The Sheffield 2018 / 2022 team will deliver their final FIFA World CupTM bid to England 2018 / 2022 at Wembley tomorrow alongside the 15 other Applicant Host Cities. If England is chosen to host the games, Sheffield could be set to stage international matches and fan parks – welcoming the world to the city.
England 2018 has invited 16 people to deliver the document: 10 from the official Sheffield 2018 bid team, including representatives from Sheffield City Council, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Sheffield & Hallamshire FA; and 6 who represent the theme and energy of the bid, including Sheffield 2018 ambassadors Brian Deane and David Hirst and Elliot Ned and Dennis Liao who are the faces of Sheffield’s 2018 FIFA World Cup bid.
Elliot and Dennis, of Lydgate Junior School in Sheffield, have been involved in the bid every step of the way from the inspection visits, down to the making of the Sheffield 2018 films and appearing on the front of the final bid document.
Dennis said: “I am very proud to be part of Sheffield’s World Cup bid. I met my best friend Elliot after the first part of this campaign. At first we didn’t talk to each other but now we are best friends.
“I think Sheffield should be hosting the World Cup in 2018 because it’s a friendly place with great people and we’re all mad about football.”
Elliot added: “If Sheffield became a Candidate Host City it would mean a lot in the Region and Sheffield. It would also mean that every footy fan in Sheffield would be able to see world football with the greatest players in the world.
“Being in this campaign has been brilliant. I have made many new friends. Please choose Sheffield!”
Councillor Paul Scriven, Leader of Sheffield City Council, commented: “Sheffield is the birthplace of football where Sheffield FC was founded in 1857. The same spark of passion can still be found in 5000 teams throughout Sheffield and Hallamshire, including our two professional clubs. We also have a wealth of great hotels and some of the most scenic countryside only minutes away from the city centre.
“We hope that England 2018 / 2022 and FIFA will appreciate Sheffield’s passion for the game and see that we are prepared to welcome and entertain international visitors from across the world. We really are ready to make sure every game is a home game in Sheffield!”
The successful Applicant Host Cities will be announced on 16th December 2009. Therefore, it’s not too late to vote for Sheffield if you haven’t already done so. Please text Sheffield to 62018 or visit www.sheffield2018.co.uk.