A HOST of stars, community representatives and youngsters backed Newham Council and West Ham United’s quest to run the Olympic Stadium in Stratford after the London 2012 Games.

A HOST of stars, community representatives and youngsters backed Newham Council and West Ham United’s quest to run the Olympic Stadium in Stratford after the London 2012 Games.

The club and council on Friday made their final submission to the Olympic Park Legacy Company in their bid to take over the stadium.

West Ham United players Scott Parker, James Tomkins and Mark Noble, co-owner David Gold, England cricket coach Graham Gooch, long jumper Greg Rutherford and javelin hero Steve Backley all lined up at Forman’s Fish Island, the closest venue to the stadium.

They were joined by pupils from Cleves Primary School, Upton Park, Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales and council chief executive Kim Bromley-Derry, East Ham MP Stephen Timms and Ali Mohamed, the Young Mayor of Newham.

West Ham’s joint bid with the council has the support of the world’s biggest concert promoter Live Nation and Westfield, the world’s largest listed retail property group and developer of Stratford City. Also backing the bid are the University of East London and Essex County Cricket Club.

Mr Bromley-Derry said: “Ours is a bid about legacy and community. We see this as a key catalyst in the regeneration of this part of London and beyond. Football is key but it’s also an opportunity for other sports. We’re fulfilling the obligations made in London’s 2012 bid book. We tick all the legacy boxes.

“We would like the stadium to be a ‘hook’ to entice local people and visitors from across the UK into the area. Sport is really important and there are opportunities for elite, club and local sport enthusiasts, but we are ultimately looking at our community.

“Employment is an important part of the initiative. We’re also creating a situation where people will feel good about community education projects and more. That means every member of the community can access the stadium. Our vision is for it to be a magnet for visitors in the capital and beyond who will enjoy a wide range of sport and entertainment. The Olympic Stadium is an iconic building and it deserves a fitting legacy. We believe our bid would deliver that. It would not just be good for London - but for the nation.”

David Gold added: “Pulling down the stadium would waste a fortune in taxpayers’ money at a time of unprecedented austerity. We are confident our bid is the one and only option to leave a true Olympic legacy. It is about much more than football alone. The 2012 Olympics for London was won on the commitment of keeping the stadium for athletics. It’s important for the UK’s credibility as a sporting nation – especially in the wake of the 2018 FIFA World Cup disappointment - to keep that promise.”