Don't miss this chance, says Bristol City captain

Louis Carey fears Bristol will become a sporting backwater if councillors reject proposals to build a new 30,000 all-seater stadium at Ashton Vale.

Bristol City Council's Development Control Committee meets tonight to consider Bristol City's £65 million stadium plan and club captain Carey is urging them to back the project.

Carey feels so strongly about the scheme, he will turn up in person to show his support for the new stadium prior to tonight's public meeting. And he will be joined on College Green by City manager Gary Johnson and several team-mates, including Lee Johnson and Jamie McCombe.

A proud Bristolian, the 32-year-old defender believes passionately that the city needs a new stadium if it is to keep pace even with smaller rivals.

"I've lived here all of my life and it makes me sad that we don't have any decent arena in Bristol," said Carey.

"I cannot believe a place the size of Bristol doesn't even have a decent indoor arena, let alone a modern stadium for football, rugby and other sports.

"To be honest, I get fed up having to always go to Cardiff, Birmingham or London if I want to see a big show or a top sporting event.

"Other much smaller cities have modern stadia and arenas, so why not Bristol?

"If the council turn down the new stadium, we will fall even further behind other cities and become a sporting backwater. But if they give it the go-ahead, it could be the start of something big in Bristol.

"That's why, deep down, I think tonight's decision is so important."

Carey acknowledges the stadium plan is crucial to Bristol's hopes of becoming a World Cup city in 2018.

He said: "It's simple – no stadium, no World Cup. If we are serious about trying to bring the World Cup to Bristol, then the stadium has to happen.

"If it doesn't, and the Football Association lands the World Cup, it will go somewhere else and we will always regret it.

"You only have to look at the jobs and money it will generate for south Bristol to see the benefits. It's about much more than football."

If planning permission is granted, City will press ahead with plans to move from their existing home at Ashton Gate in time for the start of the 2013-14 season. And Carey is convinced a new stadium will attract more fans.

He said: "Although we see quite a few new stadiums which are only half filled, I'm sure our crowds will go up if we move.

"We have to move with the times and people want to be comfortable when they watch sport these days.

"Going to a game at a new stadium is more of an event, and, in time, we will attract more people to watch Bristol City. Those people will bring cash which will be the lifeblood of the football club."