A FOOTBALL club chairman has backed the North-East’s part in the World Cup bid, which could see his stadium used as a training base.

Darlington Football Club was part of Sunderland’s bid to be one of the host cities if England wins the right to host the 2018 World Cup.

Quakers chairman Raj Singh has used his programme notes for today’s derby clash with Gateshead to praise the work by those bidding.

Mr Singh said: “We have the best stadiums and the best infrastructure in place to put on the best tournament for 2018.

“My counterparts at Middlesbrough and Sunderland, Steve Gibson and Niall Quinn, greeted the delegation team at Rockliffe Hall hotel and they were shown around the place and around Boro’s training complex.

“We were very much part of Sunderland’s bid as a potential training base for one of the competing nations, so obviously we have our fingers crossed.

“But I’d like to congratulate Sunderland and Newcastle for the bids they put together. I believe they’ve given the FA every possible chance of winning.

“As I’ve said before, to welcome the World Cup to the North-East again would be a mouthwatering proposition.

“We all wait with baited breath until Fifa make a decision in December, but I’m confident we have put the best bid together.”

Six Fifa inspectors toured five prospective host stadiums during their visit to England this week.