We shouldn't campaign for the World Cup, we should demand it. That is the message from our first reader to back Bristol's bid to be a host city in 2018.

Within minutes of reading our appeal to win the World Cup for our city, a Bristol Rovers fan and local barber was on the phone to offer his support.

Giacomo Licata, 42, born in Southmead and the proud owner of a barber's shop in Filton for the past 23 years, is football mad.

And he thinks it would be madness if Bristol let this opportunity slip through its fingers.

"The World Cup's brilliant when it's not in our country; imagine what it would be like if it was in Bristol," he exclaimed. "The whole of Bristol must make it happen.

"I don't think people can realise how great it would be. Just think. The World Cup on our doorstep.

"We don't get anything in the West. It's starved of events like this."

His message to FIFA officials was simple.

"I would literally drag them here if I could," he said.

"We've got to tell these people that, look, we've got the facilities, we've got the transport, we've got it all. It should be a foregone conclusion."

The Football Association (FA) will be making two visits to the city this summer, on July 13 and September 10, to assess Bristol's potential to help host the biggest event on earth. On December 14 they will make their decision whether to include the South West in their plans or force fans to travel to Birmingham, London or potentially Portsmouth for their nearest taste of World Cup football if England's 2018 or 2022 bid is successful.

And Mr Licata had another strong message aimed at his fellow Bristol Rovers supporters and the club itself.

"It's all well and good, Mr Sexstone, backing (the bid) and getting a new stadium for Bristol City," he said. "But if we get the World Cup it would be nice if Rovers can benefit and back it.

"I'm going to get plenty of stick off the Rovers fans but Rovers can benefit from this as well. So it's important they get behind it, get involved, put forward the Mem (Memorial Stadium) for a training ground or something.

"My only concern is that Rovers fans will be jealous but people don't realise how important this is.

"We should demand it. First that we get the new 40,000-seater stadium and then that the stadium is one of the venues. I think it's our right to have it, full stop.

"Now is the time to act."