England Bid for World Cup 2018

[Leicester Rule!]

You lucky bastard

my fav game of all time with the super sub Timmy C just tearing the japs a new one.

I actually can wait to go to South Africa going to be the best time ever. It is easily the biggest sporting event in the world.

South Africa is going to be a quality time. Probably be based in Cape Town.

[Babylon]

South Africa is going to be a quality time. Probably be based in Cape Town.

Good luck... hope you are taking a stab vest, mace, stun gun and helmet.

[davieG]

It's 30000. I've seen a copy of the plans.

I was talking today to a senior member of the Leicester presentation team. Mandaric and Birchenall were very enthusiastic and professional. Forest and Derby didn't send ANYONE. Their local councils weren't that supportive either

However any expansion of the ground (probably an extra tier on the East Stand) would have to be funded through either the club itself or the FA.

As soon as Mandaric's finds out we've got to fund it, the FA are as broke as many football clubs he'll find a reason for backing out.

[billyfox1]

I quite like the Allianz Arena

It's a brilliant stadium. It cost a 3rd of the price as wembley was built in half the time and looks amazing.

[Radovan's Caravan]

It's a brilliant stadium. It cost a 3rd of the price as wembley was built in half the time and looks amazing.

I was being ironic Mr Billyfox (I thought you English were good at that) the Japanese and German football stadiums are superb.

My joke is about the Hillsborough, Elland & Goodison 'scrapyards' that some fool here considered examples of 'good football architecture' and wanted to show off to the world in 2018 (he also probably thinks Burger King is haute cuisine).

As I said before your stadium is not a bad one and with expansion would be suitable to host a World Cup match. The 'scrapyards' on the other hand would have to be completely demolished and the rubble dumped in Sarajevo before construction could start.

PS One thing is puzzling me about 'Arkan' why does he not sign more players from the Balkans? Some really good technical players here with shitty clubs all going cheap...

[billyfox1]

I was being ironic Mr Billyfox (I thought you English were good at that) the Japanese and German football stadiums are superb.

Obviously I am

[leicesterseddon]

I was being ironic Mr Billyfox (I thought you English were good at that) the Japanese and German football stadiums are superb.

My joke is about the Hillsborough, Elland & Goodison 'scrapyards' that some fool here considered examples of 'good football architecture' and wanted to show off to the world in 2018 (he also probably thinks Burger King is haute cuisine).

As I said before your stadium is not a bad one and with expansion would be suitable to host a World Cup match. The 'scrapyards' on the other hand would have to be completely demolished and the rubble dumped in Sarajevo before construction could start.

PS One thing is puzzling me about 'Arkan' why does he not sign more players from the Balkans? Some really good technical players here with shitty clubs all going cheap...

I don't know if you're referring to me, but I certainly consider grounds such as Goodison and Hillsborough examples of unique and inspirational football architechture. They are not good examples of stadium design in terms of comfort, ease of access, etc. , nor can they be considerd stadium 'designs' in the conventional sense because they are the product of gradual and evolutionary expansion over successive decades rather than the fulfilment of an architect's specific vision. Nevertheless, I still consider the aforementioned grounds good stadiums in that they are instantly identifiable from their appearance alone, rooting a club in a particular place, community and history.

That's not to say that this cannot be achieved with modern stadiums, but most (if not all) of the ones built to date have been built only with economic considerations in mind, meaning that they all tend to be designed around the same capacity and revenue-maximising designs. Our own stadium is functional but practically identical to nearly every similar-sized (i.e. 30,000-35,000) ground built in this country during the last 15 years. My fear is that unless we are careful, we could easily end up in 20 years' time with a majority of clubs in this country having grounds that look basically the same, which I think would be a great shame.

For the record, I don't think grounds like Goodsison, etc. will be included in the bid - and you can see why, given the needs and desires of FIFA. What I don't want to happen (as I previously stated) is for clubs like Sheff. Weds., Everton and possibly even Forest to abandon their grounds in a big rush to build new ones simply to be able to say 'we hosted Senegal v. Andorra in 2018'.

[davieG]

There are a number of sponsorship deals and fundraising events in the pipeline. I doubt there'll be any serious long-term financial damage.

According to tonight's Midlands Today (BBC) the Council are meeting to decide whether to offer a £1mill bale out of the Special Olympics.

[Babylon]

According to tonight's Midlands Today (BBC) the Council are meeting to decide whether to offer a £1mill bale out of the Special Olympics.

I know someone who has a lot to do with the special olympics daveG... the ineptitude I've heard about is unbelievable.

Well not unbelievable as it's Leicester council.

[Radovan's Caravan]

I don't know if you're referring to me, but I certainly consider grounds such as Goodison and Hillsborough examples of unique and inspirational football architechture. They are not good examples of stadium design in terms of comfort, ease of access, etc. , nor can they be considerd stadium 'designs' in the conventional sense because they are the product of gradual and evolutionary expansion over successive decades rather than the fulfilment of an architect's specific vision. Nevertheless, I still consider the aforementioned grounds good stadiums in that they are instantly identifiable from their appearance alone, rooting a club in a particular place, community and history. That's not to say that this cannot be achieved with modern stadiums, but most (if not all) of the ones built to date have been built only with economic considerations in mind, meaning that they all tend to be designed around the same capacity and revenue-maximising designs. Our own stadium is functional but practically identical to nearly every similar-sized (i.e. 30,000-35,000) ground built in this country during the last 15 years. My fear is that unless we are careful, we could easily end up in 20 years' time with a majority of clubs in this country having grounds that look basically the same, which I think would be a great shame.

For the record, I don't think grounds like Goodsison, etc. will be included in the bid - and you can see why, given the needs and desires of FIFA. What I don't want to happen (as I previously stated) is for clubs like Sheff. Weds., Everton and possibly even Forest to abandon their grounds in a big rush to build new ones simply to be able to say 'we hosted Senegal v. Andorra in 2018'.

Here is another stadium then that you would like Mr Leicester Seddon:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71658672@N00/131861633/

As you see it has plenty of identity (though its most distinctive feature, a shell crater in the centre circle, was unfortunately filled in) and it is functional too (open terracing that allows death squads to roam freely and that also facilitates intercommunal rioting).

You middle class English are perverse, you are only happy when you are 'slumming it' (is that the corect way to say it?). But if it's slums you want come on down to Serbia - we have enough rat infested slums for you crazy English too!

[davieG]

I know someone who has a lot to do with the special olympics daveG... the ineptitude I've heard about is unbelievable.

Well not unbelievable as it's Leicester council.

Well if you live in Wigston or the County you're not entitled to an opinion, but stay in the public eye for 20 years and they might give you Freedom of the City

but only if you say good things about them.

[CosbehFox]

According to tonight's Midlands Today (BBC) the Council are meeting to decide whether to offer a £1mill bale out of the Special Olympics.

Doesn't surprise. I have been waiting for a go-ahead on a project linked to the installation of the big screen. Everytime we get something sorted and pass it on to the relevant people, we don't hear anything for a month.

[leicesterseddon]

Here is another stadium then that you would like Mr Leicester Seddon:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71658672@N00/131861633/

As you see it has plenty of identity (though its most distinctive feature, a shell crater in the centre circle, was unfortunately filled in) and it is functional too (open terracing that allows death squads to roam freely and that also facilitates intercommunal rioting).

You middle class English are perverse, you are only happy when you are 'slumming it' (is that the corect way to say it?). But if it's slums you want come on down to Serbia - we have enough rat infested slums for you crazy English too!

I'm not sure what this has got to do with what I said to be honest. I was complaining about the lack of character among new English stadium designs, and that clubs fortunate enough to have grounds with identifiable character should not rush to build new stadiums just for the World Cup bid.

In what way did I promote any of the above?

[Radovan's Caravan]

I'm not sure what this has got to do with what I said to be honest. I was complaining about the lack of character among new English stadium designs, and that clubs fortunate enough to have grounds with identifiable character should not rush to build new stadiums just for the World Cup bid.

In what way did I promote any of the above?

Mr Leicester Seddon, I am sure you are a decent fellow (in fact I hereby formally invite you to Voj to toast the health of 'Arkan' with fresh bison blood - you may also bring up to three of your best lap dancers with you though they may have to share accommodation with me) but your taste in stadiums is very strange.

Is not the Emirates full of character? And the City of Manchester also? Some of the new stadiums may be similar in appearance but so too no doubt were many of the old ones.

In any case why is rotting timber and rusting corrugated iron so appealing to you?

[SOCCERROO FOX]

South Africa is going to be a quality time. Probably be based in Cape Town.

I'll be based in durban, generally warmer weather as it is winter there. Close to the beach.

[Alexikokopops]

According to tonight's Midlands Today (BBC) the Council are meeting to decide whether to offer a £1mill bale out of the Special Olympics.

I know someone who has a lot to do with the special olympics daveG... the ineptitude I've heard about is unbelievable.

Well not unbelievable as it's Leicester council.

It wouldn't be that surprising if all council members have similar views about the Special Olympics as our resident

I see numeracy skills are not your strong point. Never mind, I'll see you at the Way on 25th July. Are you taking part?

[davieG]

So while Willmott and Co sit there, for free in the best seats and get all the reflected glory whilst the council tax payers fork out a £1million. Not only that they are now asking the county tax payers to contribute.

These events should be self supporting, this is not what council tax should be used for. If I want to give to charity, and I do it should be my choice not that of the council.

Taxpayers are set to pay up £1m to ensure the Special Olympics goes ahead in the city this July.

Leicester City Council says it will offer the money because the economic crisis has made finding substantial sponsorship impossible for the games' organisers.

Despite recent cash injections, including £200,000 from Sport England, council bosses have accepted that they will need to ensure the extra money is there to pay its £2.9m running costs.

The Special Olympics is the biggest sporting event ever to be held in Leicester and the city will become the only place in the country to have hosted it twice.

To ensure it goes ahead, the council's cabinet will be asked to agree further funding on top of the £250,000 it has already committed when it meets on June 1

City council leader Ross Willmott said: "The Special Olympics board has done everything it can to raise commercial sponsorship for the games, but in the economic climate this has proved to be an impossible task.

"Local people have been extremely generous and their donations will make a big difference to the games.

"However, it's vital that funding is secured now, and that's why I will be recommending to my council colleagues that we back the games."

Letters have been written to the governing bodies of the 20 major sports in Britain asking for financial support.

The Government is also being pressed to donate cash and businesses have been asked if they too can offer some money. Chairman of Special Olympics Leicester, Ted Cassidy, said: "We want to give a massive thanks to Councillor Willmott and his colleagues.

"With this financial backing we will be able to put on the games we have been promising and make it a great games for the city.

"But it is not going to stop us pressing people for financial help and getting them to invest in sporting opportunities for people with learning difficulties."

Mr Cassidy added that he was due to meet with Leicestershire County Council leader David Parsons to see if his authority is also willing to offer financial support.

Councillor Parsons said the matter would be considered after county council elections on June 4.

He said: "This is an extremely worthwhile initiative and I hope the county council will also be able to offer its support."

More than 4,000 people will head to the city to be part of the Special Olympics as competitors, coaches or supporters.

[ACF]

Mr Leicester Seddon, I am sure you are a decent fellow (in fact I hereby formally invite you to Voj to toast the health of 'Arkan' with fresh bison blood - you may also bring up to three of your best lap dancers with you though they may have to share accommodation with me) but your taste in stadiums is very strange.

Is not the Emirates full of character? And the City of Manchester also? Some of the new stadiums may be similar in appearance but so too no doubt were many of the old ones.

In any case why is rotting timber and rusting corrugated iron so appealing to you?

Fez?

[Babylon]

So while Willmott and Co sit there, for free in the best seats and get all the reflected glory whilst the council tax payers fork out a £1million. Not only that they are now asking the county tax payers to contribute.

I'm confused with all this special olympics stuff... what games are these we are holding exactly? From what I can tell the 'proper' special olympics was last held in 2007 in shanghai and the next one isn't due until 2011 in Athens. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Olympics_World_Games). Am I right in suggesting we are about to spend all this money on something that isn't even the real deal?

[Babylon]

More than 4,000 people will head to the city to be part of the Special Olympics as competitors, coaches or supporters.

WOW!!! a whole 4,000 people... i'm sure the economy will get a massive boost from that, not. We get more people coming into Leicester from outside for a bloody city home game. It's a fecking disgrace we're going to be asked to pay for this

[OriginalRobboFOX]

WOW!!! a whole 4,000 people... i'm sure the economy will get a massive boost from that, not. We get more people coming into Leicester from outside for a bloody city home game. It's a fecking disgrace we're going to be asked to pay for this

Totally agree with this. I dont want to pay for this for Christs sake... Maybe if Blackmore, Wilmott et al had not been lining their own pockets for the last few years we'd have enough to pay outright (if it is generally what the public want)....

[davieG]

I'm confused with all this special olympics stuff... what games are these we are holding exactly? From what I can tell the 'proper' special olympics was last held in 2007 in shanghai and the next one isn't due until 2011 in Athens. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Olympics_World_Games). Am I right in suggesting we are about to spend all this money on something that isn't even the real deal?

If I'm right, I'm not 100% cetain and I'm also not sure of the PC way of putting these things but the Special Olympics that follows the 'real Olympics' is for physically handicapped people whereas this primarily a British initiative and is for those with some learning disability.

[Babylon]

If I'm right, I'm not 100% cetain and I'm also not sure of the PC way of putting these things but the Special Olympics that follows the 'real Olympics' is for physically handicapped people whereas this primarily a British initiative and is for those with some learning disability.

I thought paralympics was for physically handicapped and that's what followed the 'real olympics'.

Looking at the websites this seems like some kind of offshoot from the special olympics, but it's not the big main even.

[davieG]

I thought paralympics was for physically handicapped and that's what followed the 'real olympics'.

Looking at the websites this seems like some kind of offshoot from the special olympics, but it's not the big main even.

Paralympics = physically handicapped

I'm sure this for learning difficulties a totally different handicap but as you say the Paralympics are part of the Olympics and although this is open to all nations it's a British initiative and only held in Britain - that's my understanding.

I'm sure Ultra will correct me if I'm wrong.

[Chrysalis]

what some people are forgetting that is if we hosted it, there would be a garuantueed boost in club attendances after the tournament if england do well as like euro 96. We also get a subsidised expansion of the ground as it would at least be part funded by council/FA.