Manchester: Supporters of Football & Supporters of England’s World Cup Bid.
Manchester is proud to stake a claim for a share of the glory if the football World Cup comes to England.
Manchester has a rich sporting heritage, a reputation for attracting national and international events and a passion for sport at community level. The City has hosted everything from Champions League finals and world swimming championships, to the Commonwealth Games.
The Reds of Manchester United and the Blues of Manchester City are both supporting the idea of Manchester being a host city for the World Cup, with matches being played at Old Trafford and the City of Manchester Stadium.
In total, Greater Manchester is home to no less than four premier league football clubs – Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Manchester United and Wigan Athletic. Football, essentially, is in our blood. Mention Manchester in a remote corner of the world and you will likely be acknowledged with a football reference of some kind – red or blue, Rooney or Robinho.
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I feel close to the rebelliousness and vigour of the youth here. Perhaps time will separate us, but nobody can deny that here, behind the windows of Manchester, there is an insane love of football, of celebration and of music."
Eric Cantona
In advance of London 2012, Manchester will play host to a number of Olympic teams including Swim Australia and athletes from Thailand. Manchester will also be the only city in the Northwest of England to host an Olympic event with qualifying games for the football tournament taking place here. Manchester has a real passion for sport, one that we hope to share during the FIFA World Cup.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Arts and Culture, said: “Manchester lives and breathes football and the city’s name is known all over the world for its links to top class football.
“The city has also proved itself as a venue for world class sporting events, the home of first rate facilities for a wide range of sports, and as a base for Olympic and Paralympic stars as well as big names in football.
“The city region has great international transport connections and the tourism infrastructure to support a major influx of sports fans. Previous big sporting events have brought many millions of pounds into the city as well as providing enjoyment for hundreds of thousands of fans.
“For example, our Manchester World Sport 08 events together attracted more than 317,000 visitors to the city and generated £23 million of net economic impact.
“Also, our grassroots football programme shows our support for the sport from school age right up to the highest professional level.”
Garry Cook, Chief Executive Officer of Manchester City FC, said: "Manchester City FC is proud to support the city's bid to become a host venue for the 2018 World Cup. Both the city and the club have a great deal of experience in hosting world class international sporting fixtures and football fans the world over could expect the very warmest of welcomes from the staff and fans of Manchester City."
Manchester United FC Chief Executive David Gill said: “We are keen to see the World Cup come to England again and for Manchester to be a venue for the action. We would be proud to welcome international fans to Old Trafford.”
You can pledge your support for England 2018 and Manchester by backing the bid at:
http://www.england2018bid.com/support/register.aspx
Visit Manchester's bid site at:
http://www.manchesterworldsport.com