Chris Heck - President of Business Operations

[dave.woodhall]

I know it's probs a bit tasteless to say this, and I do not know if it was entirely Heck's doing, but by having the Sabberf farewell gig happen at Villa Park, with the gigantic worldwide coverage, and prior to that, hitching Ozzy to the  Villa bandwagon (the shirt launch last year), plus stuff like the tifo - even though we all know he didn't care too much about football - someone at the club has absolutely pulled a blinder.

They obviously didn't know he was going to pass away quite so quickly, but it feels like the club, with the concert and even the funeral today, has all of a sudden found a deep source of cultural relevance.

And the city, even more so.

Said it then, I'll say it now. Well done.

[eamonn]

And there's a film being made about the gig which will sustain interest in Ozzy, Brum and Villa by association when it comes out next year.

[DB]

This 1 reason is why Manchester is doing so well, global exposure they have had over last 20 to 30 years. Brum needs more of the exposure from Ozzy. Seeing Yanks walking around at the concert with Villa Ozzy tops on was great….but then you walk around the the area and see the piles of rubbish…

[London Villan]

Manchester had a civic leadership that helped. As well as an established media community to help spread its ‘story’. It also thinks big, where Brum thinks small.

[DB]

Manchester had a civic leadership that helped. As well as an established media community to help spread its ‘story’. It also thinks big, where Brum thinks small.

They had all of G Man aligned e.g. on the tram network, BBC and Media city really was a big win and hate to say it but their Fottball teams being dominant for 30 years and having all that exposure for the city too.

[Toronto Villa]

It always felt that Birmingham was comfortable being called or being known as the “second city” which bred complacency by years of city leaders. Manchester has tried to force their way to being recognized as the second city through their community and cultural efforts in growing their image and brand. It helped that they had a vibrant music scene, two successful football clubs and a major sporting event in 2002.

[London Villan]

Let alone the growth of their commercial sector, which is now bigger than brum’s - however you define the geography.

[Drummond]

Some kind of monument/plaque to mark Black Sabbath's final gig would be fitting. If The Warehouse is aiming to be a top music venue, it would be brilliant to site such a monument nearby.

They could rename it The Ozzy. The Ozzydome, something like that, set up a load of gigs and that would get it going and established.

[cdbearsfan]

It always felt that Birmingham was comfortable being called or being known as the “second city” which bred complacency by years of city leaders. Manchester has tried to force their to being recognized as the second city through their community and cultural efforts in growing their image and brand. It helped that they had a vibrant music scene, two successful football clubs and a major sporting event in 2002.

Let's not fall out, now.

[Dave]

When you're done with that, if you can go and have a word with BV in Other Games

Over in Hong Kong, Spurs beat Arsenal 1-0 in the first North London derby played outside the UK. I wonder when and where the first Second City derby outside the UK will take place.

[cdbearsfan]

Thanks for the heads up.

[algy]

Surely a black and purple away kit next season is the logical move. Keeps those tills ringing…

We should just permanently claim purple & black as 'our' away colours on the basis of this away shirt:



(along with green/black/red and white/claret)

[LeeB]

I loved that shirt

[Nev]

From memory, Man City (a) Sunday on the tele, Platt Lane Stand, Tony Daley goal.

[ChicagoLion]

From memory, Man City (a) Sunday on the tele, Platt Lane Stand, Tony Daley goal.

Is that the one where he dribbled the length of the pitch  past every Citeh player , some twice.