“I say ‘nervously’ because nobody wanted to be accused of tempting fate and even when it would have taken a huge goal difference swing to stop Coventry going up, we would only relax once we saw the P for promoted next to the Sky Blues’ name in the league table.
“On Friday morning, we held our Coventry Local Business Forum at the Ramada Hotel in the city and one of the hot topics was that night’s game away at Blackburn Rovers and the positive effect going up could have on the city and the county.
“There’s lots of research out there about the Premier League’s impact – from two billion followers worldwide through to a near £10 billion boost to the national economy.
“Our colleagues at North East Chamber, Dorset Chamber and East Midlands Chamber have told us what being part of the footballing elite has done for economies in Sunderland, Bournemouth and Nottingham respectively.
“From increased footfall in restaurants and bars through to more students applying to local universities, each Chamber had its own story tell and it’s a testament to the power of our network that we’ve been able to draw on that intelligence so quickly.
“Seeing more than 7,000 Coventry City fans at Blackburn on Friday night proved, once again, the sheer level of enthusiasm and goodwill there is for the club once again. After a couple of near misses in recent seasons, the feelgood factor from the purchase of the Coventry Building Society Arena and the leadership of Doug King and Frank Lampard meant there was no need for the agony of the play-offs this time round.
“In the end, it took a bullet header from Bobby Thomas to grab the equaliser that sealed the point that put that all-important P next to Coventry’s name in the table and a weekend of celebration followed.
“The full celebration – with open top bus tour – will follow on May 4, something we, as a Chamber, are proud to be backing and judging from the double-page spread in The Observer on Sunday, we’re already witnessing the start of the enhanced profile that being a Premier League club will bring.
“And in the current climate, it will put a much-needed spring in everyone’s step.”
