People from across Sunderland and the North East have been backing the city’s bid to host World Cup matches in 2018. Supporters have started signing special books at local businesses and libraries and are voting online in huge numbers to send a clear message to the FA that the region is passionate about watching World Cup football at the Stadium of Light.

A new dedicated website has been set up at www.sunderland2018-2022.com to allow people to send …

Sunderland today welcomed a delegation from the Football Association as the city’s bid to host matches at the 2018 football World Cup gathered pace. The seven strong inspection team was given a loud and enthusiastic reception by scores of schoolchildren on arrival at the Stadium of Light this morning. There, they met the bid team, led by former Olympic athlete and bid champion Steve Cram, and Sunderland AFC chief executive Steve Walton. After a presentation and time …

England cricketer Paul Collingwood today took time out of his final preparations for the Ashes to voice his support for Sunderland’s bid to be a host city at the 2018 football World Cup. Collingwood, who is with the rest of the England squad in Cardiff ahead of the first Test which starts tomorrow, is a lifelong Sunderland AFC fan and is passionate about bringing one of the biggest sporting events in the world to North East England.

Sunderland’s campaign …

News of Sunderland’s bid to be a host city for the 2018 World Cup has rapidly spread around the globe. The campaign website, www.sunderland2018-2022.com has already attracted visitors from a staggering 68 countries and it has only been live for 10 days. Thousands of people from North East England, the rest of the United Kingdom and from around the world have registered their support for Sunderland’s bid through the website.

Leading the international support are web browsers from …