Sunderland’s efforts to be part of the 2018 World Cup bid has received many plaudits, largely due to the efforts of its frontman Niall Quinn. Deputy Business Editor Deborah Johnson meets the inspirational Sunderland chairman, who is anxiously awaiting a verdict on its success.

THE last time I met Niall Quinn was 13 years ago. Then, I was a 13-year-old autograph hunter, hanging around outside Sunderland’s then-stadium Roker Park.

He was a recently-signed player with an injury that forced him onto the sidelines, casting doubt over his future with the club.

That brief meeting with him stays with me to this day.

While many players could barely raise a smile, he spent a long while chatting, asking me how long I’d supported Sunderland, did I live far away, would I be at the match the following Saturday.

Thirteen years later, I met Quinn again. During that time, he’d become a Sunderland great, going from the treatment table to the club’s leading goalscorer, and then returning to take charge of a new era for Sunderland as club chairman.

But despite all that’s happened, and how much has changed, the personality remains the same.

I meet him in the Seaton Lane Inn, one of his favourite haunts, where he is clearly at home.

Wandering in, he greets everyone with a warm smile, and takes his place at the bar.

It’s a daytime meeting, so he orders a mineral water, and chats happily with anyone and everyone about subjects ranging from horse racing to Sunderland’s team.

But there’s one subject he really could talk about all day – the Sunderland bid for World Cup football in 2018.

The city, which has widened its reach to incorporate the region, is submitting a bid alongside its neighbour NewcastleGateshead and 14 other cities to be part of the world’s biggest sporting tournament, should England be chosen to host the event.

Figures show the region could benefit from up to £50m of investment should it stage part of the tournament.

The figure comes from predicted preparations to welcome football teams, their entourages of hundreds and their thousands of fans – and with each overnight visitor said to spend at least £50 on hospitality per night, excluding accommodation, the potential for the region’s businesses and suppliers needs little explanation.

Quinn is, undeniably, an excellent frontman for the bid – his enthusiasm is infectious, his determination to bring the biggest sporting tournament in the world to the North-East unrelenting, his delight at the levels of support seen from individuals and businesses – including Nissan and Caterpillar, major employers in the region – is clear to see, and rings in his every word.

“Everything is going fantastically well,” he said.

“There have been so many people signing the bid, so many businesses backing what we’re doing, really big companies like Nissan, the council has been brilliant, and have seconded two people to work with us – it’s amazing that all these people are lending their support.

“There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes, and though it might seem there’s not that much going on, we’re going hammer and tongs to make this a success.

“But really, it’s out of our hands as far as the decision goes.

“It’s fine for me to sit here and talk about it, but there are people behind the scenes doing so much, and people supporting us all the way.”

And, for the first time, he revealed a decision may be only a few weeks away.

“We’re expecting to hear by Christmas, so it’s really not that long,” he said.

“We just have to wait until that time now. The FA have been to visit us twice, and we are confident in our bid, so we can only hope.

“We really hope we are a part of the package England put to Fifa – not just a part, but a really strong part. I, and everyone working on this, would love to be able to give Sunderland a really great Christmas present.”

The former Republic of Ireland striker has taken part in the World Cup himself, in 1990 and 2002, and is in no doubt about the immense benefits it would bring to the region to play a role.

He acknowledges it is a “fantastic experience, and absolutely brilliant occasion,” but would much rather talk up Sunderland’s bid rather than talk about himself.

“Seeing what an occasion it is, you can see how it could be fantastic for Sunderland, and England have a great chance of being chosen.

“For too long, people have talked about the mines and the shipbuilding in the city, but the place has kicked on now, and this would be the best possible way of showing it,” he said.

“For me, this is the showcase opportunity to make the city a modern city.”

And not just the city – while the games would be played at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, the bid team has co-opted Middlesbrough and Darlington football clubs, and Durham County Cricket Club, to provide facilities that could be used by teams playing on Wearside, widening the bid to make it as comprehensive as possible.

While the merits of the bid are undeniable, concerns have been raised from some quarters that Sunderland may be too low on hotel beds to accommodate the influx of people that would undoubtedly accompany World Cup football.

Quinn is well aware of the issue, but prefers to see it as an opportunity to encourage development.

His friends Adrian and Dee Marshall, owners of the Seaton Lane Inn, have recently extended their pub to include an 18-bed boutique hotel, which the Sunderland chairman believes has put a timely emphasis on the topic of accommodation.

“This type of place is just what Sunderland needs, and it does come at a time when there is a lot of focus on, and a lot of support, for the bid. I do think it does serve to show again what we have here.

“I think this (the hotel) is wonderful and we should encourage stuff like this.”

Dashing off to yet another meeting, Quinn apologises he only had “two minutes” to talk – when in reality it was something like 20 – but wants to end on a positive note.

“We are really confident in what we have here, and we have terrific motivation across the city and across the region.

“We can now only hope the verdict is good, and that we get some really great news for Christmas.”