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.”
by Steve, Plymouth
Thursday, November 26 2009, 7:53AM
“Oh and people of Plymouth. Stop moaning and bleating on and get behind the bid.
I for one hope it comes here and hundreds of jobs are generated off the back of it. Plus people who have never ventured down here will see what a great place it is and come back for more.
Improved infrastructure would help Argyle and make it a bit easier to attract quality players who usually moan about how hard we are to get to.
Or would you rather nothing happened in Plymouth and we just continued to let it go to the dogs? Why on Earth would people prefer a different city to host events.
I went to Germany in 2006 and the atmosphere in every town and city I visited was fantastic!
COYG and Come on the Plymouth Bid!”
by Steve, Plymouth
Thursday, November 26 2009, 7:46AM
“Richard, please explain how that would be ironic? I don't think you understand what the word means. Have you been listening to too much Alanis Morisette?”
by Richard, Devon
Thursday, November 26 2009, 7:38AM
“T'would be somewhat ironic, although not impossible if both Plymouth and England's bids were successful only to find that by 2018 Plymouth Argyle are playing in the Blue Square Conference (South) in front of 1500 crowds in a 43000 seater stadium.”
by Dave, Plymouth
Thursday, November 26 2009, 12:49AM
“If Alison Seabeck loves Plymouth so much why dosn't she live here?
Stupid idea,stupid M.P. Complete waste of taxpayers money on something that will never happen.
Sod off Seabeck,you're useless.”
by skyman, LONDON
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 11:42PM
“plymouth + world cup bid = no chance,
small team,
small town!!!!!!”