2018 World Cup Bid
One City. One Goal.
These are the four words that sum up Liverpool's bid to be part of England's 2018 World Cup plans.Four words that sum up the city's passion for the beautiful game and desire to be part of the biggest sporting event on the planet.
Liverpool is one of 15 cities competing to be chosen by England and is calling everyone in Liverpool and the city region to back the bid.
Stars of Everton FC and Liverpool FC have already pledged their support and you can too by registering on-line at:http://www.england2018bid.com/support/register.aspx
Liverpool's bid to be part of England's World Cup application to FIFA is led by Liverpool City Council.
The city's bid involves the support of both Everton FC and Liverpool FC and also highlights the strength of grassroots football, Liverpool's transport, hotel and tourism, offer and ability to host a month-long festival of football.
A final bid has to be submitted to England's World Cup bid company by November 2009. England will announce its Host Cities in December and will put forward its official bid in May 2010. FIFA will announce the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup in December 2010.
Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "Our clubs, their players and fans, have shaped and enriched the game for more than a century and this bid is about building on these traditions. Our bid aims to unite everyone in Liverpool and the wider city region with the sole goal of making sure we make England's team of Host Cities. If we become a Host City our next goal will be to help England win. Then the next goal will be to use 2018 to inspire a new generations of fans and give the world a welcome the city is so famous for."
View the One City One Goal Liverbird animation created by Finch below.
Famous bid backers - that they say:
Steven Gerrard, MBE, Liverpool's captain who played at the 2006 World Cup and is integral to England's 2010 qualifying campaign, said: "Having played in a World Cup I saw first hand exactly what it meant to the cities involved and I'd love to see that happen in my home town. Liverpool is a massive footballing city and a World Cup in England without Liverpool is unthinkable.??"
David Moyes, Manager at Everton Football Club, said: "Football really matters to people here; it's something which is much more than a pastime - it is a genuine passion. It would be unthinkable for England to stage a World Cup without this city being a key player. I would urge everyone in the city - be they Blue or Red - to get right behind this bid. We can't afford to miss out on what could be a magnificent event."
Rafa Benitez, Manager of Liverpool FC, said: "Everybody knows the passion people in Liverpool have for football. Their knowledge and appreciation of the game is known throughout the world and matches being staged in Liverpool would be a huge boost for a World Cup played in England.?"
Bill Kenwright, CBE, Chairman of Everton Football Club, said: "If you go anywhere in the world and say you are from the great city of Liverpool, you are met with a standard response - they say "football and The Beatles". Liverpool is synonymous with football - it is utterly inconceivable that England could stage a World Cup without the city being a major venue. Everyone on Merseyside - whether they are football supporters or not - should get right behind this bid. 2018 could turn out to be the biggest party in the world - and we want an invite."
John Barnes, Manager of Tranmere Rovers manager and a Liverpool 2018 Ambassador, said: "With Liverpool's fantastic footballing tradition it's an amazing opportunity to be part of England's 2018 team. The infrastructure is here, the stadia and training facilities will be here and the fans are here. I remember Mexico 1986 vividly and the passion of the people was amazing. If we win, I am 100% certain that fans on Merseyside will bring colour and their own unmistakable flavour to a World Cup on Merseyside."
For more information go to: http://www.england2018bid.com
