Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown believes Gary Johnson has played an integral role in helping the city become a potential 2018 World Cup venue.

Bristol was yesterday chosen alongside 12 other cities to host matches if the Football Association is successful in its efforts to bring the World Cup to England when FIFA make their final decision next December.

And City chairman Lansdown believes that the recent on-the-pitch success brought about since Johnson took charge at Ashton Gate in 2005 has been one of a number of factors in yesterday's 'fantastic' achievement.

Johnson has led the team to the Championship via promotion in 2007 and then just 12 months later guided City to a play-off final that saw them just 90 minutes short of earning a place in the Premier League and Lansdown said: "Gary Johnson has helped put the club on the map with improved performances on the pitch.

"That has all helped to give Bristol and football in the city a higher profile and has also played a part in giving us the chance to bring the World Cup here in 2018.

"We can't take all the credit because Bristol Rovers have also done well on the pitch over the last couple of years so we have both helped put football in this city back on the map."

When asked if the aim was to become an established Premier League club by the time the World Cup could potentially come to the region, Lansdown added: "Our aim is to play at the highest level and we want to get there and give it a go.

"There can be no promises because we are in a tough old league and we have to work hard to stay there but we are moving in the right direction and I am really pleased with how things are going."

Johnson, meanwhile, believes that Bristol's successful bid and the club's increased profile will help him in his ambition to take the club in to the top-flight.

"This sort of publicity can only help us," he said. "We have been trying to raise the profile of the club over the last few seasons and I think that has helped us attract some players that may not have come and joined us in the past.

"It is a wonderful thing to possibly have the World Cup in this city and it is a time to be really proud of Bristol."

The club's plans for a new 30-000-capacity stadium at Ashton Vale are a key factor in ensuring the global event comes to Bristol and Johnson is hopeful that yesterday's nomination will act as an incentive to help the ambitious project come to fruition.

"There is always going to be people it doesn't suit and we understand that," said Johnson.

"It is a lot bigger now that we know we are going to be one of the host cities. Everybody needs to get behind it and make sure we get the new stadium up and running."

Bristol City Supporters Trust vice chairman Miles Hendy said the city now has the chance to be at the heart of the tournament.

"It's exciting news," he said. "It is absolutely wonderful for the city and the fact that it is not just Bristol but Plymouth and Milton Keynes as well.

"If you drew a map of all the cities chosen then Bristol is at the heart of it with Birmingham to the north and London to the east as well as Plymouth and Milton Keynes.

"If you were coming to watch the World Cup where would you base yourself? Bristol becomes a prime hub of World Cup action for those cities.

"It is going to be a buzzing time to be in England if we get the overall bid. A great time for Bristol and North Somerset."

Bristol Rovers Supporters Club chairman Jim Chappell said he thought Rovers fans would be prepared to go to the new stadium for international matches even though it will be City's ground.

"It is good news," he said. "It is good for the city and it will be nice if we can get it. There will always be a few that won't cross the 'divide' shall we say.

"But I am sure the majority will. It all depends on what countries play there.

"Rovers have used Ashton Gate as a home ground in the past and gone there to watch the Rovers play so I am sure they would go and watch the World Cup."