Sheffield 2018 - Back the Bid

Grant Thornton Backs the Bid

Leading accountants and financial advisors Grant Thornton pledged their support to Sheffield's 2018 World Cup bid, by holding a football tournament in the office car park on Back the Bid day.

Eight teams from the Sheffield office took part in the lunchtime tournament, organised into two groups of four with the winner of each group facing each other for the final.

Paul Houghton, Audit Partner at Grant Thornton, said: "If the World Cup comes to Sheffield it will provide a huge boost to the city's economy, and businesses across all sectors would benefit as a result.

"Obviously there would be the direct benefits through ticket sales and short-term tourism increases, but there would also be indirect advantages such as improvements to infrastructure, transport links, and marketing opportunities."

Other figures from the city supported the tournament, with Tony Currie, ex-player and current community coach with Sheffield United, lending a hand to referee the opening game, and local football goal manufacturer Quick Play Sport - fresh from their Dragon's Den appearance - providing Grant Thornton with Kickster goals for the day.

Houghton said: "We are delighted that Tony and Quick Play are supporting our tournament, and together we are urging all businesses across the city to register their support for the city's World Cup bid.

"We hope that by organising the tournament we will be able to raise the profile of Sheffield's bid, and will be encouraging all our staff to text the official bid line with their support on the day."