THE gloves are well and truly off in the contest to net the right to host the World Cup in 2006.

Passionate salvoes were fired in the French resort of Cannes, where the Expo 99 football trade fair turned into a battle of words between England, Germany and South Africa.

All three nations have hoisted their flags for the honour of staging the tournament in seven years' time, the final decision not being known until March next year.

For the English bid it was heartening to see Sir Bobby Charlton take the offensive with as much vigour as when he detonated left-foot bombs during his playing-career.

The Manchester United and England legend is often thought of in genteel terms, any aggression deemed to be the province of brother Jack.

But Sir Bobby was positively gung-ho in Cannes. Unequivocal in his conviction of the merits of England's bid he railed: "We have our critics and our competitors. I hear things from Germany and South Africa about why English football makes mistakes and why the World Cup shouldn't come to England.

"But the one thing that is consistent is that every time a statement comes out from one of our competitors about the World Cup, they invariably mention England.

"Now why is that? It's because they are afraid of us and they respect the strength of our bid and they know that to win the World Cup themselves, the people they have to beat are the English."Well said, Sir Bobby.ANOTHER fillip for England's bid was the conclusion of the £103million sale of Wembley Stadium to the Football Association.

Now stadium chiefs can proceed with the design of a new national stadium as the centrepiece to England's 2006 World Cup tilt.

Controversy still lingers, however, over the survival of the Twin Towers. The final decision rests with the development company, Brent Council and English Heritage, who will oversee the revamp as the original stadium is a listed building.

What better time though to start anew and erase the memory of Wembley as a dilapidated arena by coming up with a suitable replacement for the towers, as long as it's got nothing to do with a dome.THOSE twin beacons of razzle-dazzle management - Ron Atkinson and Terry Venables - were back in the spotlight this week.

Atkinson has taken charge at crisis club Nottingham Forest in succession to the hounded Dave Bassett. However, his arrival at the City ground was delayed until he completed a Caribbean holiday, no doubt topping up that tan. That must have been heart-warming for beleaguered Forest fans.

Venables, meanwhile, took a back seat at Crystal Palace, another imperilled club where the phrase cash crisis could be incorporated into the club badge.

But just as with Atkinson it's unlikely that former England coach Venables will be out of the game too long. It's almost like an exclusive magic circle of bosses on, off, and back on again the managerial waltzers.JOBS for the boys - English, that is - was the subject on which Paul Gascoigne pontificated.

In a rare interview given on Match Of The Day Gazza slammed members of the increasing 'foreign legion' for disrespecting the domestic game and decrying the number of matches they had to play.

It was if England's most gifted midfielder since his England coaching nemesis Glenn Hoddle wanted 'imports' to integrate more into the traditions of the English game. Sort of in the way he adopted the Italian style during his fun-loving days in Serie 'A', I suppose.IF Gazza was guilty of citing the dark colour of a kettle it was at least good to hear him back in the public domain and loving his football again.

After another solid show for Middlesbrough he touched on a possible England comeback, adding how he would relish another crack at wearing that famous white shirt.

National coach Glenn Hoddle, however, was more guarded during an interview with Trevor McDonald as to whether England's prodigal playmaker would ever again get the Hod-nod after his eve of World Cup exit.

More evidence of 'form and fitness' was needed, Hoddle adding that to secure re-introduction to the England squad Gazza would have to convince he was a long-term option. You could almost hear the creak of the door closing nearer to its frame.ALL noise is good noise according to a new premiership 'league'. The 'Yorkie Raise the Roof' league has been announced by York-based confectionery firm Nestl to gauge the noise made by supporters in the top-flight.

Heading the list so far are Leicester City. The raucous Foxes' fans produced a reading of 136 decibels during their 4-2 home loss to Premier League leaders Chelsea. That, according to the publicity blurb, is louder than standing next to a revved Formula One racing car.

If Leicester are contemplating a move from their Filbert Street base they should consider Silverstone.

LIGHT, rather than sound, was the main worry of Manchester United fans.

A packed Old Trafford endured a massive turn-off that delayed the start of the visit by West Ham United.

Among the United legion was Evening Press chief reporter Mike Laycock and his 11-year-old son, Matthew, making his spectating debut at Old Trafford.

All told they spent four hours in the theatre of dreams during freezing temperatures. Still, the fluency of United in totally eclipsing the Hammers made up for the chilly delay, assured Laycock senior.

However, it's understood that the wordsmith did not remind his son of his previous visit to Old Trafford when a certain York City put the lights out on his beloved Red Devils. Happy to oblige, Mike.

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