COMMENT: McLeish – The end of an error

SUCCESSFUL cities don’t have to have successful football clubs but it doesn’t half add something special to the mix if they do.

Whilst the two Manchester football clubs fight it out for top dog spot and seem to be on a never ending cycle of growth, their Birmingham equivalents are still in recession.

Aston Villa at least took decisive action yesterday in sacking manager Alex McLeish after one of the most dismal seasons in living memory – seven victories in 38 Premiership games and a directionless football style which seemed to be based on not losing rather than actually trying to win simply wasn’t good enough – but they face an uncertain future as do their rivals Birmingham City.

Blues have a good season on the pitch under the talented young manager Chris Hughton but off the pitch there remains a lack of clarity surrounding the club’s future as deadlines for publishing accounts continue to be missed.

West Bromwich Albion can take heart from a very decent season but will have to rebuild under a new manager as Roy Hodgson concentrates instead on the England national team whilst Wolves will have to start again in the second tier of English football after a shockingly bad season which saw them win only five league matches.

And as for Coventry City, they rattle around in an impressive stadium that they don’t even own and next season will play host to the likes of Hartlepool and Yeovil after being relegated from the Championship to League One.

There’s not a lot to smile about is there?

But does it make a jot of difference to businesses in the West Midlands? Personally I think it does. Back in the 1970s, time and motion men used to talk about the increase in production seen in North East car factories when the local teams won and I think something of that mentality still exists.

I have a spring in my step when my team does well and I’m sure that makes me more productive at work. Conversely a bad result for their team at the weekend leaves many people feeling lack-lustre and gloomy on a Monday morning.

At a city-wide level a lack of success for our football teams probably makes the area less appealing to inward investors – in the same way that having Michelin-starred restaurants and a decent retail offering makes the area more appealing.

People like to be associated with success and it gives the whole place a buzz.

There’s not a lot any of us can do about the parlous state our local football clubs find themselves in but perhaps we might at least think they have reached the bottom and the only way is up.

Like all football fans I’m an eternal optimist and I intend to renew my season ticket and approach next season with keen anticipation. I’m sure many of you will do the same.

But as football fans let’s never forget that – as somebody clever once said – it’s not the despair that gets you, it’s the hope.