Derby has unveiled its bid to be a host city if England wins the right to stage the football World Cup in 2018 or 2022. Today, Caroline Jones talks to Rams star Dean Moxey about why he is pledging his support to the bid.

WHEN Dean Moxey first arrived at Derby County FC three months ago, he admitted the experience was something of a "culture shock".

Born and bred in Exeter and snapped up by its now-League One football club Exeter City at the age of 11, it was the first time the footballer had played for a Championship side.

The 23-year-old said everything, from the Rams manager, Nigel Clough, to the "fantastic" stadium and facilities Derby County has to offer, attracted him to the city.

And Dean believes these same qualities will help Derby to win its bid to host the football World Cup.

He said, if the city won the right to stage matches of the global tournament in 2018 or 2022, it would give world-class players the chance to play at a world-class stadium, Pride Park.

He said: "I would love it if the World Cup competition came to Derby because it is, quite clearly, the biggest football tournament there is.

"The facilities at Derby County are simply amazing and Pride Park Stadium is a Premiership stadium.

"If the best players in the world come to Derby, not only would they have the benefit of playing at Pride Park but it would be good for Derby County and us to have such talent nearby.

"Also, when supporters and players come to Derby, they will come with certain expectations and I think these will be more than fulfilled by the time they leave.

"They will grow to love Derby and its stadium and want to come back to the city much more often."

Derby is one of 16 cities competing for the right to stage World Cup matches.

But the Football Association, which is compiling England's own bid to host the tournament, is only looking for 12 suitable venues.

The decision on which cities will be included in England's campaign will be made in December, before the FA presents the country's case to football's world governing body, FIFA.

The FA has already paid its two visits to Derby to assess its case; the first inspection took place in July, the second earlier this month.

Dean said the standards set by Derby County and its supporters showed just how passionate the city was about football.

He said: "I see the place day in, day out and everyone at the club always makes sure the stadium is at its absolute best.

"On top of that, you have so many people coming to matches each week, both home and away, which just shows you what football means to the people of Derby.

"When I first came here, I really wanted to be part of that passion and I'm sure that people following the World Cup will feel the same way."

Derby's bid team is made up of representatives from Derby County, the city and county councils, Marketing Derby and the University of Derby, among others.

They have submitted a preliminary tournament bid to the FA, in the form of a 230-page document. The final bid will be submitted in November.

After the announcement of which cities will be included in the FA's own bid to bring the World Cup to this country since 1966, a decision on which countries will host both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup competitions will be made in December 2010.

Derby is hoping the diversity of its population, which includes 182 nationalities, its football tradition, the quality of Pride Park and its transport links will all strengthen its bid. If picked, the city could benefit from up to £200m investment over the next 10 years.

Other cities staking a claim for World Cup matches are Birmingham, Bristol, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle and Gateshead, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Sunderland.