Plymouth's World Cup rival drops out
ONE of Plymouth’s main rivals to be a host city for the football World Cup has pulled out.
Portsmouth City Council voted on Tuesday night not to press ahead with its bid to host matches in the 2018 or 2022 tournament.
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The vote was a huge boost as the Plymouth bid team set off for Wembley Stadium in London to make the official submission for the city to be a host venue.
A delegation of 16 representatives travelled to London last night for today’s presentation.
They include Olympic diver Tom Daley, Argyle and New Zealand striker Rory Fallon and the club’s women’s and disabled squads.
The bid team will give another 15-minute presentation to FA chiefs next month, and around a dozen host cities will be chosen before Christmas.
England must submit its bid to FIFA by May 2010, and the winning country will be announced on December 2 next year.
Gerald Vernon-Jackson, the leader of Portsmouth City Council, criticised councillors there, saying: “I am really sorry that the city council has shown a lack of ambition and vision.”
He added: “Although the FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world, it is a difficult balancing act between ambition and cost.
“Given the current financial and legal uncertainties associated with the 2018 World Cup, the council has voted against submitting a bid for World Cup Host City status.
“The games would have brought £130million of business to the city and created thousands of jobs.”
Cllr Vernon-Jackson also attacked the Government for its lack of financial support.
Plymouth Argyle World Cup Bid promotional video.
Argyle press conference: Plymouth bid to host World Cup. Filmed August 21. 2009.
32 Comments
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by A realist, Plymouth without the World Cup
Friday, November 27 2009, 5:31AM
“England win the world cup ha ha ha ha ha ha. England couldnt win an arguement let alone the world cup which would then allow us to debate the world cup stages in this country. AINT GONNA HAPPEN Greenish Army”
by Emily, Eugh.
Thursday, November 26 2009, 11:12AM
“I hate football.
That is all I have to add to this article.
kthnxbi”
by realist, South Africa
Thursday, November 26 2009, 10:49AM
“Arrogant british talking as if they have already won the world cup bid, discussing what stadiums will be used when it is not even looking likely that britain will get to host the world cup. Plus, why on earth would they choose home park when there are numerous better quality premiership grounds to choose from and cardiffs millenium stadium is only a couple of hours away. Keep dreaming janners”
by Steffen, Germany
Thursday, November 26 2009, 10:30AM
“When Germany made its decision about the WC host cities, the most important points were:
- stadium capacity
- imfrastrcture
- even distribution of host cities over the country
So, according to the last point, being far away from London is a plus not a minus.”
by Richard, Devon
Thursday, November 26 2009, 8:06AM
“Steve, I don't see a problem with the use of the word 'ironic' in the context of my comment. I suppose I could have used 'paradoxical' or even 'bizarre' both of which would have conveyed the same or similar sentiment.”