Everton manager David Moyes said: "Football really matters to people here; it's something which is much more than a pastime – it is a genuine passion.

“It would be unthinkable for England to stage a World Cup without this city being a key player. I would urge everyone in the city – be a Blue or Red – to get right behind this bid. We can't afford to miss out on what could be a magnificent event."

Liverpool, as we all know, has plenty of form for football, so if the selectors know their history the bid already has a head start.

Not only did Goodison host Pele’s Brazil and Eusebio’s Portugal in 1966, but Liverpool has more title wins than any other city, has teams standing at one and two in the list of most league points collected, a 100% appearance record in the top flight and, of course, invented goal nets.

But it’s not past glories that the bid will rely on.

Having invested £18m in youth football since 1999, Liverpool City Council are fully confident they’ll be turning out new Wayne Rooneys, Steven Gerrards, and Michael Owens for the 2018 World Cup.

A breakthrough player in that tournament might be eleven years old today.

Speaking at the opening of the £3m Reggie Smith playing fields in south Liverpool, Cllr Bradley said: “Our bid to be a World Cup Host City for England is built on maximising the role football can play in our communities, and we intend to keep investing in the sport to ensure our youngsters have a chance of competing at the very highest levels.’’

Such a commitment will go a long way with the 2018 selectors.

But with 15 other competing UK cities and more than a year until the host country is decided, it’s still a long shot.

TO SHOW your support for Liverpool’s bid, visit www.england2018bid.com