Newcastle and Gateshead have unveiled a variety of football legends from the North East to represent their bid to become a host city at the 2018 World Cup.

A host of Toon legends including Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoigne, Rob Lee, John Beresford and David Ginola travelled to Wembley stadium to help present the campaign.

The 600 page submission that was handed over included emphasis on the regions love for the game along with the excellent transport links that are already in place and the impressive St James Park stadium that is currently the 4th biggest in the country.

Former England and Newcastle midfielder Rob Lee, said: “I had 10 years at Newcastle and loved the area and got on very well with the fans. I think what you look for in big tournaments is the atmosphere, and you can play in a lot of grounds and some have a better atmosphere than others but for me Newcastle’s up there with the best in the world.”

Former Newcastle defender John Beresford, added: “When we played at Newcastle we had real good success, and I think now Newcastle is on the map. They love their football up there, it’s like a religion and any international team that comes over would be greeted so well and it would be perfect and you just hope we get the World Cup.”