NEWCASTLE United manager Chris Hughton was joined at St.James' Park by first-team stars Steven Taylor, Steve Harper, Nicky Butt, Shola Ameobi, Jose Enrique and Jonas Gutierrez as they marked the departure of the World Cup Host City bid book for NewcastleGateshead.

Sixteen cities and towns have now lodged their bid to be a host venue should the Football Association be successful in their attempts to bring the World Cup to England in either 2018 or 2022.

And Magpie boss Hughton believes that a World Cup without St.James' Park and the Geordie nation would be unthinkable.

"It would mean everything to the people up here if they were a host city," Chris told nufc.co.uk.

"A World Cup in England without St.James' Park and the passion of the Geordie people is unthinkable.

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"I've always had my own ideas about St.James' and what football means to the city, but being up here has just heightened that.

"It truly is a great footballing city and the people live and breathe their football club.

"Not only that, they just love football and it is part of their history and tradition.

"I'm sure they would love to host World Cup games and everything here is already in place."

And Steve Harper echoed his manager's sentiments, adding: "This city has everything and more you need for a host venue.

"The supporters are the most passionate in the country and would embrace the chance to host different nationalities and watch World Cup football at St.James' Park.

"I think my playing days might be over by then, but for a lot of youngsters in the region and at our Academy it really is something to aim for."

The document is travelling to London where it will be handed over to members of the England 2018 bid team at Wembley Stadium, on Thursday,  November 26.

The final bid outlines the case for NewcastleGateshead to be a host city in England's 2018 World Cup bid to FIFA and includes details of the key facilities, necessary infrastructure for staging World Cup football and the potential lasting legacy for Tyneside.

The theme for NewcastleGateshead's bid is Football at the Heart of the City - both geographically with the stadium right in the city centre, but also demonstrating the passion for the game on Tyneside.

With a potential £58m injection into the local economy, hosting such an event would benefit the local communities by raising participation, improving health, developing volunteers, creating employment and offering more opportunities for all communities, creating sustainability.

St James' Park already meets many of the FIFA stadium requirements.It has the capacity for over 52,000 spectators and is located in the heart of the city.

The stadium is within walking distance of the city centre and is easily commutable using the Metro system.

Fan festival locations pin pointed across the twin cities will also give fans the opportunity to freely access each game throughout the tournament.