The man likely to be in charge of Bristol's 2018 World Cup pitch took Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o for a mid-match pint when he played at Ashton Gate.

Craig Richardson is head groundsman at Bristol City FC, whose proposed new stadium in Ashton Vale could deliver Bristol its dream of hosting World Cup football in 2018.

The city is up against 15 other candidates to be one of 12 venues in England's 2018 or 2022 World Cup bid.

And were the West Country to secure a deserved berth in England's bid, Craig could be the man on the mower in the middle of it all, responsible for delivering a stage which the eyes of the entire world will be scrutinising.

He is well-versed in mixing with the stars, exemplified by a cheeky pint with Inter Milan striker and three-times African footballer of the year Samuel Eto'o.

The Cameroon legend was playing for Real Mallorca when they dismantled Danny Wilson's Bristol City 6-2 in a pre-season friendly at Ashton Gate in August 2003.

Subbed at half-time after scoring the first of Real Mallorca's four first-half goals, and unable to get a drink in the ground, Eto'o followed Mr Richardson and a couple of teammates to Wedlock's pub across the road from the stadium.

The African player of the year was the subject of a rumoured £10 million transfer to Chelsea at the time and the following season signed for Barcelona.

"We were back in the stadium with half an hour still to play," Mr Richardson told the Evening Post after recalling his favourite brush with the footballing elite, "so his manager had no idea he'd been to the pub."

It is a fine tale to tell your grandchildren, but the groundsman is hoping he can trump it with tales of tending his very own World Cup pitch.

For the duration of a World Cup tournament FIFA take complete control of each stadium used, strip away any sponsors' names and rebrand it as that city's venue.

The stadium's owners and the host city sign an extensive stadium agreement to ensure the venue is handed over in prime condition ready for the world's best footballers, the world's media and the extensive number of VIPs set to grace it.

One constant remains, the men who prepare the most important part of it all – the pitch.

Mr Richardson, 41, who lives in north Bristol, heads a team of four who look after Bristol City's current home at Ashton Gate and the training pitches of their Failand facility.

On the prospect of catering for the likes of Portugal as opposed to Preston, Mr Richardson said: "It is fantastic. It hasn't really sunk in yet, partly because of course it hasn't happened, but if we do get the chance (to stage World Cup football) it would be unbelievable.

"We prepare the pitch to the best it possibly can be regardless of whether it is the World Cup or the Carling Cup," added the groundsman, who has been with the club for eight years.

"To see Spain, Holland, Brazil, any of the classic football teams come to Bristol would be amazing."

The World Cup would provide the biggest marketing opportunity Bristol and the West Country has ever had with nine years of build-up and hundreds of journalists descending on the city throughout that period to find out more.