IT was not only the prestige and excitement of hosting the planet’s biggest sporting event that went East yesterday afternoon.

Had England, rather than Russia, been chosen to host the World Cup in 2018, then the country could have expected an economic boost running into billions of pounds.

In the North-East, where up to a dozen World Cup matches might have been hosted at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, it was estimated to be worth £200m to the economy.

James Ramsbotham, the chief executive of the North- East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) last night said the decision was disappointing.

He said: “This is a blow to North-East England, not least because of the benefits to the North-East economy – both financial benefits and job opportunities – hosting an event of this scale could have brought to the area, but also because there is a real passion for the sport in this area of this country.”

It was expected shops, hotels and bars from Northumberland to the Tees Valley would have benefited from the influx of fans from across the globe.

The coverage to an international TV audience of 26 billion would also have provided a lasting legacy for the North- East tourism industry, which employs just over 60,000 people and is worth £4bn a year.

Paul Woolston, senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Newcastle, said: “PwC acted as business advisors for the bid to host the World Cup in 2018 as we believed that hosting the World Cup would have been great news for the UK and North- East economy, as well as delivering a world-class tournament.”

A PwC economic impact study carried out on behalf of England 2018 estimated that hosting the World Cup would lead to £5.3bn of visitor spending, with a contribution to UK gross domestic product of at least £3.2bn.

Are there any crumbs of comfort to be found in losing out to Russia?

Mr Ramsbotham believes the business community in Sunderland and Newcastle- Gateshead can continue to build on the positive relationships established with the North-East’s two Premiership clubs during the bidding process.

He said: “Sunderland Association Football Club and Newcastle United Football Club both did incredibly well in presenting the region’s offer in a very positive light.

“They are both key economic drivers and this bidding process helped to bring the clubs closer to the business community in their area.

“I would encourage both to continue to build upon the momentum and relationships that were established throughout the bidding process and ensure that we capitalise on the opportunities that football brings to the North-East.”

‘World cup tale would have helped bid’

THE England bid team should have made more of a North- East town’s World Cup triumph, it was said last night.

Former goalkeeper Andy Turner, a county councillor for West Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, said using the win in 1909 to promote the campaign might have boosted the nation’s efforts.

West Auckland won the first World Cup, a tournament organised by millionaire philanthropist Sir Thomas Lipton and held in Italy. The achievement has since become part of footballing folklore.

A team of miners faced some of the world’s leading professional teams and, against all the odds, won the trophy with a 2-0 victory over FC Winterthur, of Switzerland.

They successfully defended the trophy in 1911 after another trip to Italy, beating Juventus 6-1 in the final.

Coun Turner said: “It would have been a good move to take the trophy to show Fifa or maybe screen part of the film made about West Auckland just to show how football is entwined in our history.

“Although I am Scottish, I am disappointed England did not get the bid. We were hard done by and there must have been something wrong when England went out so early.

“Our stadiums are second-to-none.”