Sheepshanks touted for World Cup bid
IPSWICH chairman David Sheepshanks has been touted as a possible candidate to lead England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
By Elvin King
IPSWICH chairman David Sheepshanks has been touted as a possible candidate to lead England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Hours after chancellor Gordon Brown unveiled the Government's backing amid huge publicity at the new Wembley stadium, names of potential chief executives for the bid were being bandied about with FA board member Sheepshanks and Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore among the early favourites.
Sheepshanks said: “I'm very flattered to be linked to the job but it is very premature and pure speculation.
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“While most people will be broadly supportive of Gordon Brown's wish to see England host the 2018 World Cup, no formal bid has been prepared or launched by the FA.”
With his experience on the boards of both the FA and the Football League over the past ten years, Sheepshanks is seen as a wily politician in the football world.
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He has used the experience gained at Ipswich Town through promotion and administration through his consultancy business Alexander Ross in advising clubs, organisations and footballing bodies, including the next World Cup hosts South Africa.
Sheepshanks said: “Through my business interests and many visits to South Africa I have knowledge of their preparations for the 2010 World Cup and through my company Alexander Ross have close links with South Africa House.”
The Blues chairman for the past ten years will seek re-election by shareholders to the Town board this year at the next annual meeting, expected to be held in November.
