Let's show the world what we can do

THE campaign is growing to bring the World Cup to Bristol – but in a sense, the world is already here.

As can be seen from our front three pages today, Bristol is a city which has embraced people from around the world for many years, and – judging by the fine young people we spoke to – Bristol is a place where they feel welcomed.

The prospect of a World Cup is clearly something which excites these youngsters and, no doubt, many thousands more across Bristol.

If the bid is successful – and if Bristol is chosen as a host city – the carnival atmosphere generated would be something every Bristolian would remember for all their days.

Often we hear comments that Bristol, historically, has missed out on big occasions.

Different people have different views on why this has been the case.

Whatever the reasons, there are now people in this city who want to put Bristol on the global stage and there can hardly be a bigger stage than the World Cup.

It would bring a level of interest in the city which would be quite unprecedented and in all likelihood would be the biggest event the city had ever seen.

Of course there will be people who remain sceptical, and others who are not supportive.

Yet surely a global occasion, with the prospect of visitors from exotic nations, would be a good thing.

There is debate about how much monetary value a series of World Cup games would bring to the city. Forget the exact figures ... let's just say the effect would be considerable.

And there is also the invaluable prospect of fantastic publicity for the city, which would be featured by TV crews and newspapers from all over the world.

There is no doubt that if England and Bristol are successful, by late summer 2018 many more people will know things about Bristol that they never would have done before.

What is now important is that the city needs to be united on this.

This is not a project which will particularly benefit one or other of the football teams (Bristol City want a new stadium come what may).

The people it will benefit are the Bristolians who depend on thriving businesses for their livelihood and there is no doubt that a successful World Cup bid would help those firms.

It would also put us on the map like no other event could.

The message from the youngsters on our pages today is clear – stick with Bristol for World Cup glory.