Martin Jol supports Bristol's World Cup bid

Dutch football boss Martin Jol has added his support to Bristol's bid to host the 2018 World Cup, saying top- class facilities are the key to success.

After Wednesday's friendly between Bristol City and Ajax club manager and former Tottenham boss Martin Jol said a new stadium must be at the heart of the bid.

Having played hosts, with Belgium, to the European Championships in 2000, he said world-class facilities were needed for a world-class tournament.

He said: "Bristol is a great city. I came here about 30 years ago when Clive Whitehead was coach. It is very nice to come here again, people here are very sympathetic to our players, two of them were applauded off the pitch, which is good to see, and there is a good atmosphere here.

"But Bristol needs a new stadium. For a tournament such as the World Cup the facilities must be 100 per cent. Knowing the country, I'm sure that will be the case. I look forward to watching that sort of event in England."

Journalists from Holland reporting on the game agreed with his comments and added their support to the city.

Nik Kok, 26, who works for AD newspaper, said: "I've not seen much of Bristol but it is a beautiful city, with a lovely cathedral and landscape. It's always a pleasure for us to come to England.

"We like the old-fashioned English stadiums like the one at Ashton Gate. In Holland all the stadiums have been transformed and modernised – they all look the same. But, sadly, to host something like the World Cup you need bigger stadiums for the crowds as well as all the transport and infrastructure to go with it. If Bristol can get this then why can't it be a host?"

Simon Hekkemot, 40, sports journalist for Telegraaf

, added: "In Holland people like football but here they love it – it could be time for them to sing 'football's coming home' again."

Bristol City boss Gary Johnson said although the match, with City defeated 4-0, had been a steep learning curve, it was a taste of the top-class action fans could expect if Bristol was successful in its bid.

"Ajax play a particular type of football", he said. "They have international players and it was particularly relevant having the World Cup bid night on a night like this. They were a formidable opposition and other than the result we want to see more of that. We want more teams like that in Bristol. If we get the bid we'll get the best in the world."

City youngster Christian Ribeiro also added his support. He said: "It would be great for the club and the whole of Bristol to host the World Cup. We've definitely got what it takes to win it and the new developments it would bring for the city would be fantastic."