England's bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup reached a landmark moment on Monday as MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman helped load the final bid books on a van headed for FIFA in Zurich.
The bid book represents England’s formal proposal to FIFA and sets out the country’s vision for hosting the World Cup, with a designated second for each host city including Milton Keynes.
Mr Winkelman was one of 12 representatives from the 12 candidate host cities to attend the event at Wembley alongside England manager, and England 2018 vice-president Fabio Capello, bid and Football Association chairman Lord David Triesman, technical director, Ian Riley, and England Women’s head coach and England 2018 vice-president, Hope Powell.
An England 2018 delegation will present FIFA President Sepp Blatter with his own personal copy of the bid book on Friday at FIFA House.
Dr Ann Limb, chair of the Milton Keynes 2018 board and Mr Winkelman will be on hand to receive a copy of the bid book when it arrives at stadiummk on Friday morning. They will be joined by the Dons' mascots Mooie and Donny and children for the MK Dons sport and education trust.
Speaking about the event Dr Limb said, “We are very excited to receive a copy of England’s final 2018 bid book. This is now the final
stage in the process and puts us one step closer to hosting the World Cup Finals. All we need to do now is enjoy this summer’s games, get behind England and cross our fingers.”
FIFA’s copies of the 1,700 plus page bid books have been sent to their technical team in Zurich via specialist security firm, G4S, who are an Official Supporter of England 2018.
Each book covers 20 technical criteria outlined by FIFA including stadia, transport, security;, finance, football and social development, and marketing.
The bid book was developed under the supervision of England 2018 chief executive, Andy Anson and Ian Riley.
Work on the book started in May 2009 and included an applicant host city process which involved 16 cities which were reduced to 12 at the end of last year.
A team of FIFA inspectors will then asses the case laid out in the document during an inspection visit in August before a final decision on the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups is made by FIFA in December.
The decision will be taken by the 24-member FIFA executive committee at a vote in Zurich.
Mr Riley, who held the same position with the successful South Africa 2010 bid, said: “This bid book involved the whole of English football working in partnership with the 12 candidate host cities, government, local councils, Regional Development Authorities (RDAs) and the public."