Players back the bid

West Ham United and Newham Council formally handed in their bid for the Olympic Stadium on Friday morning

Scott Parker, Mark Noble and James Tomkins joined former sporting stars such England cricket great Graham Gooch and Olympic medallist and world javelin champion Steve Backley to mark the occasion with the impressive stadium serving as a fitting back-drop.

All were united in backing the club's bid to take on the Olympic legacy post 2012. Also present was Stephen Timms MP, West Ham United chairman David Gold and Newham mayor Sir Robin Wales along with youngsters from nearby Cleves School.

Parker said: "It would be exciting to play at the Olympic Stadium. From where we were this morning, it is clear to see the stadium and how good it is going to be.

"For every professional player, you want to play in the best stadium and certainly the Olympic Stadium is going to be that. It would be brilliant.

He added: "I think everything works out perfectly geography-wise and to move the club forward. Everything is perfect here for West Ham to push on and make the club better. We need it to drive the club forward and help everyone in the community at the same time."

Team-mates Noble and Tomkins were also in agreement about how having the stadium would benefit the growth of the club and the community.

"It will be a great thing for the club, said Noble, a local lad himself. "The club wants to progress and having the stadium would help them do that. It will also still be used for other things, like athletics and the people who live and work around here can also be a part of it."

Tomkins said the prospect of playing in the stadium would be exciting for London as a whole.

"Looking at it, it looks like it will be a fantastic stadium and for us to have this as our home stadium would be great. With everything I have heard, it will also mean many more people will be able to visit the stadium and use it, which can only be a good thing."