The nation woke up this morning with collective feelings of disappointment, anger and sheer disillusionment in the game of football. But as the axe comes down on McClaren’s head, are there wider ramifications to be considered as those in white shirts hang their heads in shame?
Umbro, who make the England kit, and retail firm Sports Direct are already lamenting the future lost profits which will surely ensue as a result of England’s failure to qualify for the 2008 European tournament. But what impact will England’s incompetence have on the wider economy?
Simon Chadwick, professor of sport business strategy and marketing at Coventry Business School has estimated the cost to British business at £2bn.
Lost retail sales is a big contributing factor to this estimate. People buy goods in preparation for England games. It’s not just football shirts. There’s beer and food sales to think about. Not to mention the flag retailers. Let us spare a thought for the poor market trader who won’t be getting much interest in the famous St George design next summer.
Landlords too will be feeling the pinch. There surely won’t be as many pints pulled and bums on seats when Croatia play Sweden as there would have been if Gerrard and Terry were leading their men out onto the field in Austria next year. And what about the bookmakers? And the travel agencies who would otherwise be setting England fans up with flights and hotels for the tournament?
But according to Chadwick, it’s not just retail and leisure sales we have to worry about. In an interview with the BBC he said:
"Evidence from previous tournaments also shows that, at another level, worker productivity normally increases as the England national team progresses through major tournaments and the 'feel good factor' takes hold.”
So it’s not just the fans crying tears of disappointment. Business owners and entrepreneurs are berating the players too.
