Durham Cricket Club has pledged it’s support behind Sunderland’s host city bid for England’s proposal to stage the 2018 World Cup.

Players and staff including Ashes winning batsman Paul Collingwood are certain that Sunderland can be a fantastic host city if given the chance.

Collingwood said: “I’ve seen some great matches at the Stadium of Light and the atmosphere in the ground can be phenomenal. The thought that we could see World Cup games played there is very exciting and I know that the people of Sunderland and the North East would make every match a really special occasion. The Sunderland public are hugely passionate about football and North East England is renowned for providing a warm welcome to visitors. So, I am absolutely sure that Sunderland would be a brilliant host city for the football World Cup and stage a very special event that will showcase the region around the globe.

Sunderland’s bid features Durham CCC as a first-class facility for the use of teams competing in the tournament. The proposal incorporates locations and organisations from across the North East and is designed to share the benefits of hosting World Cup football as widely as possible throughout the region.

Niall Quinn, Sunderland AFC chairman, added: “We’re delighted that Durham County Cricket Club has agreed to be part of the Sunderland 2018 bid. Durham is a great club that really enhances our proposal and we want to make Chester-le-Street and Durham, and their people, key aspects of hosting World Cup games in 2018.”