Bramall Lane to host 2018 games?
Sheffield United’s stadium, Bramall Lane, could be a contender to host games if England is successful in its bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Based near the centre of England’s fourth-largest city, Bramall Lane certainly has history on its side. One of only two grounds in the country to have hosted an FA Cup Final, England football internationals and an England cricket test match, (the other being The Oval), it is also the oldest major stadium in the world still to be hosting professional football matches.
But, in the modern world innovation must meet with tradition, and United’s plc Chairman Kevin McCabe has wasted no time in ensuring that his club more than move with the times. The ground now holds 32,609 supporters, after much recent redevelopment, and plans are afoot to make the Kop stand the biggest single-tear stand of its kind in England.
United have officially publicised their ambition to be included in the 2018 World Cup bid, and any further re-development would put their stadium ahead of their Sheffield rivals Wednesday, whose Hillsborough ground was used when the World Cup was last staged on these shores in 1966. McCabe said:
“Sheffield must be a part of the World Cup if it comes here and Bramall Lane being a venue makes perfect sense. We have asked and we are waiting to hear. If it (the criteria) is 35,000 capacity then we can do it. If it is a 40,000 capacity then we can do that too.”
“It would seem strange not to include Sheffield and Bramall Lane, which is the home of football after all, in the bid.”
“Anyone who visits Bramall Lane can see that it is a high class stadium that’s getting even better.”
Bid Information
April 11, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
Drewbags said:
Im off to watch Hull there on Saturday 19th, we’ll see if its better than the mighty KC stadium then!!
April 12, 2008 @ 4:57 pm
Danny said:
don’t worry mate, you won’t be disappointed! Especially if you get the top tier, if you do it’s one of the best views in football. If you don’t, you shouldn’t get many coins etc thrown on you - I think thats just reserved for Wednesday fans!
April 12, 2008 @ 9:26 pm
Alexswfc said:
Why use bramall lane. Use hillsborough. It is already holds 39,814 so it is already very close to the 40,000 required. I think the city should have matched played there if England do win the bid as Sheffield is very importnat to football. Sheffield is home to the oldest football team in the world( Sheffield fc). So sheffield contributed alot to football.