Poster people back Leicester's bid to host 2018 World Cup
Football fans have followed the likes of Gary Lineker, Martin Johnson and rockers Kasabian by giving their backing to Leicester's World Cup bid.
Posters featuring 12 Leicestershire people – sporting the kits and flags of countries around the world – are dotted around the city centre.
Lily Chaudhry, 14, who features on one poster wearing Brazilian kit, said: "I love football to bits and it would mean the world to me if the World Cup came to Leicester, so this was something I wanted to do."
Proud mum Sophia said she was in no doubt bringing World Cup football to Leicester was a cause worth supporting.
She said: "It would bring prestige to the city. It would raise its profile and bring celebration. It would unite the people."
City fan Jatin Maisuria, 25, of Belgrave, Leicester, is pictured in the colours of India and Ireland.
He said he would be "over the moon" to see the Walkers Stadium used by some of the best teams in the world.
"I didn't do this for me and for self promotion," he said.
"I did this for my love of football and for my city. I love football, from Leicester City through to England."
The poster people were picked after an appeal by the city council.
Petrol station manager Robert Gamble, who sports the colours of England and is draped in flags of other nations, said bringing the World Cup to Leicester was about more than football.
The 29-year-old said: "It would be a massive thing that would really bring everyone together.
"Who wouldn't want to see England bag a goal past Germany at their local football ground?"
The posters are the latest step in the city's push to be chosen by the Football Association as a host city for England's 2018 World Cup bid.
The Back the Bid campaign, which has included a launch party at the Walkers Stadium and the opening of a store at Highcross, Leicester, is forecast to cost £100,000 – including £25,000 spent on PR consultants.
Derby, another of the 15 cities hoping to stage a World Cup game, has budgeted to spend between £75,000 and £100,000.
As a host city, Leicester would be expected to stage fan festivals for the estimated 200,000 international visitors likely to descend on the area during the month-long tournament.
The campaign is being put together by the city and county councils, Leicester City FC, police and Prospect Leicestershire.
Organisers said success would give the area's economy a massive boost through the international exposure.
Leicester's bid will be presented to the FA by November 6.
7 Comments
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by Bill, leicester
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 2:55PM
“Just as a matter of interest - Can anybody tell me what percentage of an average Saturday afternoon crowd at Leicester City black or Asian?”
by John S, Knighton
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 2:12PM
“Would love this to happen but..... who is going to foot the bill for the constuction of 12,500 extra seats?!!!”
by Paul, Leicester
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 12:14PM
“Does it matter what skin colour is portrayed, with Nottingham effectively out of the running Leicesters must be half way there and as its highly likely we will have some of the rugby world cup games being played here as well Leicester will possibly have people from all over the world visiting.”
by R, Leicester
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 11:17AM
“Daniel, You seem to be upset about the race of the people in question - perhaps you are one of the PC mob? Seriously though, if all the people in the picture are Leicester citizens, does their race, hair colour, shoe size really matter that much?”
by Daniel, Leicester
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 10:39AM
“well heres the proof of what leicester is now and what it will be presented as to the rest of the country / world! 3 posters = 2 asian pictures and 1 white!! let the lefty comments begin below! ready....NOW!!!”