World Cup would bring £100million and Wembley of South to Plymouth

A SUCCESSFUL bid to host World Cup games in Plymouth would speed up plans to create the "Wembley of the South West", according to Argyle bosses.

The club's executive director, Keith Todd, told decision-makers at a Westminster reception to promote the bid, that it would provide an economic kick-start not seen since the rebuilding of the city following the Second World War.

And Mr Todd used the Commons event to issue a rallying cry for people in Plymouth and across Devon and Cornwall to get behind the ambitious move.

Bid chairman Douglas Fletcher said that bringing World Cup matches to Plymouth in 2018 would be worth at least £100 million to the economy of Devon and Cornwall.

Among those lining up to back the consortium's bid were the Pilgrims' manager, Paul Sturrock, and head coach, Paul Mariner, together with all four of the area's MPs, Alison Seabeck, Linda Gilroy, Gary Streeter, and Colin Breed.

Also attending the reception were other members of the consortium including the University of Plymouth and the city council.

Mr Todd said: "The World Cup is the biggest media event in the whole world.

"We would see a huge economic stimulus, I would suggest not seen since the rebuilding of Plymouth in the 1950s."

It would not only attract inward investment but also speed it up, he said.

"The World cup is entirely complementary of everything we are going to do with Plymouth Argyle," said Mr Todd.

"We are going to create the Wembley of the South West. The World Cup accelerates that."

Mr Todd added: "The difference between winning and losing is getting people galvanised – to believe they can get it. This World Cup in Plymouth is there for the taking."

Mr Mariner said: "This is a unique bid. The area has so much to offer. The people of the South West would welcome everybody with open arms and they would benefit financially."

Mr Sturrock said: "This would be fantastic. Kids of today need role models. If Brazil were to turn up, what's better than that?"

Cllr Glenn Jordan, the city council's cabinet member for leisure, culture, and sport, said: "The benefits don't just affect football. There are cultural opportunities as well. It does put Plymouth on the map."

Ms Seabeck, Labour MP for Plymouth Devonport, said: "If you look at other major sporting economies in the UK and other parts of the world they act as real catalysts for economic regeneration. The prospects for Plymouth and the wider sub-region are fantastic."

Mrs Gilroy, Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton, said: "There's every good reason why Plymouth should be part of the England World Cup. If we don't put our case we won't be considered."

Mr Streeter, Tory MP for South West Devon, said: "I think it's a very exciting bid and high time the people of Plymouth, and Devon and Cornwall became more ambitious for our region. We are all behind it."

Mr Fletcher said: "We wanted to make sure central government understood the importance of the economic impact that this will have on Devon and Cornwall. It's huge – a minimum of £100 million.

"It's enabled us to showcase what a fantastic area we have got."

The consortium – and the 15 cities it is up against – now has until November 26 to put together a submission to the FA.

A decision on which cities will be chosen as part of England's application to host the tournament will then be made before Christmas.

England is up against eight other countries in its own bid to host the World Cup, including Russia, the United States and Australia. It must deliver its bid by May next year, with FIFA's executive committee due to select the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts in December 2010.

To pledge your support, go to http://www.plymouthworldcupbid.com, click on the red square link to the FA's England 2018 site and then scroll down the page to the voting registration web link. Alternatively, text 'Plymouth' to 62018.