midfielder
Well-Known Member
Poms think we have a good bid..
http://www.theworldgame.com.au/australia/england-praise-aussie-world-cup-bid-288546
England praise Aussie World Cup bid
10 February 2010 | 12:52 - SBS EXCLUSIVE
England 2018 Ltd's chief of staff Simon Greenberg, the man entrusted with honing the and fine-tuning the country's 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids, has saluted the "stiff" competition provided by Australia but remains confident of prevailing in FIFA's corridors of power.
The hot favourite for 2018 as a groundswell builds for the tournament to return to Europe after South Africa and South America enjoy hosting rights, the English bid has overcome a series of hiccups with the appointment of Chelsea communications guru Greenberg last December coinciding with a refocusing and renewed sense of purpose.
"We have a huge amount of respect for Australia's bid and FFA's chairman Frank Lowy is very well known over here," Greenberg told The World Game from the UK.
"His new Westfield shopping complex in west London is the biggest in Europe, so nobody is going to underestimate him as a businessman.
"It's no surprise to us that he's put together, with a number of others, such a capable and strong bid for two World Cups.
"We have excellent relations with the Australians and it's hard to fathom how things will pan out. But I'd say that we're feeling quietly confident at this stage (about 2018).''
World Football Insider, which assesses and gives points out of 100 to the merits of the 10 World Cup bids across various criteria, has put England just two points ahead of second ranked Australia for hosting rights, with Qatar and Russia a point further back, one ahead of USA.
Greenberg, who is also in charge of the bid team's communications, doesn't argue with that assessment.
He is wary of over-playing his hand despite the fact that it will take a seismic shift in sentiments for a European nation not to land the 2018 World Cup with joint bids by Spain and Portugal and Netherlands and Belgium also in the mix.
There is also a sentimental push for England hosts and winners in 1966 - to be chosen again.
"We're looking forward rather than backwards. There's a huge passion for football in England that goes right into the fabric of society," Greenberg insisted.
"Any team that comes to England will have a ready-made community to support them in sold out stadiums of which 16 are in consideration, including new state of the art grounds in Plymouth, Bristol and possibly Perennial strugglers Liverpool.
"There will also be stadiums like Wembley, St James' Park, the City of Manchester Stadium and Old Trafford available.
"It's a complex landscape with so many bidders and that makes it a hard fight. The last time around Brazil (for 2014) was just about the only bidder."
Greenberg rates Australia among "the best" bidders outside of Europe.
"You (Australia) have iconic stadiums and huge passion for sport in general, it's a new football frontier and there is clearly a very saleable story there to be told and to be sold," he explained.
England's bid is underwritten to the tune of $700 million by the British government, which includes security, infrastructure and tax guarantees. The government has also come forward with a $5 million cash loan.
Greenberg is wary of the favourites tag attached to the English, who will officially table their dual bid along with their rivals in May before a final decision is made in December.
"Being favourites 10 months out isn't necessarily a great position. You need to favourites going into the final vote. That's when it counts," he added.
"Paris was the hit favourite to host the 2012 Olympics up until the final days, yet London got it in the end. So we are very cautious.