Sheffield’s leading businesses and sporting clubs got stripped to support the city’s bid to be a World Cup host city.
Westfield Health, Sheffield International Venues, University of Sheffield, Sheffield and Hallamshire FA, Sheffield City Council and Hallam FM were just some of the organisations donning their teams’ kit and celebrating 100 days until FIFA announces the hosts of the 2018/2022 World Cups.
Councillor Paul Scriven, leader of Sheffield City Council, wore a hybrid shirt which was half Sheffield United and half Sheffield Wednesday.
Cllr Scriven said: Thank you to everyone in Sheffield who has got behind the bid and especially behind Wear Your Shirt to Work Day. It’s really good to see all the different shirts that there are in the Sheffield.
“Sheffield’s concept to host the World Cup is that we are a ‘Home from Home’ so it doesn’t matter if you’re a Blade or an Owl, support Sheffield FC or Crewe Alexandra, because in this city the support, the heritage and the passion for football means we are all embracing. Sheffield would make a great host for international football fans, making sure that everyone would have a great time.”
Sheffield and Hallamshire FA (SHFA) employees wore a selection of the amateur football club strips which are members of the association.
Sheffield2018 has estimated that hosting the FIFA World Cup in the city would bring an additional £160m - £300m revenue for the region’s businesses. It would put the city’s sporting reputation in a global spotlight.
Wayne Coyle, bid director for Sheffield2018, said: “Today is part of a very important week for England and Sheffield so it’s really encouraging to see so many businesses getting involved in the Wear Your Shirt to Work Day.
“It’s only 100 days to go until FIFA announces whether England is successful in hosting the World Cup so the whole city needs to get behind England and Sheffield’s bid by texting ‘England’ to 62018, signing the bid book at Morrisons and shouting about Sheffield’s fantastic sports facilities.”
