Big day for World Cup bid

NOTTINGHAM'S bid to be a host city at the 2018 FIFA World Cup was due to be handed over to the Football Association at Wembley Stadium today.

A delegation from Nottingham, including Steve Hodge, the ex-Forest, Aston Villa and Tottenham midfielder who played for England at the 1986 World Cup, was to present the FA with the city's plans.

The Nottingham bid includes proposals for:

A new green stadium east of Gamston, which would be home to Nottingham Forest as well as a new national base for women's football – a Wembley for Women.

A World Cup Park alongside the River Trent

Fan Fest sites at Wollaton Park and the Victoria Embankment, as well as Skegness and Clumber Park.

Coun Jon Collins, leader of the city council, who is also in the bid team, said: "There are so many different reasons why Nottingham would make the perfect World Cup Host City for England in 2018.

"It's a city people the world over recognise and want to come to because of the enduring legend of Robin Hood and our world class arts, culture and entertainment offer.

"We've got a football heritage that's second to none, thanks to Brian Clough and his Europe-conquering Forest sides of the 70s and 80s and Notts County, the oldest professional league club in the world.

"We will ensure that hosting the World Cup leaves a lasting legacy for local people and for football and that the massive boost to the local economy it will bring benefits to local people and businesses, helping the continued regeneration of Nottingham.

"We will use the World Cup to increase participation in football at all levels and promote diversity in the game.

"As well as being the perfect stage for World Cup games, the new stadium will be a new home for Nottingham Forest, matching the club's ambitions to return to the top flight, and we want it to be the new national stadium for the women's game in England – the Wembley for Women. It will also provide a major new sport and leisure facility for the whole community."

The delegation also includes Forest chief executive Mark Arthur; Sheriff of Nottingham, Coun Leon Unczur; Beth Bailey, captain of Premier League Nottingham Forest Ladies'; Julian Bennett, Nottingham-born defender in Forest's first team; Anthony Nweke, Powerchair footballer and 10-year-old Remel White, a pupil at Whitegate Primary School in Clifton, who plays for Notts County Boys.

Nottingham is one of 16 potential Host Cities vying to be part of England's plans to stage the 2018 World Cup.

The FA is due to announce which Host Cities will be included in England's 2018 FIFA World Cup bid on December 16.