GEELONG'S most famous former Socceroo Josip Skoko believes his city is ready to play host to a global audience of almost one billion people by having World Cup games at Skilled Stadium.
Skoko just wishes he was young enough to strap on the boots for the 2022 World Cup.
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"Having a World Cup stadium in your own town gives young guys entering the game a chance to dream," the midfielder said from his home in Split, Croatia.
Skoko backed the State Government push to have Skilled Stadium as a key venue in Football Federation Australia's World Cup bid.
"When I was growing up, the idea of Australia just qualifying for the World Cup was a dream. Let alone playing for Australia itself at a World Cup - we have come a long way," the Hajduk Split player said.
"It would be good for the local community. You didn't get to see it growing up, you didn't have much to look up to. Now the guys coming through have so much to look forward to. It is safe to say we are good enough now to qualify all the time."
Watch an aerial view of proposed upgrade of Skilled Stadium. Click here.
The Geelong-raised 34-year-old said that to get the World Cup in Australia would be "big enough".
"But to get games in Geelong would be fantastic for the local community and the soccer facilities," he said.
"It would be fantastic, it would be exciting."
"It would bring a fantastic atmosphere. The city would be buzzing. The economy would be lifted. A lot of things like into that. One thing that would come out of it would be more jobs."
The former Wigan midfielder is in talks to return to Victoria to play for new A-League club Melbourne Heart.
But he said he believed his city could also one day operate an A-League team.
"It definitely has the capacity to be in the top flight. If they are expecting a 16-team league I think cities like Geelong can do it," Skoko said. "These smaller cities like Wollongong and Canberra have strong squads."
Yesterday he said there would be plenty of incentive to stay involved in the game off the field if Australia was to host a World Cup.
"I would like to be involved in the long-term definitely. You can always focus on something else and then become involved in some sort of capacity," Skoko said.
He wore the green and gold for a decade between 1997 and 2007.
Meanwhile, Football Federation Australia was playing its cards close to its chest yesterday about whether it would embrace the State Government proposal.
Head of media relations Rod Allen said Geelong was seen as one option among many. "We haven't decided which are the host cities yet," Mr Allen said.
Premier John Brumby earlier this week said the Geelong ground and the Melbourne Cricket Ground were his two preferred venues for Australia's World Cup hosting bids for either 2018 or 2022.
The decision would see Geelong take centre stage during the World Cup, while the AFL season would continue at Etihad Stadium
Skoko just wishes he was young enough to strap on the boots for the 2022 World Cup.
Have your say on the feedback form below
"Having a World Cup stadium in your own town gives young guys entering the game a chance to dream," the midfielder said from his home in Split, Croatia.
Skoko backed the State Government push to have Skilled Stadium as a key venue in Football Federation Australia's World Cup bid.
"When I was growing up, the idea of Australia just qualifying for the World Cup was a dream. Let alone playing for Australia itself at a World Cup - we have come a long way," the Hajduk Split player said.
"It would be good for the local community. You didn't get to see it growing up, you didn't have much to look up to. Now the guys coming through have so much to look forward to. It is safe to say we are good enough now to qualify all the time."
Watch an aerial view of proposed upgrade of Skilled Stadium. Click here.
The Geelong-raised 34-year-old said that to get the World Cup in Australia would be "big enough".
"But to get games in Geelong would be fantastic for the local community and the soccer facilities," he said.
"It would be fantastic, it would be exciting."
"It would bring a fantastic atmosphere. The city would be buzzing. The economy would be lifted. A lot of things like into that. One thing that would come out of it would be more jobs."
The former Wigan midfielder is in talks to return to Victoria to play for new A-League club Melbourne Heart.
But he said he believed his city could also one day operate an A-League team.
"It definitely has the capacity to be in the top flight. If they are expecting a 16-team league I think cities like Geelong can do it," Skoko said. "These smaller cities like Wollongong and Canberra have strong squads."
Yesterday he said there would be plenty of incentive to stay involved in the game off the field if Australia was to host a World Cup.
"I would like to be involved in the long-term definitely. You can always focus on something else and then become involved in some sort of capacity," Skoko said.
He wore the green and gold for a decade between 1997 and 2007.
Meanwhile, Football Federation Australia was playing its cards close to its chest yesterday about whether it would embrace the State Government proposal.
Head of media relations Rod Allen said Geelong was seen as one option among many. "We haven't decided which are the host cities yet," Mr Allen said.
Premier John Brumby earlier this week said the Geelong ground and the Melbourne Cricket Ground were his two preferred venues for Australia's World Cup hosting bids for either 2018 or 2022.
The decision would see Geelong take centre stage during the World Cup, while the AFL season would continue at Etihad Stadium
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