Potential Southampton cup bid backed by Portsmouth leader (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Gerald Vernon-Jackson says FA should let Southampton bid for 2018 World Cup
4:40pm Friday 27th November 2009 in Saints News
The FIFA World Cup Trophy
SOUTHAMPTON should go for the World Cup – according to the leader of Portsmouth City Council.
Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson believes the Football Association would now welcome a bid from the city, despite previously saying it was too late.
Speaking to the Daily Echo, Cllr Vernon-Jackson said Portsmouth’s withdrawal left a massive geographic gap the FA would love to fill – with Southampton the only candidate to do so.
He said: “My understanding is that the FA are keen to hear from Southampton. Now we [Portsmouth] have pulled out the FA has a very big gap in their map. They are quite able to bend their own rules and let Southampton bid.
“I think they would be quite keen as they want somewhere in South and of course that is where a lot of the money in the country is.”
The Football Association are yet to comment on Southampton's situation, since Portsmouth pulled out of the race on Tuesday over fears the city council would be left with a net loss of £19m should the city be awarded host status.
According to Cllr Vernon- Jackson, as much as £12m of Portsmouth City Council’s total £24m expenditure would have gone on Fratton Park - things such as 6,000 temporary seats, a new scoreboard, and new media facilities.
They also had deals in place with Bournemouth and Aldershot to use training facilities, as Portsmouth FC do not have their own.
The council identified a potential of £5m revenue for city coffers from fan fests – including one that would have been held at Mayflower Park in Southampton.
While the huge outlay could cause problems should Southampton be invited to submit a late bid, much of the infrastructure needed for a World Cup host city is already present.
Southampton FC’s St Mary’s Stadium already meets UEFA’s Elite Stadium benchmark.
The only shortcoming is the 32,689 capacity, which would need to be boosted to more than 40,000. It is designed to be extended to around a maximum of 50,000.
Southampton’s Cllr Royston Smith said: “Despite the World Cup potentially bringing in £150m to hotels and businesses in the city, if the council has to pay out say £15m, then we can’t do it as we don’t have that sort of money.
“But, we weren’t given the chance to even look at the costings, as SEEDA didn’t originally choose us as a bidder – they just choose Portsmouth at the bottom of their area and Milton Keynes from the top.
“We’re still smarting from that a bit, but if we can we would certainly like the chance to show what we can do.”
SEEDA has since written to the FA to back Southampton’s previous attempts to join the World Cup race.
Cllr Vernon-Jackson, who was in favour of Portsmouth’s failed bid, claims the city’s projected expenditure of £24m was so high as they wanted to be on the cautious side and not have to turn around and ask for more money later on.
The FA had originally quoted them an expected cost of £15m, before any income.
What was the money for?
What Portsmouth had to spend money on, according to Cllr Vernon-Jackson:
■ Temporarily extending Fratton Park from the planned 37,000 to around 43,000
■ Free public transport for all ticket holders
■ Fan fests – which would generate income
■ City dressing (flags, etc)
■ Project Management fees
■ Contingency fund
■ New scoreboard and media centre
■ Training ground deals with nearby clubs.
Comments(45)
My View from the Hill
says...
11:38am Fri 27 Nov 09
miltonarchers
says...
11:45am Fri 27 Nov 09
Big Mac
says...
11:58am Fri 27 Nov 09
My View from the Hill
says...
11:59am Fri 27 Nov 09
miltonarchers wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought this story was the news thread, not the sports thread.
Well done for making a small minded political point on a football forum.
I think you will find the football on the sports thread, as for political points, isn't that what Councillor Smith is doing?
Ted Williams
says...
12:05pm Fri 27 Nov 09
I would have thought that local businesses would be prepared to chip in towards the financial costs, as they would be the most likely to gain.
Costs do need to be taken into consideration though, and who will provide the money!!
MrGMan
says...
12:09pm Fri 27 Nov 09
milton road
says...
12:15pm Fri 27 Nov 09
They have no need to extend capacity as they cannot fill it now. Which is financial logic.
Everything owner is doing is on the never never against the club and not the owner, That should have alarm bells sounding for Pompey fans.
I think Portsmouth's only hidden agenda is the spill off they will get from tourism.
Southampton not only has the best football facilities in the south, it is centrally positioned.
In close proximately you have Winchester and Portsmouth, giving three of the most historical cities in the country. Forgetting rivalry for a moment and talking common sense.
to the west you have Bournemouth with its beaches. Also the new forest.
Regular coach trips to these places during the world cup. Could see all benefit.
With rail links to london being so easy, then it is the ideal world cup venue for the south and always was.
There is also the day trip to the Isle Of Wight.
Portsmouth doesn't have confidence in the new owners, which speaks buckets.
Whilst the infrastructure may not be perfect. It is in place and is better than what most can provide.
The thing is this would be good for the south.
The owner we have is versed in construction and no doubt any ground extension would be undertaken by him and his families companies. This idea will thrill Marcus.
He has already intimatedd the club want to proceed with this idea.
One could actually gloat at Pompey's mess at the moment, actually however much I am a Saints fan. I do not really feel like gloating after what happened to us during the summer. Only when they come disrupting the site or with inane gibberish do I truely feel the angst rise.
St Retford
says...
12:24pm Fri 27 Nov 09
Lone Ranger
says...
12:27pm Fri 27 Nov 09
MrGMan wrote:You are sooooo disappointing MrGMan. 2 or 3 times you have put a thread on this topic and not once have you asked.... "who's going to pay for it".....but there again its something that you want so its ok is it.
But at the same stage Ted the art lovers suggest local business help pay for the heritage museum.
normsted
says...
1:10pm Fri 27 Nov 09
I think I am on a winner.
rjfmusic
says...
1:17pm Fri 27 Nov 09
miltonarchers wrote:Perhaps those who are interested in football could raise the money then?
Well done for making a small minded political point on a football forum.
joenice
says...
1:25pm Fri 27 Nov 09
Lets all be positive.
joenice
says...
1:32pm Fri 27 Nov 09
St Retford
says...
1:35pm Fri 27 Nov 09
rjfmusic wrote:What a fantastic idea. It is, after all, only those interested in football who will benefit from hundreds of thousands of visitors to the town.
miltonarchers wrote: Well done for making a small minded political point on a football forum.Perhaps those who are interested in football could raise the money then?
Actually, it should only be non-Saints fans that have to pay for it - we've already done our bit in helping pay for the facilities. The rest of you should stick your hands your pockets and buy us some more seats. Let's face it, you'd only waste the money on gin and cigarettes if it was up to you.
southy
says...
1:42pm Fri 27 Nov 09
and roy smith is using this has a bit off advertising for the general election next year.
Costa Baz
says...
2:01pm Fri 27 Nov 09
I believe they would foot the bill themselves as they are in it for the long haul. Plus, whatever they lay out, they will recoup through the global advertsing their companies will receive during the live televising of games from the stadium.
I said it before and will say it again, this would be a win-win situation for the club and the city.
BrixtonSaint
says...
3:21pm Fri 27 Nov 09
The opportunities for the city and its business are immense. I doubt Mr Liebherr will fork out other than for the ground upgrade, but that will be done by 2015 as we'll be pulling in 35-40K fans each week when we reach the Prem.
Find the money SCC, it is your destiny.
The Exiled Saint
says...
3:40pm Fri 27 Nov 09
However, Southampton, when I lived there was a “go-ahead” town, progressive at a time when many were inclined to claim the city couldn’t afford building public facilities; a much used sports centre built in the early part of the last century; a very respected art gallery and plenty of green spaces for its citizens.
St. Mary’s in its current state would make an ideal “feeder” stadium for the World Cup. However, it would mean improving on the surrounding infrastructure, which if planned properly, would greatly enhance the area to the benefit of the local people.
As someone who lives in a rural part of the West Midlands, within a stones’ throw of Lillishall Hall (Sport England) I can assure you we are already benefiting from the London Olympics, so I’m bound to say “Go For It Southampton”! You’re a forward thinking city, don’t let the naysayers hold you back!
Red Duster
says...
3:41pm Fri 27 Nov 09
As for the Pmouth councillor, prehaps he should sort his own place out before coming over to give advice
BrixtonSaint
says...
3:48pm Fri 27 Nov 09
http://www.england20
18bid.com/support/re
gister.aspx
http://www.2018engla
nd.co.uk/southampton
-hoping-to-be-allowe
d-late-city-bid.html
http://www.2018-engl
and.co.uk/advancedgu
estbook/addentry.php
Who's to say we can't get some momentum going by getting other English team's supporters to back us as well.
Anyone thinking of doing a facebook group page for this???
Sainty saint saint
says...
3:54pm Fri 27 Nov 09
rjfmusic wrote:What a pointless thing to say.
miltonarchers wrote: Well done for making a small minded political point on a football forum.Perhaps those who are interested in football could raise the money then?
To argue that the entire region would not benefit from Southampton holding World Cup games is moronic - for one thing, just imagine the number of people that would be spending their hard-earned cash here, and the amount of money sunk in to improving the infrastructure of the city.
Unless you're a hermit who never leaves the house I can't imagine how you would not benefit in some way from the World Cup coming here.
It's not just about football - it's about staging a global event in the area.
BrixtonSaint
says...
3:58pm Fri 27 Nov 09
southy wrote:where?
the FA has all ready said no to southampton. it was release 6pm last night.
and roy smith is using this has a bit off advertising for the general election next year.
http://www.thefa.com
/TheFA/NewsAndFeatur
es.aspx
Gladbachsaint
says...
4:02pm Fri 27 Nov 09
Spend the money elsewhere and improve the city.
southy
says...
4:02pm Fri 27 Nov 09
Red Duster wrote:and you are dead right in saying it a pr stunt, if any body was listen to the news the fa have all ready said no to southampton and it was on wave radio at 6pm last night, and you can bet that southampton city council was all ready told before, royston smith is using this fact knowing to well the answer before he said any thing the answer was no.
Just a PR stunt, why didn't they say this last week?
As for the Pmouth councillor, prehaps he should sort his own place out before coming over to give advice
southy
says...
4:05pm Fri 27 Nov 09
BrixtonSaint wrote:it was on radio wave fm news at 6pm last nyte, the supplyers of wave fm news is sky i belive
southy wrote:where?
the FA has all ready said no to southampton. it was release 6pm last night.
and roy smith is using this has a bit off advertising for the general election next year.
http://www.thefa.com
/TheFA/NewsAndFeatur
es.aspx
BrixtonSaint
says...
4:51pm Fri 27 Nov 09
southy wrote:same owners as the Sun and you don't believe what's in that rag do you?
BrixtonSaint wrote:it was on radio wave fm news at 6pm last nyte, the supplyers of wave fm news is sky i belive
southy wrote:where?
the FA has all ready said no to southampton. it was release 6pm last night.
and roy smith is using this has a bit off advertising for the general election next year.
http://www.thefa.com
/TheFA/NewsAndFeatur
es.aspx
Anyway, looks like the facebook group page (Let SOUTHAMPTON bid to be a host city for the 2018 World Cup) is up and running already. Let's at least try and persuade the FA to reconsider shall we?
Linesman
says...
4:54pm Fri 27 Nov 09
St Retford wrote:The council would not pay to upgrade the stadium, that would be up to the club.
I think this is a cracking way of getting the council to pay to upgrade our stadium. I'm all for it.
Portsmouth FC would have been responsible for ensuring that they could provide a stadium that met FIFA's requirements, not their City Council.
Portsmouth City Council had to pay a £20m deposit, and that is what they were not prepared to do.
I assume that, should Southampton City Council be allowed to apply to take Portsmouth's place, they will also be asked for the same £20m.
Do you think that they will cough up?
slugger
says...
4:58pm Fri 27 Nov 09
so come on scc,give it your best shot !
most of the voters are behind you !!
COYR
slugger
says...
5:03pm Fri 27 Nov 09
Linesman wrote:perhaps we could borrow it from your arab billionaire ?
St Retford wrote: I think this is a cracking way of getting the council to pay to upgrade our stadium. I'm all for it.The council would not pay to upgrade the stadium, that would be up to the club. Portsmouth FC would have been responsible for ensuring that they could provide a stadium that met FIFA's requirements, not their City Council. Portsmouth City Council had to pay a £20m deposit, and that is what they were not prepared to do. I assume that, should Southampton City Council be allowed to apply to take Portsmouth's place, they will also be asked for the same £20m. Do you think that they will cough up?
Southampton Heart
says...
5:36pm Fri 27 Nov 09
I'll never forget his out of order un-professional attitude towards us this year.
soton1980
says...
6:04pm Fri 27 Nov 09
southy
says...
6:08pm Fri 27 Nov 09
BrixtonSaint wrote:nope your right there i dont belive him normally.
southy wrote:same owners as the Sun and you don't believe what's in that rag do you?
BrixtonSaint wrote:it was on radio wave fm news at 6pm last nyte, the supplyers of wave fm news is sky i belive
southy wrote:where?
the FA has all ready said no to southampton. it was release 6pm last night.
and roy smith is using this has a bit off advertising for the general election next year.
http://www.thefa.com
/TheFA/NewsAndFeatur
es.aspx
Anyway, looks like the facebook group page (Let SOUTHAMPTON bid to be a host city for the 2018 World Cup) is up and running already. Let's at least try and persuade the FA to reconsider shall we?
but, the countcil a while back did say they would drop out of the race and support pompy.
well england still got to beat off any other rivals bits for the 2018 wc
Tye-Dye
says...
6:48pm Fri 27 Nov 09
southy wrote:And that southy is a very good point, with all the internal squabbling and resignations within the 2018 WC committee we dont have a ice cubes chance in hell of getting it, also they royally p****d off Jack Warner who holds casting votes. So while it is very decent of Portsmouth CC to back a Soton CC bid, realistically it aint gonna happen, still nice to dream though.
BrixtonSaint wrote:nope your right there i dont belive him normally.
southy wrote:same owners as the Sun and you don't believe what's in that rag do you?
BrixtonSaint wrote:it was on radio wave fm news at 6pm last nyte, the supplyers of wave fm news is sky i belive
southy wrote:where?
the FA has all ready said no to southampton. it was release 6pm last night.
and roy smith is using this has a bit off advertising for the general election next year.
http://www.thefa.com
/TheFA/NewsAndFeatur
es.aspx
Anyway, looks like the facebook group page (Let SOUTHAMPTON bid to be a host city for the 2018 World Cup) is up and running already. Let's at least try and persuade the FA to reconsider shall we?
but, the countcil a while back did say they would drop out of the race and support pompy.
well england still got to beat off any other rivals bits for the 2018 wc
southy
says...
8:35pm Fri 27 Nov 09
makes you wonder how they manage back in 66.
any way if it do come to the uk. they will use all the very big grounds ones that can take 100,000 mark. those grounds will get first pick of the apple.
and if by fluke they did pick st marys the local will not have a hope in hell chance in getting a ticket.
a load will go to vip's then most will go to the teams that are playing for there fans, and the scraps though out to ever who comes first from any one.
remember at the last world cup matches tickets for english fans at english games only 28% tickets was made available to english fans. the rest went to vip's and there guess's
BrixtonSaint
says...
8:54pm Fri 27 Nov 09
southy wrote:What are you on about Southy? The largest capacity grounds in the UK are Wembley 90K, Cardiff 80K, the Olympic stadium 80K then Old Trafford, 76K I believe. There'll still be plenty of 'scraps' to go round. As it is the roads into town will likely be resurfaced at once in the next nine years anyway so no extra cost there. As regards the coach station - how do you work that one out?
plus just think of all the major roads will need resurfing that put on another few million to the cost. a new coach station more money. yes its just a dream.
makes you wonder how they manage back in 66.
any way if it do come to the uk. they will use all the very big grounds ones that can take 100,000 mark. those grounds will get first pick of the apple.
and if by fluke they did pick st marys the local will not have a hope in hell chance in getting a ticket.
a load will go to vip's then most will go to the teams that are playing for there fans, and the scraps though out to ever who comes first from any one.
remember at the last world cup matches tickets for english fans at english games only 28% tickets was made available to english fans. the rest went to vip's and there guess's
Tirau Dan
says...
12:13am Sat 28 Nov 09
Don't talk too much about it:
JUST DO IT!
southy
says...
1:01am Sat 28 Nov 09
now how many grounds will be needed. in the first stage they use 2 grounds for 4 teams.
well 32 teams make it to the finals, so that 16 grounds, if st marys want to stand a chance they will need to push there ground capacity to above 50,000, then take in to account rugby grounds, if they can hold more than 50,000 then they to might stand a chance. theres is a lot of grounds that are going to try and get there planning done to extend there grounds, even the football grounds that can take more than st mary has it is now.
we hav't got a proper coach station, a lot of hotels where fans are staying, hotels will put up coaches. think how many coaches come in now to matches, then X by 3 to 5 times more. i can remember a time when there was 2 in shirley 1 in town and 1 in portswood, where are they all now gone all been built on. and how big is the car park in st marys. remember the majority that will be going to those matches will not be locals.
still its a good dream to hope for but very unlikely to happen
Tirau Dan
says...
3:03am Sat 28 Nov 09
St.David
says...
4:58am Sat 28 Nov 09
Linesman
says...
9:37am Sat 28 Nov 09
slugger wrote:Why? I seem to recall that it is Saints' supporters that were singing 'We are Billionaires' when Herr Marcus bought the club.
Linesman wrote:perhaps we could borrow it from your arab billionaire ?St Retford wrote: I think this is a cracking way of getting the council to pay to upgrade our stadium. I'm all for it.The council would not pay to upgrade the stadium, that would be up to the club. Portsmouth FC would have been responsible for ensuring that they could provide a stadium that met FIFA's requirements, not their City Council. Portsmouth City Council had to pay a £20m deposit, and that is what they were not prepared to do. I assume that, should Southampton City Council be allowed to apply to take Portsmouth's place, they will also be asked for the same £20m. Do you think that they will cough up?
Surely pride would prevent you going cap in hand to Portsmouth to borrow money?
Have you no pride?
My View from the Hill
says...
11:33am Sat 28 Nov 09
Linesman wrote:Congratulations, on finding the only two Arab's in the world that don't have a pot to p*** in.
slugger wrote:Why? I seem to recall that it is Saints' supporters that were singing 'We are Billionaires' when Herr Marcus bought the club.
Linesman wrote:perhaps we could borrow it from your arab billionaire ?St Retford wrote: I think this is a cracking way of getting the council to pay to upgrade our stadium. I'm all for it.The council would not pay to upgrade the stadium, that would be up to the club. Portsmouth FC would have been responsible for ensuring that they could provide a stadium that met FIFA's requirements, not their City Council. Portsmouth City Council had to pay a £20m deposit, and that is what they were not prepared to do. I assume that, should Southampton City Council be allowed to apply to take Portsmouth's place, they will also be asked for the same £20m. Do you think that they will cough up?
Surely pride would prevent you going cap in hand to Portsmouth to borrow money?
Have you no pride?
How much has your new skint Arab promised to borrow so that Grant can buy players in the January window?
Providing your allowed too, fancy selling players you don't own, great business brains down the wrong end of the M27
Gladbachsaint
says...
1:59pm Sat 28 Nov 09
My View from the Hill wrote:I'm still wondering why after the news this week about the financial situation in Dubai no mention was made in the national media of the 'billionaires' down the road.
Linesman wrote:Congratulations, on finding the only two Arab's in the world that don't have a pot to p*** in. How much has your new skint Arab promised to borrow so that Grant can buy players in the January window? Providing your allowed too, fancy selling players you don't own, great business brains down the wrong end of the M27slugger wrote:Why? I seem to recall that it is Saints' supporters that were singing 'We are Billionaires' when Herr Marcus bought the club. Surely pride would prevent you going cap in hand to Portsmouth to borrow money? Have you no pride?Linesman wrote:perhaps we could borrow it from your arab billionaire ?St Retford wrote: I think this is a cracking way of getting the council to pay to upgrade our stadium. I'm all for it.The council would not pay to upgrade the stadium, that would be up to the club. Portsmouth FC would have been responsible for ensuring that they could provide a stadium that met FIFA's requirements, not their City Council. Portsmouth City Council had to pay a £20m deposit, and that is what they were not prepared to do. I assume that, should Southampton City Council be allowed to apply to take Portsmouth's place, they will also be asked for the same £20m. Do you think that they will cough up?
Strange really considering where their 'billions' come from.
As for the 'Have you no pride?' part aimed at Mr Slugger (i believe) - i would imagine he does have 'some' pride which would explain why he doesn't go on The News web-site banging on about Saints.
GHamilton
says...
7:14pm Sat 28 Nov 09
southy wrote:Er.....just what 100,000 capacitiy grounds were you refering to then!
plus just think of all the major roads will need resurfing that put on another few million to the cost. a new coach station more money. yes its just a dream. makes you wonder how they manage back in 66. any way if it do come to the uk. they will use all the very big grounds ones that can take 100,000 mark. those grounds will get first pick of the apple. and if by fluke they did pick st marys the local will not have a hope in hell chance in getting a ticket. a load will go to vip's then most will go to the teams that are playing for there fans, and the scraps though out to ever who comes first from any one. remember at the last world cup matches tickets for english fans at english games only 28% tickets was made available to english fans. the rest went to vip's and there guess's
Biligili
says...
10:18pm Mon 30 Nov 09
click2find
Paramjit Bahia says...
11:37am Fri 27 Nov 09
Could there be another catch in this offer of support?
Am I correct in thinking that according to their calculation they would have lost many millions on this venture, so could they be offering a Trojan Horse?
Southampton should do its own sums and the project should be handled by those who know the game not the politicians.