Bristol part of World Cup bid launch
Representatives from Bristol City football club and Bristol City Council will rub shoulders with David Beckham and Prime Minister Gordon Brown today as the Football Association kicks off England's bid for the 2018 or 2022 tournament.
Bristol is one of 15 cities which will be put forward at Wembley Stadium today as a potential venue, subject to the development of Bristol City's new ground in Ashton Vale.
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Artist's impression of Bristol City's new stadium
The new 30,000 seater ground, for which planning permission is yet to be secured, will be capable of transforming into a 42,000 seater venue should England win the right to stage the World Cup.
FIFA's invitation to bid for the tournament stated approximately 12 stadiums will be required, all with a capacity of at least 40,000. From these, one must have 80,000 seats to stage the opening game and the final, which will be Wembley (capacity 90,000). A further two must seat a minimum of 60,000 for the semi-finals, most likely Old Trafford (capacity 76,212) and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (60,342).
And FA chairman LordTriesman, who is the bid chairman, will today stress England’s infrastructure and the economic benefits of hosting the tournament.
Triesman will say: “We have first-class grounds. We’ve got good transport links, domestically and internationally. We’ve got excellent accommodation.
“A World Cup in England would be a truly memorable event – not only for our nation but for every nation.
“We’d extend a wonderful welcome to players and fans from across the world.
“Inside and outside our grounds, we’d share with them our love of the game and our sense of fair play.
“And they would enjoy our diverse culture – one that means England would provide a home-from-home welcome for every fan and player.”
Beckham, a bid vice-president, is due to play a major role in the star-studded launch.
There will be messages from the three main parties to underline cross-party support for the bid.
BBC presenter Adrian Chiles will be the compere for the event, which will be followed by a meeting for representatives from 15 cities who are all hoping to be hosts. The prospective hosts will be given an update on the requirements needed as well as the timings for the process to choose the cities.
The 15 cities are: Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Sunderland.
FIFA’s 24-man executive committee will vote on the hosts for both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in December next year. Spain and Russia are England’s main rivals in Europe, while the USA and Australia are also bidding.
10 Comments
by Steve, Glastonbury
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 12:23PM
“Hey could it include facilities for concerts? That should be the kiss of death. BUT if not then finally football has some value and purpose...”
by Kevin Wood, WSM
Monday, May 18 2009, 10:49PM
“Plans are in place, the sites been sorted,the moneys there .GET ON WITH IT”
by Richard, Bristol
Monday, May 18 2009, 8:39PM
“Bristol has to be one of the cities to hold World Cup matches; it's one of the greatest cities in the UK and with Bath TV crews from around the world should focus on this venue.”
by Dw, Bristol
Monday, May 18 2009, 2:59PM
“Are you serious, build the new stadium in the centre? Traffic is appalling as it is in the centre, imagine 40,000 football fans adding to the mix, plus where will people park? You fool!”
by Joe, Bristol
Monday, May 18 2009, 2:14PM
“Come on folks,a new stadium,are you forgetting we are talking BRISTOL here,it aint gonna appen.”
by John, Bristol.
Monday, May 18 2009, 1:40PM
“Hmmm,well the area around the old Post Office Buildings at Temple Meads really is in need of development.And there are in fact Railway Lines just across the road from the present Ashton Gate Ground,but if BCC are relied on NOTHING AT ALL will ever get done ??.”
by MKH, Bristol
Monday, May 18 2009, 11:28AM
“As long as the stadium is across the river near Totterdown, it will be south of the river!
Always Believe!”
by MKH, Bristol
Monday, May 18 2009, 11:25AM
“As far as I'm aware the BCFC stadium is not being built on greenbelt land but an old landfill site unsuitable for many other uses.
New rail links are being considered from TM to Ashton Vale.
I queried using the land next to Temple Meads with BCFC and apparently it was deemed unsuitable. Maybe they might reconsider, I have no problem with using that land at all - seemed like a perfect location to me!”
by Ken, Emersons Green
Monday, May 18 2009, 11:14AM
“Lets point out that the stadium isnt being built for the World Cup alone it is a part of the plans for the football club and its future.
Temple Meads, great idea. Only 1 snag the plot of land wasn't suitable for a 10000 seat arena so how do you propose that it would be suitable for a 40000 seat stadium?
Bristol City Football Club and its stadium has been a part of the South Bristol community for over 100 years you propose that should change and move to the City Centre. Well as a City fan I wouldn't be happy to upsticks from our community.
The area where the stadium is to be built is part of Bristol City Council and goverment stratagy to build 10000 new houses in the area.”
by bristolisfantastic, Bristol
Monday, May 18 2009, 10:47AM
“Please Please Please don't ruin the Sub-urbs of Bristol and venture onto Country-side and Greenbelt land JUST for the sake of football stadium... The even only once every so many years and whats to say that the City will even get it.... And if we do get to host the games, will we EVER HOST THEM AGAIN.. Look at the mess, chaos and roads, rail, traffic problems that it will cause and as for mony coming to the city..... Well, this will only be for brief periods and NOT from the day a stadium is built... the ONLY person that will benefit is the clubs chairman and his colleagues...!!!!!!!
PLEASE DO NOT BUILD THIS STADIUM.....
BUILD THE STADIUM IN AN AREA WHERE IT WILL SERVE THE WHOLE OF BRISTOL - Somewhere nearer the City Centre....
If thats the case, we could also could the new stadium the "CITY CENTRE"....... ie: after Bristol City ...
Build the stadium around the rear of TEMPLE MEADS and over the River AND use the old Post Office Sorting Office which is currently in DYRE NEED OF REGENERATION...
PLEEEEEEEEEAASSEEEEEEE”