Black Country hoping for windfall after Wolves promotion

Apr 20 2009 By Tony Collins and Chris Henwood

“And all these fans will be travelling from all over the country to Wolverhampton, particularly the numbers that clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United bring.

“It is also good for the region that Aston Villa, and possibly Birmingham City, will also be in the Premier League, although it does look as though West Bromwich Albion could be heading in the opposite direction to Wolves.”

The spokesman added: “The city is going places and, if Wolves can stay up and establish themselves in the top flight as Bolton have done, that will be even better.”

Leader of Wolverhampton City Council, Coun Neville Patten, said he anticipated that promotion to the top flight would bring new jobs and prosperity to the city.

He said: “The last time we were in the Premier League gave us a big boost and we are expecting the same this time.

Coun Patten, a Wolves fan since 1948, added: “We are hoping to see our hotels get a lot more business and people coming into the city to spend more money. And, hopefully, some of these fans will be business people who will look to invest in Wolverhampton.”

Wolves chairman Steve Morgan, who succeeded Sir Jack Hayward as club owner just over 18 months ago, said his priority would now be to ensure Wolves stay up.

The club had previously been relegated, in May 2004, after just one season in the Premier League.

“After this weekend we start the hard work for next year and we’re not going to come down,” insisted Mr Morgan.

“We’re going into the Premier League and we are going to establish ourselves and kick on from there.”

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