This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Sir Alex Ferguson to be Euro 2008 Ambassador
29/05/2002
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was today
confirmed as a new high-profile ambassador for Scotland and
Ireland's joint bid to host the Euro 2008 Championship.
The man who led the Old Trafford giants to Champion's
League success in 1999, sixteen years after taking Aberdeen
to the European Cup Winners' Cup, was in his home city of
Glasgow as the final Bid Document was signed and submitted
to UEFA ahead of Friday's deadline.
Sir Alex, one of the most respected individuals in world
football, has joined such footballing luminaries as
Scotland manager Bertie Vogts, former Celtic and Irish
international goalkeeper Pat Bonner, Rangers manager Alex
McLeish and Celtic manager Martin O'Neill as champions for
the joint bid.
Sir Alex said:
"The Scottish and Irish supporters are magnificent
ambassadors for their countries wherever they travel.
Bringing the European Championship finals here would be the
perfect reward for them and long overdue.
"I know that the two Football Associations and the
Scottish and Irish Governments are determined to deliver
the best bid possible to the UEFA Executive Committee. I am
delighted that they are both absolutely committed to
securing the European Championships for Scotland and
Ireland in 2008 and I am fully supportive of the bid."
On the day of the bid submission the project also
received a major boost as Diageo, one of the world's
leading drinks businesses with such brands as Guinness and
Bell's in its stable, was announced as a supporter of the
bid.
Sport Minister Mike
Watson said:
"We are delighted that Diageo have come on board to
support the bid. The backing of such a major global company
with such important interests in Scotland and Ireland
further enhances the status of the bid. We are confident
that the bid we have submitted is as strong as it can
possibly be. All UEFA requirements and criteria are wholly
fulfilled and the bid's mix of tradition and innovation
will ensure that Scotland and Ireland have an excellent
chance of hosting the European Championships in 2008."
First Minister Jack McConnell added:
"I have no doubt that if Euro 2008 is held in Scotland
and Ireland, it will be one of the most memorable European
Football Championships ever. I have been involved with the
bid at every stage and am impressed by the commitment and
co-operation shown by all involved in this project is
without question. I believe we have an excellent chance of
success which is further enhanced by the major backing of
Diageo and am confident we can win."
The Honorary Life President of Guinness/UDV, Lord
Macfarlane of Bearsden, commented:
"The commitment of both governments to making this
happen is plain for all to see. Diageo has substantial
interests and is part of the heritage in both Scotland and
Ireland and our support highlights our commitment to the
joint bid. Such a bid is indicative of the confidence,
belief and enterprise of the two governments - sentiments
with which Diageo is delighted to be associated with."
Innovation plays a strong role in the bid with paperless
ticket technology being proposed to ease passage round and
access to the tournament. Electronic 'Smartcards' are to
replace the traditional travel tickets and media
accreditation passes.
The media
facilities available will be amongst the most advanced in
the world with a virtual media centre enabling the media to
access information and images on demand to allow
flexibility. The SECC in Glasgow will house the
international broadcasting centre.
The whole of Scotland and Ireland is set to experience
the tournament with quarter-finals to be held in Dublin,
Edinburgh and Glasgow, followed by semi-finals in Glasgow
and Dublin. Training facilities for the competing teams
will be located in a variety of towns across the host
nations including Stirling, Perth and Galashiels.