Quinn looks to build on 2018 chance

Quinn looks to build on 2018 chance

Published Dec. 16, 2009 8:55 a.m. ET

Quinn, a figurehead of the city's bid to impress the England 2018 board, believes all the chosen cities will now be able to come together and rally behind the attempt to win the FIFA vote for the right to stage the 2018 tournament. Full details of the bid must be submitted to FIFA next May, ahead of the decision in December 2010 of which country or countries will host the World Cup. Quinn found there was some scepticism about Sunderland's effort to bring matches to the city, but believes that will be replaced by excitement on Wearside. He said on Sky Sports News: "Some questioned why we even went for the bid in the first place, because we'd always missed out in the past. "Various things have happened in this city, in this region: the shipbuilding stopped, the coal mines closed and it's been a struggle ever since to regenerate and reinvent itself, but this is a huge help. "This is massive for the city... it can feel really good about itself tonight and we can build from this day forward." He added: "We know now we've a job to do for the national bid. We're ready to go. "The pride up here in football and to bring the greatest show on earth here ... it's going to be fantastic." Quinn is ready to ramp up Sunderland's plans, and explained: "What we understand now .. is that the hard work really starts now. "We feel as though the starting gun went off today and we've got to get around and get to the tape. "We might have a glass of wine or two tonight because I think the team deserved it, so many people worked so hard here." Until Wednesday, Sunderland and all the chosen cities had been attempting to impress England 2018 officials. But Quinn reasoned: "The bid committee can now help us, they can guide us. "The great thing from this moment on is we can ask questions and get help. I'm sure the bid committee will really come into its own now. "There's been a lot of talk about the board and problems with it a few weeks ago, but that's all history now." He added: "We're delighted to see St James' Park up the road come out of the hat today. We act as one on this. "We have to send the bid committee and the board away to FIFA in May with such a strong contingent and a bid process that's not going to be touched by other nations."

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