Sunderland 2018 Host City Bid

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 to be a host city in the Football Association’s World Cup bid has already attracted backing from across the North East and the UK, and from around the world. Many thousands of people have visited www.sunderland2018-2022.com to register their support.

Paul Collingwood is certain that Sunderland will be an outstanding host city:

I’ve seen some great matches at the Stadium of Light and the atmosphere in the ground can be phenomenal. The thought that we could see World Cup games played there is very exciting and I know that the people of Sunderland and the North East would make every match a really special occasion.

I’m about to participate in what is the most compelling contest in my sport and I know how much the nature of a venue and the crowd can add to an event. The Sunderland public are hugely passionate about football and North East England is renowned for providing a warm welcome to visitors. So, I am absolutely sure that Sunderland would be a brilliant host city for the football World Cup and stage a very special event that will showcase the region around the globe. I urge fans to log onto www.sunderland2018-2022.com and show their support for this great bid.