Final whistle for Back the Bid Leeds - to Host 2018 World Cup

Residents of the Harrogate district are being asked to back the bid Leeds in the final weeks before the bid document is completed, which will determine whether or not Leeds will be a host city for the 2018 World Cup.

If Leeds is successful, the benefits to the Harrogate district as part of the wider Leeds City Region and the people in it will be massive, so here are five reasons why people should vote for the Leeds bid and bring the World Cup to Leeds:

• Major economic boost for local businesses generated by people staying and spending in the region
• Greater international visitor numbers and raising the area's international profile and as a destination to host major events
• Creation of a festival atmosphere for all the family to enjoy (it's not all about football!)
• The opportunity to volunteer as greeters welcoming visitors and helping out at matches and team training sites
• The football legacy - benefiting all the City Region, using the game to engage with disadvantaged communities and include everyone in the football legacy

Back the Bid Leeds, which has been running since the summer, culminates in the bid document being presented to England 2018, established by the English Football Association to lead its bid to host the 2018 World Cup, in November.  Votes have been coming in thick and fast but more are needed to demonstrate the support and enthusiasm the people of Leeds and the City Region have for the bid - and to ensure we are successful.

International Leeds fans are even backing the Leeds bid, with people as far and wide as Bulgaria, Guatemala, Iraq, Malta, Pakistan, Sweden, Thailand and the Ukraine voting for the Ledds bid, so there's no excuse for locals not to log on to www.backthebidleeds.com and vote! A text service is also available - supporters can vote for Leeds by texting ‘Leeds' to 62018.

Councillor Mike Gardner, Leader of Harrogate Borough Council and member of the Leeds City Region Members' Board added: "These final weeks are crucial if Leeds is to be successful in being a host city for the 2018 world cup.  This would provide a big boost to the Leeds City Region.  The number of votes are an important part of the final bid document, so we encourage everyone who hasn't already voted to do so."

Shaun Harvey, chief executive of Leeds United said: "The support for Leeds so far has been amazing, but we need that support to be turned into votes - so log on to www.backthebidleeds.com or text Leeds to 62018 and help bring the World Cup to Leeds!"

Leeds is one of 16 cities across the country which have declared an interest in hosting World Cup fixtures in nine years' time if the overall England bid is successful.

The bid is being prepared by Leeds City Council, Leeds United and Marketing Leeds with the help of many other organisations.  If Leeds secures host city status, games would be played at Elland Road. It's proposed that improvements would be made to the stadium so it would be capable of hosting matches up to and including quarter- finals.

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