Steve Lansdown spoke of his pride after seeing Bristol selected as a Candidate Host City in England's 2018 World Cup bid.

The chairman watched the announcement along with other club officials, Bristol City Council officials and bid partners at the Watershed this afternoon.

And a huge cheer erupted when Lord Mawhinney, bid chairman, announced Bristol as the tenth Candidate Host City, with City's new stadium at Ashton Vale as the venue.

Speaking on Player, Steve said: "I'm really proud but also level headed because I know the hard work starts now. We must work with the England 2018 bid team to ensure this country wins the right to host World Cup football. If we can do that then it will be big news for the city of Bristol City and the whole of the region.

"I'm sure the club will become more exciting for potential sponsors and future season ticket holders because of this.

"Bristol will be on the world stage in the future and the region will have a stadium that is befitting such a big city." Steve Lansdown

"If England is successful in its bid then Bristol will be on the world stage in the future and the region will have a stadium that is befitting such a big city.

"Lots of hard work has gone into this and we should be thanking Guy Price in the new stadium team, along with Pete Smith and Jon Lansdown. Colin Sexstone has been a great ambassador for this bid and the councilors themselves, including Stephen Wray who has done a great job."

He added: "Hopefully this will help us sort out the issues we've had in recent week. I can't believe North Somerset Council's decision and hopefully when they sit back and realise what it means for the area they will turn around and give it their full support in January."

Officials from Bristol City FC and Bristol City Council celebrate

City chief executive Colin Sexstone said: "Everyone has seen the figures that have been quoted when it comes to hosting World Cup football, and that's important but this is an opportunity for Bristol to show itself off to the whole world.

"You don't have to be keen on football or sport to see the benefits in terms of jobs and publicity this brings Bristol. It's time to be proud of our city and really get behind the England bid."

Manager Gary Johnson was also in attendance, and he commented: "It's a fantastic feeling to be part of such a huge event. I wasn't born here in Bristol but I might die here. It's a great place to live and a great place to host World Cup football.

"To be a host city in the World Cup is huge and I don't think people realise what a big deal it is yet. Bristol will become known worldwide."

"The citizens of Bristol will be really shocked because we've won something." Simon Cook, Council

Simon Cook, Deputy Leader of Bristol City Council, told the packed room: "This a fantastic decision for Bristol and comes on the back of lots of hard work by the bid team, Bristol City Football Club, Bristol City Council and everyone involved. Thank you to everyone.

"The citizens of Bristol will be really shocked because we've won something."

England 2018 will submit its bid to FIFA in May, with a view to hosting the 2018 (or 2022) World Cup finals.

FIFA are due to visit England in August/September time and will spend two or three days in Bristol, as well the other candidate host cities.

FIFA will then announce the host(s) for World Cup 2018 and 2022 in December 2010.

The countries bidding for the tournaments are as follows: Australia, Belgium and Holland, England, Indonesia, Japan, Portugal and Spain, Qatar, Russia, South Korea, United States.

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