NewcastleGateshead’s position as one of England 2018’s host cities is a testament to team work from companies and individuals across Tyneside, with Watson Burton LLP’s legal expertise instrumental in securing contracts vital to the success of the bid.

Ed Meikle, Partner at Watson Burton  and a member of the law firm’s Sports Business Group,has been working closely with NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), the organisation responsible for the production the city’s successful bid.

In the final months of drafting the bid, Watson Burton committed its support to NGI and the prospect of World Cup Football in the region by providing the services of a trainee solicitor on a pro bono basis to work within the NewcastleGateshead Host City Bid Team.

Mr Meikle said “We are delighted that our commitment to supporting NGI has played a part in securing NewcastleGateshead as a host city for the England bid to host World Cup football in 2018.”

As part of the World Cup bid team, Watson Burton’s trainee solicitor Iona Sims worked alongside Bid Director Mark Jackson, consulting on the legal requirements of the contracts required by FIFA and the FA and liaising with the Councils of Newcastle and Gateshead as well as Newcastle United securing vital buy in to the World Cup process.

Andrew Dixon, NGI Chief Executive commented: “NewcastleGateshead’s success as an England 2018 Host City has been the result of true passion and team work throughout the bidding processing. Watson Burton’s legal expertise has been invaluable to the bid team and was instrumental in securing the contractual element of the bidding requirements.”

Following the announcement of the host cities, the England 2018 Bid Team will now advance England’s bid which will be submitted to FIFA in May 2010.  The announcement of who will host the World Cup in 2018 will be made in December 2010.