Portsmouth's City of Football wins wide backing
Wednesday, 16th Jul 2014 21:57 by pompey-fans.com staff

Politicians are throwing their weight behind Portsmouth’s bid to beat Manchester and Nottingham to become the UK's City of Football.

An event at Portsmouth Guildhall allowed all parties to promote the importance to the city of winning the campaign.

The winner will be awarded up to £1.6m by Sport England over a two-year training programme to help increase the number of young people playing football.

Council leader Cllr Donna Jones told The News: ‘No city has a passion for football to match Portsmouth. We’ve made a fantastic start to becoming the City of Football and I’m sure the whole city’s right behind us. This bid is made even more significant by the fact that Portsmouth has the largest fan-owned football club in the country.’

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Cllr Steven Wylie said: ‘Whether we are at the top of the league or in the bottom leagues, this city lives and breathes football. Like we say we’re part of the Royal Navy, we’re certainly part of the football family of this country.’

David Williams, the council’s chief executive, said: ‘Football is at the heart of this city, it’s part of its heart and soul. Football participation is key in engaging people in community activity and in improving their health and activity levels, so that as years go on, they are healthier and fitter, so there are a whole raft of positive aspects around football.

The judges will visit Portsmouth in September before deciding on a bid that has the full backing of Pompey, The News and other organisations.