Liverpool seeking ‘City of Football’ status

LIVERPOOL is bidding to become the UK’s first City of Football.

Sport England is seeking one location to run a £1.6m pilot project which will involve encouraging all forms of the grassroots game, particularly amongst 14 to 25-year-olds.

It says it wants to find the city “that wants this title more than any other, that will do whatever it takes to get more people playing the game regularly”.

A shortlist of cities will be selected and to go through to the second round.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “Football is in the DNA of this city, so we will develop a robust bid for City of Football. Every week, over 1,200 teams play football in this city – including 9,000 youngsters – and there are 21 competitive leagues. It’s the lifeblood of Liverpool.

“We are fully committed to the grassroots game and we are working closely with our colleagues in the Liverpool County FA and the FA through a steering group to develop a sustainable model for football in Liverpool. Having Liverpool as the first City of Football will support and complement this work.”

There was no word from Manchester on a potential bid.