Haven't read, but the description seems apt. It also seems cynical, but you simply can't escape from wondering what degree the B'ham vs. London dynamic plays into that.
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That's a very good point you make there tbf
It helps a bit, but as evidenced by the mess that is West Ham it's no guarantee of success. Liverpool is highly unattractive as a place to live compared to London but that doesn't stop them making big signings.
It's all about how the club is run and its reputation.
Villa v Bournemouth, 3rd Division 1972. Crowd of over 48,000, and not too many away fans I'd have thought. On MoTD too.
Massive support that culminated in that decade with them winning the 1st Division and then the European Cup, all seems a long way off now.
Massive support that culminated in that decade with them winning the 1st Division and then the European Cup, all seems a long way off now.
West Ham, Crystal Palace, Leyton Orient (on the cusp of Championship playoffs to non league football in about 3 seasons......)
Or even Aston Villa and Birmingham v Wolves. Wolves are on an upward trajectory whereas Aston Villa and Birmingham are not....all down to management of their finances by the owners.
London helps those who help themselves but its just an extra card - its not a guarantee of success.
But due to sport, music, and culture to foreigners London, Liverpool, and Manchester basically are England. More people abroad will probably be able to locate Newcastle than Birmingham. I would expect if you surveyed foreigners on the 2 largest cities in England less than 1% would correctly respond with Birmingham as #2.
Most players for Liverpool and Manchester clubs live in Alderley Edge or other nice Cheshire towns and villages. I don't think how nice (or not) a city Liverpool is has too much bearing these days
Reminds of the true (?) story:
Researches went into cities and asked 1000 people which was England's 'second city'. Most Brummies said Birmingham, most Mancs said Manchester, most Scousers said London......
Most scousers were in Birmingham and Manchester, burgling people who were still in the shops answering surveys on Britain's second city.
Ironically in the 90s. I used to look at Villa regularly finishing top 6, European football, couple of title challenges and 2 league cups thrown in and think that should be us, we're just as big.
I take it you've never been to Birmingham?
It has a huge number of first and second generation immigrants, higher percentage of population than anywhere apart from London.
I've never been to Birmingham, no. I do know a few people from Birmingham, and I get that there's a huge immigrant population. So maybe I exaggerated slightly, but I still sincerely believe very few people would realize it's the 2nd largest city in the country. There are just many other cities in the UK that have a much larger profile and name recognition.
Well yes, exactly my point really. Birmingham has plenty of nearby towns with expensive gated communities, Bentley dealers and tanning salons for the WAGs too. Living in London proper does have some appeal to overseas players no doubt but ultimately it's down to things like management, wages and club prestige.
Such a well run club....3 weeks until the season begins, 4 first teamers in training, no new signings, Toby unsecured and dembele on his way.
What could go wrong?
What could go wrong?
Who are the 4 first teamers?
Horsenosher #14
Wanyama, Davies, Lamela, Lucas
(Oh and Aurier and Sissoko but they don’t count as footballers let alone first teamers)
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Unsure why
VoiceOfThePoshSeats
disagrees with this? It's a fact.