Resilient North East will survive relegation disaster
May 25 2009 By Sam Wood, The Journal
Attendances at home games will undoubtedly be hit, as home supporters stay away and less away fans make the journey to the North East.
Clubs like Blackpool average just over 7,000 fans a game, compared with the 75,000-plus who attend matches at Manchester United’s Old Trafford. Andrew Dixon, NewcastleGateshead Initiative chief executive was more upbeat and said the North East has a lot more going for it than just football, and he thought the image of the region would not be badly hit by relegation.
He said: "NewcastleGateshead will remain very much at the forefront of the minds of UK and overseas tourists and local people who want to experience our beautiful cityscape, iconic buildings, history and heritage and friendly Geordie welcome.
"There are only 19 home Premiership games, yet a 365-days-a year programme of festivals and events that emphasise just why NewcastleGateshead and the wider region is bucking the national trend with a growth in visitor numbers.
"Clearly relegation is a great disappointment, but many Championship teams have strong away support and St James’s Park will almost certainly be on their list of matches to visit."
And Alan Clarke, chief executive of regional development agency One North East said: "Fans of Middlesbrough and Newcastle will be upset, in comparison with those from Sunderland.
"Both Newcastle and Middlesbrough have dealt with relegation before and they will do so again.
"All three clubs are important to the profile of the North East, but there are still many reasons to be positive. Many of our businesses have performed well despite the tough times.
"This region is about far more than just football, we have so much going for us.
"Our priority remains to help companies during the recession, to prepare them for the economic recovery when it comes.
"It is oft-quoted that productivity goes up in the North East when the teams are doing well, but the people of this region are nothing if not resilient and whether our teams are challenging for honours or clinging tenaciously to survival, the fans will turn out in force to cheer their heroes on no matter what league they play in."
