Saints support Southampton’s UK City of Culture bid

Saints support Southampton’s UK City of Culture bid

Southampton Football Club is proud to announce its support for Southampton’s bid to be named the UK City of Culture in 2025.

The club joins local businesses and institutions in publicly backing the campaign, with a range of exciting initiatives being planned to help support the bid.

Bidding to become the UK City of Culture provides Southampton with an opportunity to showcase all areas of culture within the city, including its strong sporting heritage.

Former Saints manager Lawrie McMenemy MBE has also shown his support for the bid, becoming a Southampton 2025 ambassador.

“Southampton has got so much to offer,” McMenemy said of the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture.

“When I got the call asking if I would like to be an ambassador for Southampton’s UK City of Culture bid, I could not believe it. It’s a great honour and, for me, the people in the area deserve to be recognised for the good work they do and to show off the sort of place it is to live.”

Toby Steele, Southampton Football Club Managing Director said “We are delighted to partner with Southampton UK City of Culture 2025 and offer our full backing to this really exciting bid.

“As a club, we are proud to represent such a vibrant and diverse city, and I have no doubt that a successful UK City of Culture bid will help Southampton become an even better place to live, work and visit long into the future.

“We look forward to working together with the bid team on a number of exciting initiatives over the coming months and years and wish the team the very best of luck with their application.”

Claire Whitaker OBE, Southampton 2025 UK City of Culture Bid Director, said “Our sporting culture in Southampton is world-class, whether its football, cricket, basketball or any other sports in the city, it is a key part of who we are.

“The UK City of Culture team are thrilled to have Southampton Football Club on board as a City Partner. Through the partnership we will be working closely with the Club to promote the benefits that winning UK City of Culture will bring to the city and beyond.

“We will also showcase that sport is key to Southampton’s cultural make up and will be highlighting and celebrating the essential work that the club does for our community through the Saints Foundation.”