Tonight’s the night for Baggies fans as the club hopes to secure promotion to the Premiership with a result against struggling Southampton at The Hawthorns.
And as the team prepare to do their bit on the pitch, experts forecast a £20 million boost to the borough’s economy when Albion go up.
Expert Mark Cook, who is head of International Business at the University of Wolverhampton, forecast a bright financial future for the region with the Baggies in the Premier League.
He said clubs were magnets for investment and being home to a top flight team was an economical recipe for success.
“The amount of money that will come through for being in the Premier League is a staggering quantity,” he said.
“There are a number of possible benefits including increased revenue for the club and better players.
“There will be increased gate income through season tickets and there will be increased support from away fans that will increase the expenditure.”
Mr Cook said around £20 million could be pumped into the area on the back of the team winning promotion on top of the millions the club would make.
“It seems to be the kind of ball park figure, but it depends on rivalry, ground capacity and development that takes place and retains that income,” he added.
Mr Cook said extra cash which was spent on improvements or expanding grounds could lead to more jobs and trade for local businesses such as building firms.
Albion fans suffered a day of frustration on Saturday as the team failed to secure promotion through results elsewhere. Fans were glued to the TV screens, but were left frustrated after a late winner from Hull City in their clash with Crystal Palace left Albion’s fate in their own hands, although hopes are high promotion will be assured with a result tonight.
9 Comments
maybe we could help out our withering minow neighbours with our kitty by giving them half a mil for SEB…
Good Luck for tonight. Saints arn’t much of a team any more so you should be able to put them away pretty easily. See you in the Prem when we’ve won the play-offs! (Here’s dreaming!)
i dont sink to the level of jibes and petty behaviour, i genuinely hope you guys stuff soton and go on to take the title because i ,for 1 , want the west midlands teams to be playing each other in the prem, because i want this once great football area to be back where it was, challenging all those cockney knobheads for the honours! all agree????!
Totally agree with nigewolf well said m8..
3, Totally agree with you there, It would be great to see a few midland teams up there. The playoffs it could be, Please. I really dont want to see Hull vs Chelsea on super sunday, Sorry
Hull fans, but it just does not sound right.
See you wolves fans on fifa 08, great stuff.
thanks for the best wishes from wolves fans and i hope you make it trought
the play off’s . . .so our banter can continue on the same level next season . . .
Thankyou Tony Mowbray and all the staff at WBA for helping our wonderful lads to get promoted, all the very best in the Premier League. Hope you all have a good holiday after next Sundays game, well done.
Spot on nige
brisbane baggie said nigewolf nice to know there are some nice wolves still around good luck in the playoffs