England Bid for World Cup 2018

[Edmund]

Wow. Pretty surprised at that.

Was there any talk of why Anfield or GP wasn't suitable for WC games?

I don't know the ins and outs but they mentioned things such as poor corporate facilities at Goodison. You have to remember Goodison has been around for a while and was the second most used stadium in the last world cup hosted here. Although it is a nice traditional stadium it doesn't meet their criteria. It has to be modern stadia now I believe and tick the right boxes.

I'm really not sure why Anfield was rejected, once again I'm guessing age but they never intended to use Anfield anyway because they had plans in place to build a new stadium but I think that's fallen on it's arse.

It would be hard to imagine Liverpool not being used as a host city but it seems it will be the case. I suppose more chance for Leicester

[Tommeh]

1) There will be no 'New Anfield' as long as Hicks & Gillett remain - the promise to build a new stadium was a PR stunt to ease their takeover. With the club now £250 million in debt and with no public funds available for construction it is almost inconceivable that one will be built anytime soon (Arab Sheikh or no Arab Sheikh).

2) Villa Park is a hideous old style stadium open to the four winds - it would have to be completely demolished and rebuilt and there's no way Randy is going to finance that.

3) Elland Road is positively ante diluvian. Even if Leeds did rebuild, the current FA wouldn't touch anything that Gangster Bates is even only indirectly associated with.

4) The best thing that one could say about St James' Park it that it is only half finished (and very poorly at that) - the sight lines from the new top tier appear to have been an architect's afterthought.

Continuing your game of 'Let's Pretend' the Olympic Stadim's capacity will be reduced to 25,000 after 2012 - 15,000 short of the FIFA criterion for hosting rights. The Stadium of Shite and the 'New' White Fart Line (interesting to see how long this castle remains in the air) are the only ones on your reserve list that would come up to the required standards.

I would advise you to take a web tour of the 2010, 2006 and 2002 World Cup Finals' venues and then you might realise just how far behind most English football stadia are. You require FIRM plans for at least half a dozen new builds of intermediate quality between Eastlands and The Emirates to be seriously considered. And the candidate clubs haven't get the money and your government won't pay.

But Russia has and will...

Whilst I agree with your point about Anfield in it won't happen untill they sniff Arab money the rest of your post is nonsense.

Hillsborough, Elland Road and Villa Park are 3 fantastic grounds, typically Brittish with huge character and will be touched up nicely and be far superior to the Emirates, new Spurs and City Of Machester. Not something I'd imagine you'd understand however.

The more I see this going on the more confident I am Leicester will get the gig hoping Sheffield do too obviously. Whilst I was in two minds and even a bit against it, it's an awful long time away and who knows where we'll be, plus I'll need a Job in a few years after this degree!

[Radovan's Caravan]

2) Villa Park is quite nice. Looks small from the outside but once inside it's great stadium and would be good to hold a big game. Plus it's better than St Andrews, Hawthorns and Molineux which is in and around that area.

4) They can't build on that smallest stand. The buildings directly behind that stand are listed and so can never be knocked down (something like that).

Naturally, country mouse coming from the likes of say

would think town mouse's pad 'quite nice'...

but transnational rodents like Blather expect something more fcuk offish...

Get the picture?

PS As for listed buildings I notice that old Etonian Peter Hill-Wood seemed to have few difficulties with the heritage mob in 'converting' Highbury's marble halls into flats.

[weluv]

Elland Road was good enough for Euro 96. Proper ground, not one of the modern fooking Ikea grounds like you've got. Seems ****loads have fans have forgotten what it was like to watch matches in proer grounds like Elland Road, Goodison, Filbert Street etc. Only bit of Elland Road that would need replacing is the west stand, as it's 50 years old, has wooden seating and inadequate player facilities. The rest of the ground is fine.

[Radovan's Caravan]

Elland Road was good enough for Euro 96. Proper ground, not one of the modern fooking Ikea grounds like you've got. Seems ****loads have fans have forgotten what it was like to watch matches in proer grounds like Elland Road, Goodison, Filbert Street etc. Only bit of Elland Road that would need replacing is the west stand, as it's 50 years old, has wooden seating and inadequate player facilities. The rest of the ground is fine.

1) The demands of Euro '96 were nothing compared to what is required for a World Cup in 2018.

2) If Elland Road is so 'fine' why did Ridsdale want a new stadium saying Elland Road did not match the club's ambitions (and why did the boards of Sheffled Wednsday and Aston Villa express similar sentiments?)

3) Do you think fans should stay in 'proper' accommodation (youth hostels & park benches) and travel to matches in 'proper' transport (steam trains and horse drawn trams)?

PS Most Serb football fans would kill for an 'IKEA' ground.

[TrickyTrev]

1) There will be no 'New Anfield' as long as Hicks & Gillett remain - the promise to build a new stadium was a PR stunt to ease their takeover. With the club now £250 million in debt and with no public funds available for construction it is almost inconceivable that one will be built anytime soon (Arab Sheikh or no Arab Sheikh).

2) Villa Park is a hideous old style stadium open to the four winds - it would have to be completely demolished and rebuilt and there's no way Randy is going to finance that.

3) Elland Road is positively ante diluvian. Even if Leeds did rebuild, the current FA wouldn't touch anything that Gangster Bates is even only indirectly associated with.

4) The best thing that one could say about St James' Park it that it is only half finished (and very poorly at that) - the sight lines from the new top tier appear to have been an architect's afterthought.

Continuing your game of 'Let's Pretend' the Olympic Stadim's capacity will be reduced to 25,000 after 2012 - 15,000 short of the FIFA criterion for hosting rights. The Stadium of Shite and the 'New' White Fart Line (interesting to see how long this castle remains in the air) are the only ones on your reserve list that would come up to the required standards.

I would advise you to take a web tour of the 2010, 2006 and 2002 World Cup Finals' venues and then you might realise just how far behind most English football stadia are. You require FIRM plans for at least half a dozen new builds of intermediate quality between Eastlands and The Emirates to be seriously considered. And the candidate clubs haven't get the money and your government won't pay.

But Russia has and will...

I don't doubt that we will need to significantly re-invest in upgrading stadia to win the bid; Anfield, Villa Park and Elland Road would all need significant work at best (St James' Park is awesome, who cares if it is lopsided in shape). I would just rather that happen in cities with a proven fanbase so we don't add to the white elephants that are going to be created during the Olympics.

I think the current wave of 'investor chairman' would love to get the tax payers to pay for free upgrades to their clubs facilities. Mr Bates, Gillet, Hicks, Lerner and Mandaric would all love to claim credit for improving their clubs without actually having to take anymore out.

[The Doctor]

I don't doubt that we will need to significantly re-invest in upgrading stadia to win the bid; Anfield, Villa Park and Elland Road would all need significant work at best (St James' Park is awesome, who cares if it is lopsided in shape). I would just rather that happen in cities with a proven fanbase so we don't add to the white elephants that are going to be created during the Olympics.

I think the current wave of 'investor chairman' would love to get the tax payers to pay for free upgrades to their clubs facilities. Mr Bates, Gillet, Hicks, Lerner and Mandaric would all love to claim credit for improving their clubs without actually having to take anymore out.

exactly. they'll claim the money for the upgrades from the government, upgrade the stadium which improves the club from a buying aspect, meaning that they make a massive profit off some oil tycoon

[Radovan's Caravan]

I don't doubt that we will need to significantly re-invest in upgrading stadia to win the bid; Anfield, Villa Park and Elland Road would all need significant work at best (St James' Park is awesome, who cares if it is lopsided in shape). I would just rather that happen in cities with a proven fanbase so we don't add to the white elephants that are going to be created during the Olympics.

I think the current wave of 'investor chairman' would love to get the tax payers to pay for free upgrades to their clubs facilities. Mr Bates, Gillet, Hicks, Lerner and Mandaric would all love to claim credit for improving their clubs without actually having to take anymore out.

No, because your bid is a dead duck. The FA is simply going through the motions - in fact they are barely doing that.

Too much money to be made secretly offering it to someone else...

[Ozwin]

The Sun gave us a 4 star chance of getting picked. It's official.

[TrickyTrev]

No, because your bid is a dead duck. The FA is simply going through the motions - in fact they are barely doing that.

Too much money to be made secretly offering it to someone else...

Your conspiracy theories concentrate on English profiteers and ignores global human greed. Fifa will sell to whatever country makes them the most revenue. That is England 2018 and USA 2022

[Radovan's Caravan]

The Sun gave us a 4 star chance of getting picked. It's official.

And unofficially Rupert's rag seizes every opportunity to trash every aspect of the bid and ensure that FIFA knows exactly how awful and amateurish it all is.

Of course this is just meant to keep everyone on their toes...

[Radovan's Caravan]

Your conspiracy theories concentrate on English profiteers and ignores global human greed. Fifa will sell to whatever country makes them the most revenue. That is England 2018 and USA 2022

If that was the case the continental rotation policy would not have been adopted (neither South Africa nor Brazil are ideal locations). From a commercial standpoint, England are a more lucrative proposition as travellers rather than as hosts because of their large following. But all of this is by the bye - your post is extremely jejune.

Like any other unaided sporting/cultural organisation the remit of FIFA should be to maximise revenue from its tournaments. There is nothing corrupt or greedy about that. In fact if the world really did work in that way there would be no corruption or putting private financial gain before collective good.

Like all other significant international organisations, FIFA is subject to all sorts of influences and many of these are not football related. The idea that FIFA is largely autonomous is contemptible. And the belief that it is anti British is laughable. The truth here is that the dominant national influence that pervades Zurich is BRITISH. But that is not saying very much.

There's hardly a place in the world where the British influence isn't dominant (and that goes for Washington) and it has been that way since 1789.

[Far Post Gerry]

Like any other unaided sporting/cultural organisation the remit of FIFA should be to maximise revenue from its tournaments.

True enough, which is why people shouldn't write-off Indonesia's bid - quarter of a billion people (plus surrounding countries) all buying FIFA-branded merchandise. These FIFA execs might be idiots, but they're not daft.

[CosbehFox]

But if you do that you either have to have some pretty small grounds hosting knock out games, huge unnecessary investment in such grounds, or host cities only holding one or two fixtures.

FIFA wouldn't care and neither would the FA. There were 20 stadiums for Japan/Korea...hardly any of them are used now, the same will happen at Sith Ifrica. They couldn't care and neither could the guys launching the bid.

2) Villa Park is a hideous old style stadium open to the four winds - it would have to be completely demolished and rebuilt and there's no way Randy is going to finance that.

4) The best thing that one could say about St James' Park it that it is only half finished (and very poorly at that) - the sight lines from the new top tier appear to have been an architect's afterthought.

That's why they are on FIFA's approval star list.

would think town mouse's pad 'quite nice'...

That picture's ten years old. The main stand it's focusing on has been knocked down and replaced with one of the best main stands in the country.

[CosbehFox]

PS Most Serb football fans would kill for an 'IKEA' ground.

Horsecrap. Ask the fans from the likes of Wisla Krakow, Lech Poznan and Lechia Gdansk who will move from a terraced institution which makes Eastern European football what it is into some oversized all-seater.

[TrickyTrev]

That picture's ten years old. The main stand it's focusing on has been knocked down and replaced with one of the best main stands in the country.

As he is well aware. Type in 'Villa Park' into Google images and nothing can be found but pictures of the ground in is current state; that of a ground that cleverly combines the modern need for comfort and increased size within the traditional structures of an English football ground.

If you type in 'Old Villa Park' the exact same image that he chose to use is on the 1st page. Coincidence?

[Radovan's Caravan]

Horsecrap. Ask the fans from the likes of Wisla Krakow, Lech Poznan and Lechia Gdansk who will move from a terraced institution which makes Eastern European football what it is into some oversized all-seater.

All POLISH clubs I notice, all ably supported by Europe's worst hooligans who need their 'terraced institutions' (what a peculiar idiom) to wreak the kind of havoc that half the posters on this forum secretly hope will one day return to English club football.

In any case, your thugs-in-arms are going to have to move from their 'terraced institutions' pdq because Poland are co hosting Euro 2012 with Ukraine (and may end up sole hosts as their partners have trousered all the IMF funds earmarked for the relevant infrastructure projects). So at least three symmetrical (you know, totally enclosed SINGULAR, oval, circle, square, rectangular ...) all seater stadia in Wroclaw, Gdansk and Warsaw and eight complete refurbishments elsewhere.

Funny how Poland's good burghers don't buy into this character meme (especially when you consider that many of the old stadia of the Gomulka era are, more often than not, epic monuments on a par with the old Wembley). This is due partly I suspect to the fact that they are reminders of the moribund state of Eastern European football (no winners of a World Cup, and only two each in the Euro's and European Cup/Champions League). The only logical conclusion that can be drawn about their perception of their own fan culture (just like yours) is that it is emblematic of one thing - FAILURE.

One can only hope that the Gulag Archipelago re opens under new (commercial) management to accommodate their anti social elements and those who secretly admire them and others who try to emulate them

[Radovan's Caravan]

As he is well aware. Type in 'Villa Park' into Google images and nothing can be found but pictures of the ground in is current state; that of a ground that cleverly combines the modern need for comfort and increased size within the traditional structures of an English football ground.

If you type in 'Old Villa Park' the exact same image that he chose to use is on the 1st page. Coincidence?

Yes. If you go beyond page one on Google images you will find it. The other shots were in the main too large to use. What they do show is that in common with most old British stadia it is of piecemeal construction.

And that violates the first principal of stadium construction THAT IT IS A SINGLE ENTITY (a dictum so simple nine out of ten ****** don't get it).

[CosbehFox]

All POLISH clubs I notice, all ably supported by Europe's worst hooligans who need their 'terraced institutions' (what a peculiar idiom) to wreak the kind of havoc that half the posters on this forum secretly hope will one day return to English club football.

So you're trying to say Serbian Football doesn't have a problem then? It's restricted to Poland? The only reason I used the Polish clubs was because of the forthcoming tournament and the updating of stadia there. Cos I am pretty sure that there was an innocent French fan killed in Belgrade this season and we have yet to hear of a foreign fan killed in Poland. The links with Arkan and a couple of football clubs, plus the subsequent use of the collective boneheads prove that Serbian football stadiums and the support have always been political tool. To suggest the likes of Partizan and Red Star support want comfy seats and prawn sandwichs when there is a benefit to be a hooligan in the country is daft. In fact, I'd go as far to say parts of the Serbian government don't want Football to be an ultra-policed environment.

As for the Polish sentiment you are correct, they have a history of failure. Whether it's been shat on by the Nazi's or the Soviet's or the Yank's. Long history of being shat on.

[Matt]

Right I appologise before I post but I havn't really looked into all this, took much notice and it's probably a simple, well known answer which I haven't noticed, No doubt i'll still get some sarcastic comment back.

If England were successful in this bid and our stadium was also selected to host some games we would need to extend our stadium, who would be paying for this? Milan? Council? F.A/Government grant?

I'd have thought Milan/The club would have to put some money up at least, even if the other parties do pay for some of it, In that case Milan has money, I'd rather fuck this idea off and use Milan's money on a decent play/decent striker. Players > Our ground to host a world cup game. Priorities.

[The Doctor]

All POLISH clubs I notice, all ably supported by Europe's worst hooligans who need their 'terraced institutions' (what a peculiar idiom) to wreak the kind of havoc that half the posters on this forum secretly hope will one day return to English club football.

Poeple don't want terracing back for the hoolaganism. If that were the case then the lower league grounds would look like a war zone. The desire for terracing (at least for me) comes from the want to be able to stand up during the match without being looked at as if i'm more evil than a cross between Mussolini, Hitler and Richard Nixon

[Radovan's Caravan]

So you're trying to say Serbian Football doesn't have a problem then? It's restricted to Poland? The only reason I used the Polish clubs was because of the forthcoming tournament and the updating of stadia there. Cos I am pretty sure that there was an innocent French fan killed in Belgrade this season and we have yet to hear of a foreign fan killed in Poland. The links with Arkan and a couple of football clubs, plus the subsequent use of the collective boneheads prove that Serbian football stadiums and the support have always been political tool. To suggest the likes of Partizan and Red Star support want comfy seats and prawn sandwichs when there is a benefit to be a hooligan in the country is daft. In fact, I'd go as far to say parts of the Serbian government don't want Football to be an ultra-policed environment.

As for the Polish sentiment you are correct, they have a history of failure. Whether it's been shat on by the Nazi's or the Soviet's or the Yank's. Long history of being shat on.

Cardiff Fox,

I don't wish to be patronising or uncharitable but you clearly have profound problems with comprehension, self expression and verbal reasoning. Now please pay attention.

Exactly how do you deduce that I believe 'Serbian Football' to be problem free? I remind you that you were the one who unwisely chose to hold up, as an example to us all, the mores of Polish football fans, not me. I merely pointed out that Polish fans have been and continue to be the most violent in Europe and that your 'terraced insitutions' ( ) facilitate their criminal activities.

If, as you claim, you only used the example of Polish football clubs because of Euro 2012 then why did you not mention the tournament in your oringinal post? And why make such a claim when the new building and refurbishment necessitated by Euro 2012 torpedoes your case? The truth is, of course, that you completely overlooked this fact and that you felt compelled to parrot the information I relayed so as not to appear ignorant (and in the process shot yourself in the foot).

I won't dignify your stupid, ill considered and immature remarks about 'Serbian Football' with a response save to say that Arkan has been dead for nearly ten years and that our 'Ultra's' operate in exactly the same way as their counterparts in most other southern European nations.

Your post reeks of the vicarious nationalism of the second generation exile and this impairs your rational faculties. For this reason I WILL NOT BE RESPONDING ON THIS THREAD TO ANY MORE OF YOUR THOUGHTLESS WITTERINGS.

PS I suggest in future that you do a little sub editing and proofing of your posts - might not stop you from looking dumb but will certainly stop you looking dumber.

[CosbehFox]

I merely pointed out that Polish fans have been and continue to be the most violent in Europe and that your 'terraced insitutions' ( ) facilitate their criminal activities.

If, as you claim, you only used the example of Polish football clubs because of Euro 2012 then why did you not mention the tournament in your oringinal post? And why make such a claim when the new building and refurbishment necessitated by Euro 2012 torpedoes your case? The truth is, of course, that you completely overlooked this fact and that you felt compelled to parrot the information I relayed so as not to appear ignorant (and in the process shot yourself in the foot).

Haven't heard of any foreign fan being killed yet in Poland attending to watching his local side unlike in Belgrade.....

Stop acting stupid. If you want a response, I'll give you one. No gives a shit what you say because you are too far up your own arse. Nothing more than an amusing sideshow.

[Ultra]

Right I appologise before I post but I havn't really looked into all this, took much notice and it's probably a simple, well known answer which I haven't noticed, No doubt i'll still get some sarcastic comment back.

If England were successful in this bid and our stadium was also selected to host some games we would need to extend our stadium, who would be paying for this? Milan? Council? F.A/Government grant?

I'd have thought Milan/The club would have to put some money up at least, even if the other parties do pay for some of it, In that case Milan has money, I'd rather fuck this idea off and use Milan's money on a decent play/decent striker. Players > Our ground to host a world cup game. Priorities.

But ground expansion = opportunities for increased revenue, thus enhancing our ability to recruit and retain quality players.

That's why the dogfight for places on the World Cup shortlist is so intense.

[intotheforest]

Forest 50k new stadium!?

It's become an absolute farce. The council won't back us or the bid it seems anymore.

Fancy you guys to get it because of the multi cultural vibe society in Leicester which make it perfect for a host city. The multi cultural society in Nottingham is also home to the gun grime