New boss Mariner thrilled with Plymouth success
New Plymouth Argyle manager Paul Mariner has championed the area’s inclusion as one of England’s host cities for their 2018 World Cup bid.
The former Plymouth and England player was originally approached to raise the profile of the late bid before events at the football club saw him crowned their new manager.
Mariner said: “It’s fantastic for everybody that was involved in putting the bid together. I must say, I really don’t know how they did it. They put an incredible bid together in such a short space of time. If my little one per cent, or whatever it was, helped then great. I’m absolutely thrilled for everybody involved. It’s going to be fantastic.”
Mariner, who replaced two time Argyle boss Paul Sturrock, believes that the decision will assist the club with their current financial problems.
He added: “It’s going to help with sponsorship, it’s going to help with investors and it’s going to help with a lot of things. The main thing we are interested in is the team. We are hoping it’s going to help the team. Everybody has seen the plans for the new stadium, and it looks quite spectacular. There are going to be hundreds of millions of pounds pumped into this area. I genuinely think it’s going to be wonderful for everybody concerned, from the humble corner shop all the way up to the hotels. You name it, it’s going to be fantastic.”
The new manager also backed under fire Plymouth executive director Keith Todd who had come in for criticism for spending too much time on the bid and not the club’s relegation issues.
Mariner said: “I know there has been criticism of Keith Todd, and people have been saying he’s only interested in the bid and he’s not really interested in the club. I can honestly say that is so far from the truth it’s unbelievable. This man works tirelessly for the club and his frequent-flyer and train miles must be incredible. He comes down to Plymouth, then he goes back up to London for meetings and then he’s back the next day. Keith needs a lot of credit for what’s going on at this football club.”
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