Chelsea Football Club today threw our full support behind London's campaign to become a major host venue for England's 2018 World Cup bid.

The club joined up with the Mayor of London Boris Johnson to appeal to all our fans to register their support for London at an event at City Hall.

Chelsea is playing a significant role in attempting to bring the World Cup to England and London.

Chief executive Peter Kenyon is a vice-president and ambassador for the bid while Communications and Public Affairs director Simon Greenberg has been asked by the Mayor to chair 'London United', the group of London stakeholders preparing the capital's proposal.

While the 'net' 40,000 FIFA capacity for World Cup matches is likely to rule out Stamford Bridge as a match venue, Chelsea's facilities may well be used asa base camp or training venue.

Chelsea is helping to secure one million signatories as part of the campaign, so please show your support by logging on to www.England2018bid.com. Click on 'Register Your Support' then choose London in the drop down menu for 'Choose Your City'.

The Chelsea players have already backed the bid, as these pictures of London-born Joe Cole and Didier Drogba show.

Our other stars to have been born in the capital include John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Michael Mancienne.

London's application will focus not only on its outstanding football facilities but on its global diversity, legacy and the fan experience it can deliver as one of the world's leading cities in event hosting.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: 'Come on Londoners - join me in supporting the bid to host one of the greatest sporting tournaments in the world.

'London is a football-mad city, from the top flight professional clubs and international matches attracting fans in their tens of thousands each week, to the friendly kickabout in local parks and open spaces like Hackney Marshes, Europe's largest expanse of playing fields.

'We've a track record for hosting international sporting events on a regular basis and the many parks and green spaces would be perfect for watching World Cup matches, so register your support for our city's bid and be ready to welcome the world!'

London will face competition from cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Newcastle/Gateshead and Nottingham - a total of 15 potential venues are vying for the minimum 12 places available as part of the 2018 bid.

London's formal application to become a host city for the World Cup in 2018 will be delivered by the 'London United', a group of leading executives from a number of major stakeholders within the capital.

Simon Greenberg, chairman of London United, said:'We have been hugely encouraged by the speed with which all the major London stakeholders have come together so quickly, and with such enthusiasm, to prepare London's bid as an Applicant Host City in England 2018.

'The Mayor is fully behind it. London is committed to providing the most compelling, imaginative and technically superior application that will provide the ultimate experience for all members of the FIFA Football Family if we were to host the World Cup in 2018.

'We are extremely excited by our overall city-hosting concept which was discussed at our first meeting. We are sure this gives us a unique platform that all football fans, Londoners and organisations can buy into and ensure all of London is engaged fully in a bid that underpins England 2018's message of England United, the World Invited. Please register your support.'