Source: Daily_Mail
Let's hold the 2018 World Cup in my Stadium of Light, demands Sunderland chief Quinn
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has launched the city's bid to be part of England's World Cup 2018 campaign.
And the former Republic of Ireland international is taking inspriation from his own World Cup adventures in Italy, the United States, Japan and South Korea as he aims to put Sunderland at the forefront of the FA bid.
Quinn said: 'For a footballer there is no greater sporting honour than competing in a World Cup and I've experienced first-hand the huge excitement a World Cup generates having played in two World Cups for the Republic of Ireland.
'Now as chairman of Sunderland I want to bring the greatest football event of all to the city and people of the North-East. That's why we are bidding for the Stadium of Light to become a host venue in the 2018 World Cup.
'It would be absolutely fantastic to see the Stadium of Light and the North-East play a big part in such an international sporting phenomenon.
'This region has a long and distinguished football heritage that we believe offers something very special to England's bid to host the World Cup in 2018.
'Here in Sunderland we have world-class facilities in the Stadium of Light and our training ground, the Academy of Light.'
Sunderland's council are also backing the city bid to be among the host cities in 2018. Next month the FA will visit 15 places aiming to win host city status and Quinn is hoping the region's football fans will back him.
He added: 'We have a lot to offer football fans of the world and we are fully committed to embracing this opportunity,' Quinn concluded.
'We need the public to get behind the bid. What I need you to do is back the bid and spread the word among friends, family and work colleagues.'
