‘Huge boost’ – Senior figure makes ‘tens of millions’ claim about West Brom promotion success
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, has claimed that West Brom winning promotion back to the Premier League will provide a “huge boost” to the surrounding area.
The Baggies left it late to wrap up their return to the top flight, and had to go through a nervy final day in which all three contenders for the last automatic promotion spot dropped points.
But with Brentford losing and Fulham drawing against Wigan Athletic, a sharing of the spoils between Albion and QPR was enough to see them sneak in behind Leeds United as the second side who will go straight up this summer.
And Street has been quick to hail the Baggies for their achievement.
As quoted by the Express and Star, he said: “They didn’t exactly do it the easy way, but a huge congratulations to West Bromwich Albion and their fans on returning to the Premier League.
“After sitting in the top two for practically the whole season, you cannot say it is not thoroughly deserved.
“Not only will the promotion provide a huge morale lift for the people of Sandwell and Baggies fans across the wider Black Country and West Midlands, but it will also be a huge boost financially – at least in the tens of millions – to the region’s economy at such a challenging time.
“With the Baggies promoted, we are now faced with the very real prospect of having six West Midlands Premier League derbies next season, something I know fans of the respective clubs will absolutely relish.”
At the end of the day, football is just a game, but Street’s comments here are reminder that it is also so much more than that for so many people.
A successful club can offer livelihoods, revenue, and a sense of community to surrounding areas too.
There’s no better way of instilling those things than for a team to be playing the best of the best week in, week out, and now that West Brom are back in the top flight, they have earned that privilege.
It won’t be an easy season by any means, but here’s hoping that the Baggies can establish themselves as a regular top flight presence once again.
In other West Brom news, in another exclusive story by this site, the Baggies have opened talks over a new contract for this attacker.
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