THE LEICESTER Tigers have given their backing to Leicester’s bid to be a World Cup host city. 
 
The Guinness Premiership champions – who are also hoping to host the Rugby World Cup in 2015 – have offered their facilities as part of Leicester’s bid. 
 
Managing director David Clayton said: “It would be a major achievement for a city to host World Cup events in rugby and football in the space of just a few years. 
 
“We would be delighted if Leicester was successful in its bid and we are exploring if it would be possible for visiting football squads to use any of our facilities in their preparations for World Cup fixtures.” 
 
Jordan Crane, the Tigers’ number eight and a keen football fan, has given his backing to the bid too. 
 
“As someone who’s played both football and rugby, I love both sports,” he said. 
 
“It would be brilliant to bring the World Cup to Leicester. We’ve got the facilities and we’ve got the fans, which is why I think Leicester would make a great World Cup city.” 
 
The Tigers’ Welford Road stadium and their training facilities at Oadby have been included in Leicester’s outline bid, which was delivered to the England 2018 bid team today (8th). 
 
The final bid will be submitted on November 6th, with the successful host cities expected to be announced in December. 
 
People wanting to support the city’s bid are being urged to choose Leicester as their preferred host city on the England 2018 bid website. 
 
Votes for Leicester can be cast at: www.england2018bid.com 
 
Although the public vote alone won’t secure Leicester’s place amongst the cities that will host World Cup games, local enthusiasm will be a major factor for the Football Association (FA) when it chooses its partner cities for England’s bid. 
 
 
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