Will the Worlds’ best be based at Stoke in 2018?

Stoke City are certainly ‘backing the bid’ as England place themselves in the vote for hosting the 2018 World Cup. Stoke City’s Clayton Wood training ground is one of the designated bases for a national team within the midlands, so with only 2 days before FIFA’s decision day in Zurich, the club will hope that they can house top notch quality players in the midst of the finals. Not only that but The Britannia Stadium will become a public training facility, for fans to watch a national team for free as they train for their next cup game.
After a total £7 million investment, Clayton Wood Training Ground was built with premier class facilities, with the purpose to produce home grown talent, improve training for the current first team and attract higher profile players to the club. The ground was completed earlier this season boasting nine changing rooms, a gymnasium, medical facilities, hydrotherapy pool, dining room, and administrative offices, all within a two-storey, 1,800 square metre building.

Stoke City’s support of the World Cup bid, along with many other clubs and fans, has been phenomenal. Supermarket chain Morrisons delivered 1.6million customer signatures, and also various famous faces are ‘backing the bid’, such as actor and West Ham fan Ray Winston, presenters and Newcastle fans Ant and Dec, and the 1st Wonder of the World Cup Paul the Octopus. But more support is needed, and that is where you Potters fans can play are vital part. By ‘backing the bid’ you can contribute to the ever growing chances of our proud nation hosting the biggest show on earth for the first time in 50 years, and the biggest bonus: you may witness some of the world`s most renowned players, within some of the greatest national teams, training right here at the Brit!
I am certainly backing the bid so the big question is, are you? My small message to you, fellow Potters fans, is simple: (cue Land of Hope and Glory) we are England and we invented the beautiful game. We have the most fans, for the most football clubs, for the most football leagues, anywhere in the world, and we are proud. We must come together as a nation, put aside our differences, and be that individual difference between failing, and securing the dream of becoming host to the world and its biggest show. So join us all; Ray, Ant and Dec, and that mystic octopus named Paul, to make a stand to have the biggest competition on home soil, and have prolific high profile players right on our doorstep. Wouldn’t that be ever so grand?

Written by Ryan Kalisz