A bid to make Sheffield one of the host cities for the 2018 World Cup has been given a massive boost after one of the city's biggest employers and visitor attractions gave its backing.
A special Back the Bid day has been planned in the city this Friday and the Meadowhall shopping centre, which attracts more than 25 million people a year, has agreed to take part.
Many of the centre's 280 retailers have also joined the effort and centre director Darren Pearce said he hoped that staff and customers would demonstrate their support for the bid.
He added: "As a nation we're fanatical about football, Sheffield in particular has very passionate supporters for both of the teams, so we're delighted to be supporting our city's bid.
"It's important to highlight the significant economic benefit the World Cup would bring to the city. I have no hesitation in making sure Meadowhall proactively backs Sheffield's bid and I would encourage other businesses and the public to do the same."
Meadowhall has been persuaded to take part by Creative Sheffield, the city's development company, which is playing a leading role in promoting the city to the Football Association.
Brendan Moffett, from Creative Sheffield said: "On Back the Bid day, the Sheffield 2018 team is asking everyone to vote for Sheffield. We need to build momentum and register as much support as possible by November 9.
"Therefore, the countdown is on. After this date, England will select the cities that will be part of the nation's overall bid. When this is announced in December we want Sheffield to be top of the list."
A decision on which country will win the 2018 event has still to be made by football's world governing body FIFA, but potential host cities are already under scrutiny. It is hoped that Back the Bid Day will attract the attention of national and international football officials.
Sheffield is one of 16 cities bidding to host World Cup games and faces competition from Hull and Leeds in Yorkshire. Other northern cities in the running include Newcastle, Sunderland, Manchester and Liverpool.
Votes for Sheffield to be a host city can be registered on www.sheffield2018.co.uk or by texting 62018.