World Cup Bid

We lost the World Cup bid to Russia, seems to me we did not pay enough in ‘behind the scenes’ costs. However, some councils have paid up front to be part of the Bid.
In total the cost of the bid, £15 million, paid by the English FA. Here is the councils involved and what they paid

• Sunderland: £421,584.80
• Bristol: £363,000
• Birmingham: £353,048
• Leeds: £272,829.92
• Newcastle: £208,990.90
• Manchester: £144,750
• Plymouth: £136,000
• Milton Keynes: £130,000
• Liverpool: £94,662
• London: £60,000

Total spend: £2,184,865.62
Sheffield, Nottingham and N.I. did not give details of what they paid. The taxpayers alliance said ‘it was a waste of taxpayers money’. I would have move sympathy with their cause if they had said it before we lost!
In a way I agree with FIFA giving it to new countries. However, that should have been part of the criteria and not wasted other countries money in the bidding process.

England v Iceland

To boost morale of players and fans the English Football Association are trying to arrange a friendly against Iceland at the end of July 2010 and prior to the start of the European Championship.
They are also hoping for games against ASDA, Tesco and Morrison's.