My name is Andrew Aris, I am currently working on a project called the Spirit of Football 2006. I was working for the Organising Committee of the 2006 World Cup in Frankfurt and the idea came from me to make a fan base for the World Cup in a central German city.
This fan base is going to be in Erfurt. A wonderful old historical city in the centre of Germany, and in old DDR territory.
From this city you can travel easily to all 12 host cities and for this world cup fans must travel. Now I know you are asking yourself, so what? It does seem that unless Walter Smith pulls some magic act that Scotland will not qualify. Well this doesn't mean that Scotland should not be represented.
What I plan is to bring 30,000 international people to Erfurt for a giant party in this lovely old city for the month of June 9th to july 9th 2006.
What makes this place different than other world cup cities is that it is much less expensive (twice as cheap), it is central and most importantly fans can themselves form teams and compete all over town in street football competitions ( 4 a side, 5 a side and 7 a side) and in the social football world cup (being played at football clubs - 11 a side games on grass pitches at football grounds all accessible by bike from the centre of town and all equiped with beer gardens).
The spirit of football in Erfurt will allow fans real world cup atmosphere and also to actually play in football competitions all over town againt loads of international teams and to consume some of our sponsors finest products...
and also to participate in the musical and cultural events that will engulf the town for this month.
If you are interested in coming to erfurt in 2006 for the World Cup and being part of our events then please write back to spiritoffootball2006@yahoo.com and we can help you and your pals register for events and secure accomodation.