Dartford included in England's 2018 World Cup Bid

Friday 04th June 2010

DARTFORD’S Princes Park Stadium has been included in London’s bid to stage the World Cup in 2018, writes Stephen McCartney.

The bid book was handed to FIFA president Sebb Blatter by former England captain David Beckham last month.

England 2018 has identified Princes Park as a venue that would demonstrate the quality of the nation’s facilities for visiting national football teams.

It has been designated a site for one-off, open training sessions prior to games, which along with a private training site and high quality hotel will make it part of a “Team Base Camp Cluster.”

“We are over the moon,” Stephen Jefferson, Sport and Project Delivery Officer at Dartford Borough Council said in a statement issued to www.dartfordfconline.com.

“All of us remember how Euro ’96 electrified the nation, and the buzz around the 2012 Olympics is already reaching fever pitch.

“But for football fans, the World Cup is on another level. If England is fortunate enough to host in 2018, we’re going to be a part of it and Dartford will guarantee a warm welcome to players.”

Mr Jefferson added: “We’ve got something special to contribute. Not only world-class playing surfaces but also close involvement with the community – and a showcase for sustainability.

“England 2018 is committed to developing a legacy of economic and social benefits beyond football. At Princes Park everything from the living grass roof, to the Glulam timber supporters, to the lighting, water and energy systems has been designed to have a low impact on the environment. That’s something I hope players and fans will take away from them.

The bid involves Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur’s planned new stadium, the 2012 Olympic Stadium at Straford and Wembley Stadium.

Article courtesy of www.dartfordfconline.com