The Lord Mayor says he has been bowled over by Sheffield's sporting facilities since his post began three months ago, and is calling for the city to shout about them to secure Sheffield's 2018 FIFA World Cup bid.
The Lord Mayor Cllr Alan Law says some of the 200 plus events he has attended since starting his new role three months ago have opened his eyes to just how diverse and prestigious Sheffield's sporting facilities are.
He is now giving his backing to Sheffield's campaign to become a host city in a successful England 2018 World Cup bid and wants the whole city to join him.
He said: "To me Sheffield is England's city of sport. Not only have we got the facilities for the sport but we have the management which is phenomenal. They are renowned nationally and internationally for managing these major events."
His thoughts were echoed when cultural ambassadors from Shangai visited Sheffield to learn how the city hosts major events and visited Sheffield International Venues-managed facilities including Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.
The Lord Mayor added: "The Shanghai visit was a great credit to what's happening here.
"On another occasion when I attended the National Lifesaving Championships at Ponds Forge, I asked 'Why Sheffield?' and the response was that the management backing they received was so good and now they book the venue three years in advance. I've also been introduced to Baton Twirling and Goalball. There is just so much going on in Sheffield."
Although originally from Barnsley, the Lord Mayor has supported Sheffield United for the last 40 years.
He added: "My best memories of football have been watching Sheffield United and seeing them grow with players like Brian Deane, Tony Currie and Alan Woodward coming through the ranks.
"Even though I'm a United fan I am proud of both teams and everyone in Sheffield needs to get behind the bid because this is about the whole city, not just one football team.
"We have got everything in the city to host the World Cup. We have the transport systems in place; we have the hotels, the restaurants, the facilities and the management. We are world class, but we need to shout about it and show how we embrace football, diversity and contrast.
"I am immensely proud of Sheffield and how it has grown and I hope the city gets this bid by texting England to 62018, signing up at Morrisons, or registering their vote on the England2018 website as Sheffield definitely deserves it."
