Paulton Rovers' FA Cup heroes back Bristol 2018 World Cup bid

Non-league Paulton Rovers are dreaming of a cup run that could take them to Wembley and have also set their sights on seeing the World Cup in England with matches played in Bristol.

The village side will be in the spotlight today when they host Norwich City in a televised match in the first round of the FA Cup sponsored by E.on.

In the build-up to the match the squad took time out to back the bid for Bristol to be a host city in a World Cup tournament in England.

Paulton Manager Andy Jones said: "We follow closely what is happening with the bid to host the 2018 World Cup and everyone is 100 per cent behind Bristol hosting matches in a World Cup tournament in England.

"The interest and excitement generated around our match has been amazing. If you then think about how big that would get in the build up to a World Cup, it would just be incredible."

Preparation for Paulton's biggest-ever match have given the club an insight into the work being done in connection with the World Cup bid.

Jones added: "An enormous amount of work goes into staging the match, but then the positive benefits for the club, for football and for the area make it all worthwhile – it will be the same for Bristol and the South West if we get the World Cup."

The Bristol Bid team are gearing up preparations ahead of their important Wembley date, 26 November, when the final bid is submitted to the FA.

Paulton, a village south of Bristol in North Somerset is just a few miles from the new stadium that would host World Cup matches.

Rob Cousins, a Paulton player said: "The World Cup is the pinnacle of football and if the tournament was in England in 2018 that would be fantastic – the atmosphere generated by the fans will be brilliant."

Cousins, 38, should clock up 1,000 senior appearances this season including representing England's non-league side. As well as a stint at Bristol City he has played for several of the leading non-league outfits across the South West.

The Bristolian is backing England next summer in South Africa.

He said: "Hopefully next year can be massive for English football – win the tournament and also win the chance to host the 2018 finals – especially if games come to Bristol."