Eleven years and counting

Windsor Park under threat

Todd leaves Bradford

—– The Government publicly announce their backing for England’s anticipated bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals.
Due to FIFA’s rotation system, it is expected that they will be staged in Europe with England being the hot favourites.
Chancellor Gordon Brown, who is likely to become Prime Minister later this year, says: “By 2018, it will be more than 50 years since England first hosted the World Cup. With the Olympics in London in 2012, hosting the World Cup in 2018 would make the next decade the greatest in Britain’s sporting history.”
The Football Association don’t have to be submit their official bid until 2010 but chief executive Brian Barwick recognises the significance of political backing: “Government backing is a central part of any successful World Cup bid and this study underlines this government’s commitment to bringing the world’s biggest sports events to these shores.”

—– While England already has enough stadiums of the high quality to stage a World Cup finals, Northern Ireland are facing up to the dilemma of staging home games outside of their county.
They may have to play their matches in Scotland or England unless the government pay to replace Windsor Park’s damaged roof.
The North Stand roof was damaged in storms over the Christmas period and early January and the Irish Football Association do not have the £325,000 required to pay for the repairs.
The stand is owned solely by the IFA with Irish League club Linfield owning the remainder of the stadium.
IFA president Jim Boyce admits: “We simply don’t have that sort of money. As there is no other stadium in Northern Ireland capable of hosting international football, going to probably Scotland, or maybe England, would be the only avenue open to us.”

—– Bradford City part company with manager Colin Todd.
The 58 year-old former England defender had been in charge of the League One club since June 2004 so being the Bantams longest-serving boss in the last twenty years.
As result of the disastrous financial decisions made during the Premiership days, Todd had one of the hardest jobs in football.
As ever, it was results that brought his reign to an end as City slipped dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Now in 16th position but only three points above the bottom four, a club statement says: “Colin has had to deal with some very difficult situations but has always met these challenges in a professional manner.
“Unfortunately, results over the last 20 league games have been poor and so it is time for a change.”
Veteran defender David Wetherall is placed in temporary charge.