England's dismay at 2018 verdict

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  • xman
    Admin
    • Sep 2006
    • 24007

    England's dismay at 2018 verdict

    2 December 2010 Last updated at 12:34 ET People in English cities which would have hosted World Cup games in 2018 have been expressing their disappointment at the bid's failure.

    Fifa chose Russia to host the 2018 tournament and Qatar as host for 2022.

    Twelve places across England had been shortlisted as host cities and fans had been looking forward to attending matches in their home country.

    Football clubs and local councils hoped for improved stadiums or financial boosts from staging the tournament.

    England had planned to stage matches in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Nottingham, Plymouth, Sheffield and Sunderland.

    Tens of thousands of fans from the 32 competing nations would have come to England to support their teams.

    James Berresford, chief executive of tourism body VisitEngland, said: "We are all obviously disappointed that England has been unsuccessful in its bid to host the 2018 World Cup."

    'Difficult to take' Ex-footballers were among those who also expressed their dismay that the World Cup would not be held in England for the first time since 1966, when England also won the tournament for the only time.

    Former Liverpool winger Ian Callaghan, who was part of England's triumphant 1966 World Cup squad, said: "We had so much to offer.

    "We were so geared up for winning we were obviously very disappointed when the result was read out.

    "It would have been a fantastic thing for Liverpool, having teams from all over the world play here."

    Former Manchester City legend Mike Summerbee said: "I am very disappointed. I thought we had turned it round.

    "Both the clubs in Manchester and the council had really got behind the bid. It's just very difficult to take."

    Paddy Crerand, former Manchester United player, added: "It's a crying shame. England had all the right facilities. I can remember 1966 and it was a very exciting time."

    Councillor Adam Ogilvie from Leeds City Council said: "It's disappointing that Leeds has missed out on the chance to be part of the greatest sports tournament in the world.

    "The bid the Leeds City Region had submitted was fantastic and the England 2018 bid was very strong.

    "It would have ensured global coverage for the whole city region and provided a huge economic boost.

    "We have the facilities, fans and support to be a host city and I truly believe it is the world's loss that Leeds and this part of Yorkshire will not be involved."

    'Underwhelming moment' Wayne Coyle, Sheffield's bid director, said he was "very disappointed" but the city's council leader Paul Scriven said: "The city will benefit from the work of the bid team which has seen local sporting organisations work together for the benefit of the community, whilst at the same time Sheffield was profiled on a national and international stage."

    Niall Quinn, chairman of Sunderland, whose Stadium of Light would have staged games, said: "We wish Russia well. I'm surprised they got it, I have to say.

    "I don't want to feel bitter at all but it's just a shame [when] what you think should be the main components of the bid have been overlooked."

    Nottingham Forest and Bristol City had planned to build new stadiums to stage matches while Plymouth Argyle's ground would have needed major redevelopment, which will now be in question.

    Nottingham's World Cup bid director Hugh White said the driving force of Fifa's technical requirements for the city's new stadium had gone.

    "We will have to reappraise that but I know Forest have for a long time wanted a long-term stadium solution," he said.

    "I'm sure there will be discussion around that, but this opportunity has gone and we are very disappointed."

    Vice Chairman of Plymouth Argyle Paul Stapleton said: "I don't think we could have done anymore. It's a great underwhelming moment."

    He added: "The Plymouth bid was fantastic, a lot of effort, a lot of work for the county.

    "So many people put so much effort into what went into the bid. It was going to be a legacy for the youngsters of Devon and Cornwall, and it's just so disappointing."





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