The Stadium of Light welcomes the World Cup Trophy
The Stadium of Light was shining before Sunderland AFC even kicked a ball as the first ever World Cup Trophy on show to supporters as part of England’s bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The Lipton Trophy was first won by a group of miners from West Auckland, County Durham in 1909, they then retained the cup in 1911 when they hammered Italian giants Juventus 6-1.
Speaking about welcoming the historic trophy to the Stadium of Light, chairman Niall Quinn said: “It’s fantastic to have the first ever World Cup here and it comes with a wonderful story about North East football. We are now looking to create a new chapter in football history for our region as we focus on doing everything we can to win the honour of hosting the world’s biggest sporting event in 2018.”
The Stadium of Light which is earmarked to host games as part of England’s 2018 World Cup bid was also built on a former mine. The Wearmouth Colliery was the world’s deepest mine and the stadium takes its name from the Davy Lamps that workmen carried with them daily whilst working downs the pits.
Supporters can Back the Bid to bring the World Cup to our country in 2018 by texting ‘ENGLAND’ to 62018, logging onto the official website www.england2018bid.com, joining the official Facebook site www.facebook.com/england2018 or by following the bid on Twitter www.twitter.com/england2018bid.