Soccerex European Forum: Manchester (March 2012) – Opening Ceremony
Day 1: Wednesday 28 March 2012
09:30 – 10:00 The Soccerex Opening Ceremony
- Matt Lorenzo (Head of Media, Soccerex) [Host]
- Sir Howard Bernstein (Chief Executive, Manchester City Council)
- Tony Martin (Chairman, Soccerex)
- Dennis Law (ex Manchester United & Scotland player)
- Mike Summerbee (ex Manchester City & England player)
L to R: Sir Howard Bernstein, Dennis Law and Tony Martin.
The 2012 Soccerex European Forum at Manchester Central ‘kicked-off’ with an opening address from Sir Howard Bernstein, the Chief Executive of Manchester City Council. In welcoming all the delegates to the event he stressed the importance of how sport, including football, can be at the very heart of regeneration up and down the country. Manchester he said, had benefited and been left with a tremendous legacy from the 2002 Commonwealth Games, with investment improving and contributing to culture and community across the city and significant partnership working between the Council and Manchester City FC. Sir Howard added that a key to the success of the 2012 London Olympics would be the legacy it leaves.
Tony Martin, Chairman of Soccerex, was able to announce to the audience that Manchester had secured the right to host the Global Soccerex Event (covering 5 days) from 2014, taking over from Rio de Janeiro.
The Opening Ceremony closed, with an appearance from two of Manchester’s footballing legends, Dennis Law and Mike Summerbee, who talked about how this seasons Premier League challenge between City and United reminded them of the 1960’s when both clubs battled in a similar fashion for the title. Host Matt Lorenzo, quizzed the legends on who would take the League trophy and it was no surprise that the ex-players stuck with the teams they played for!