Steve Scott's vision for Bristol come 2018 is a tantalising one, as the world's news crews descend on the city to awake a sleeping giant.

While acknowledging his observation as an age-old cliche, the ITV presenter is of the sincere opinion that an event the scale of the World Cup can breathe new life into an area rich in support for, and participation in, football.

Head for the Downs on a Saturday to see the full scale of the grass roots game in Bristol for yourself, or join the crowds heading for Ashton Gate or the Memorial Stadium to support City and Rovers, Bristol's two Football League sides, both with new stadiums in the pipeline, both on an upward trajectory.

"The prospect of having any (World Cup) games in Bristol would be fantastic," said the 46-year-old presenter, who spent several years fronting live sport for Channel 5 around the Millennium.

"It's a cliche but we are a sleeping giant. And because we don't have Premier League teams, Bristol is not on the map at the moment.

"People who haven't come to Bristol before are amazed by it. It is a great part of the world and a lovely place to live. And the World Cup would bring a lot of people here. It would impact on everybody if it came here and the city deserves its chance."

Despite reporting from all over the world during his distinguished career so far, Scott has not been able to enjoy a football World Cup in person.

He has presented World Cup qualifiers and anchored news stories from previous competitions though. And he has a feeling for the growing excitement in South Africa ahead of the 2010 tournament via his former colleagues in Johannesburg, where he was based for two years.

"When a World Cup is on, wherever it is, it is massive news," he said.

"There is no question about it, I would be one of the many clamouring for tickets but it's all the periphery to the matches which is so impressive and all the businesses which would benefit.

"In my opinion this is Bristol's big chance and it is important everyone gets behind it."

In terms of benefit to his home city, where he is currently based working for ITV, it is the coverage, and his counterpart newscasters from almost every other nation in the world which provide the value and the opportunity for Bristol.

"It's huge. The World Cup is a really big deal," said Scott.

"There would be camera crews from all over the world and they would come and showcase Bristol.

"Whenever any TV network comes to a new city, like Bristol, they will go to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, they will film a piece on Brunel at the SS Great Britain and they will push out all the architecture and stunning scenery that Bristol has to offer to a global audience."

Scott, who grew up in Henleaze and can still be found kicking a ball on the Downs each week, has interviewed Nelson Mandela and Princess Diana, had an on-air row with former England manager Glenn Hoddle and worked as a foreign correspondent in Washington, Bosnia and Johannesburg.

Yet the chance to present the World Cup on his doorstep would find it's own special place on his CV.

"I've covered England from Albania," he said. "To work on a World Cup in Bristol would be fantastic."

● Readers can do their bit by voting for Bristol via our World Cup page or www.bristol2018.net