and the main train route goes through their neighbour’s backyard.

Yet, instead of perceiving each other as a threat, the region has every right to believe both cities can be successful. No region in the country has more passion for football than the North East, a fact which can not be ignored by the men in suits even if they sit in offices at the other end of the country.