Liverpool FC and Everton FC working together
Liverpool officially launched its bid to be part of England’s 2018 World Cup plans on Wednesday July 22nd, with the city council submitting an outline based on both teams having new stadia.
City leaders made the case to be a Host City to World Cup bid inspectors before taking them on a tour of sporting, cultural and tourism facilities.
People can show their support for the Liverpool by registering online through this link.
Liverpool is one of 15 cities competing to be chosen, with Manchester also bidding to take part.
The managers for both teams put themselves behind the bid, with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez saying:
“Everybody knows the passion people in Liverpool have for football. Their knowledge and appreciation of the game is known throughout the world, and matches being staged in Liverpool would be a huge boost for a World Cup played in England.”
Everton manager David Moyes said:
“I have absolutely no hesitation in throwing my weight behind Liverpool’s bid to be a host city for the World Cup. Football really matters to people here; it’s something which is much more than a pastime – it is a genuine passion. It would be unthinkable for England to stage a World Cup without this city being a key player. I would urge everyone in the city – be they Blue or Red – to get right behind this bid. We can’t afford to miss out on what could be a magnificent event.”
The 25-page document tabling the bid highlights the strength of grassroots football, Liverpool’s transport and accommodation offer and ability to host a month-long festival of football.
As well as two new stadia, Liverpool’s case for inclusion in England’s submission to FIFA focuses on the city’s support and involvement in football at every level, as well as its excellent record in hosting major international events such as this September’s Davis Cup, The Grand National, and of course holding European Capital of Culture 2008.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who played at the 2006 World Cup and has been an integral part of England’s 2010 qualifying campaign, said:
“Having played in a World Cup I saw first hand exactly what it meant to the cities involved and I’d love to see that happen in my home town. Liverpool is a massive footballing city and a World Cup in England without Liverpool is unthinkable.”
Outside of the professional game, Liverpool has one of the UK’s largest networks of amateur leagues with 1,500 Junior and 700 Adult teams, with 23,000 and 11,500 registered players respectively.
Leader of Liverpool City Council, Warren Bradley said:
”You can’t envisage the World Cup coming to this country and Liverpool as a city not being one of the hosts. Liverpool is one of the great footballing hubs of world sport.
“Our clubs, their players and fans, have shaped and enriched the game for more than a century and involvement in the game at the grassroots is second to none. This bid is about building on that tradition, to promote the game to a new generation and help England secure and deliver a fantastic tournament.‘”This is also a competition against other UK cities and we need both Evertonians and Liverpudlians, and football fans in general, to show their support for the city on the website. Like for the Capital of Culture contest, I’m sure if we unite our passion for the game we will have a very special 12th man in our bidding team.”
Bill Kenwright, CBE, and Chairman of Everton Football Club, said:
“If you go anywhere in the world and say you are from the great city of Liverpool, you are met with a standard response – they say ‘football and The Beatles’.
“Liverpool is synonymous with football – it is utterly inconceivable that England could stage a World Cup without the city being a major venue. Everyone on Merseyside – whether they are football supporters or not – should get right behind this bid. 2018 could turn out to be the biggest party in the world – and we want an invite.”
In 2006 the World Cup in Germany generated over 2 million visitors and 600 million in economic benefits.
A final bid has to be submitted to England’s World Cup bid company by November 2009.
England will announce its Host Cities in December and will put forward its official bid, containing between 12 and 18 stadia that meet FIFA criteria, in May 2010.
FIFA will announce the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup in December 2010.
Recommended further reading about Liverpool’s World Cup Bid:
Gary Stevens Backs Liverpool’s World Cup Bid
What are the chances of a successful Liverpool bid?
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Liverpool’s World Cup BidWhat are the chances of a successful Liverpool bid?