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Picture Caption- Front Row – Mick Martin, Andrew Dixon, Cllr Linda Green, Peter Beardsley and David Faulkner cheer on Newcastle Gateshead victory. -Behind Andrew Dixon- John Shipley, Leader of Newcastle Council.
It’s official; World Cup football could be played at St James’ Park as NewcastleGateshead is named by the England 2018 bid team as a host city. If England is selected to host the 2018 World Cup, world class football will be played at St James’ Park showcasing some of the best footballers in the world, it was announced today.
The announcement was made at a press conference held in Westminster, London, by England 2018 Selection Panel Chairman, Lord Brian Mawhinney.
Peter Beardsley, Malcolm Macdonald and Mick Martin all turned out at Shearer’s Bar, St James’ Park, in anticipation to await the good news, alongside Andrew Dixon of NewcastleGateshead Initiative and leaders of Newcastle and Gateshead Councils and Gateshead Council Member for Culture, Linda Green.
Commenting on the announcement Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said; “This is a proud moment for the twin cities of NewcastleGateshead. To be part of England 2018 is a fantastic achievement, and the result of the true passion of the people of NewcastleGateshead. The World Cup has always been about more than just world class football, it is about putting us on the international stage, boosting tourism and bringing carnival to Tyneside. The whole process has been about NewcastleGateshead united and the region working together. The legacy and media profile will transform international awareness of our city for decades to come.”
Mark Jackson, Bid Director, said; “This success is down to the fantastic work and magnificent effort of many people. The journey has been amazing so far and we now need to focus on ensuring a successful national bid and on delivering our proposals. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved, lending their support and expertise.”
Sporting venues across the North East, to include Gateshead International Stadium, Newcastle United Football Club Academy training grounds and the recently proposed Gateshead Football Club Stadium, will be used as training grounds for the teams.
Chris Hughton, Manager of Newcastle United Football Club, said; “St James’ Park is a fantastic venue for world class football, and NewcastleGateshead will welcome the world with the same passion they have for football. This is a fantastic achievement for the club and for Tyneside.”
After a successful ‘Back the Bid’ campaign, NewcastleGateshead will have an exciting future ahead preparing for World Cup football and the major tourism boom expected. A recent economic impact study suggested that an estimated total of £58million could be injected into the local economy with over 90% of international visitors expected to stay overnight for a minimum of 4 nights.
A number of high profile celebrities have been backing NewcastleGateshead’s bid including Sting who, today, commented on the success; “NewcastleGateshead is a world class place and I’m so pleased that the England 2018 World Cup will be played there.”
Ecstatic about the good news, former Newcastle United and England captain Alan Shearer commented;“I am extremely proud that my home town, and the stadium I enjoyed playing football in for so many years, have been chosen as part of England 2018. Fans coming to Newcastle for the World Cup matches will be guaranteed the warmest of welcomes, and will experience the true passion for football here in the North East.”
Peter Beardsley added: “Hosting World Cup football in NewcastleGateshead would be an amazing experience for everyone, even if you’re a football fan or not! I’m so happy that people in the region will have the chance to see some of the icons of football playing in their cherished stadium. St James’ Park rightly deserves to be one of the venues selected and I’m proud to have played my part in bringing World Cup football to Tyneside.”
The theme for NewcastleGateshead’s bid was Football at the Heart of the City – both geographically with the stadium right in the city centre, but also demonstrating the passion for the game on Tyneside. It is this passion that will benefit from the World Cup coming to Tyneside with a lasting legacy of football and community sports. With a proposed £5m investment into community football, the sport will flourish and result in the development of 150 new teams, 4,500 new coaches, 30,000 new players, new grass pitches, 25 new female officials, 1500 volunteers to work through and up to the event and 100% charter marked clubs and leagues.
John Shipley, Leader of Newcastle Council, said; “To be announced as a World Cup host city as part of England 2018 is a fantastic achievement for NewcastleGateshead and real testament to the partnership working that has taken place around this bid. Football really is at the heart of our city and it is that passion that has come across so strongly in our bid to England 2018.”
David Faulkner, Deputy Leader of Newcastle Council, said; “Newcastle has much to gain from being involved in England 2018, not only from the legacy of community and grass roots football and sport, but also from the city being placed on the world stage, raising our profile to billions of potential visitors and boosting our tourism.”
Mick Henry, Leader of Gateshead Council said; "We've known all along that the passion for football, and the fantastic facilities we have here in Gateshead and Newcastle, are deserving of competition at the highest possible level - and now we're going to get just that .I think we can guarantee that visiting fans from around the globe will have a fantastic reception, and local people will be itching to see some of the world's best footballer's right here in the North East. We'll also be seeing real economic benefits from the competition and we'll have an opportunity to showcase the region on the world stage."
Gateshead Council cabinet member for culture Cllr Linda Green said: “This is the great news we’ve all been waiting for. Football is what this region breathes, so I’ve got absolutely no doubt in saying that World Cup football here will be a fantastic experience for visiting fans from around the globe and local people who will have the chance to see some of the world’s greatest footballers on their doorsteps.”
England’s bid to host the World Cup in 2018 will be submitted to FIFA in May 2010, with the announcement of who will host the games announced in December 2010.
