David Gold - Football
Blues Magazine, November 2005, Part Four
Even if that meant us losing Steve Bruce?
Yes, because we will only lose Steve Bruce if he is hugely successful. I would take two years of huge success that brings about Steve becoming the England manager. One, I'd be thrilled for him because I believe he is a natural born winner, and two, I think he would make a fantastic England manager. Of course I don't want to lose him, but I can't have my cake and eat it.
Would I exchange winning the FA Cup now and finishing in Europe in the next two seasons and then seeing Steve Bruce become the England manager? Yes, I would take it. I would take that because my friend would become the England manager and I would be thrilled for him and it would also mean that Birmingham City would have achieved success.
Would I want to get all of that success and keep Steve?
Yes, of course I would. But if you give me the either or scenario, then yes I would take the success and losing Steve.
Are you frustrated that you don't see more of Sven at St. Andrew's?
No, I see him from time to time. He's charming and good company.
Do you see any of the Birmingham players making it in the England squad for the World Cup?
Well, I would be hugely disappointed if Emile doesn't go because I think he will give England extra options up front. If you look at England, the England forwards, they are all very similar. If you take off Owen and bring on Defoe... they are all the same type of player, one might be better than the other on his day but they are the same type. Sometimes you need a different option and Emile certainly gives you that. Like the Portugal game in the European Championships, we spent all day launching long balls to Owen. If you are going to play that game, get Heskey on. Portugal just said thank you very much.
Who is going to win in the air? A guy at 5'8 or the defender who is 6'4?
I think it is a bit early for Jermaine, particularly with our love affair with Beckham, but it wouldn't surprise me if he isn't in the next World Cup finals in 2010.1 certainly see him as one for the future. And it would be great to see David Dunn back in contention. When he comes back, hopefully he will be the David Dunn that excited the fans and terrorised defenders.
Matty Upson? I would love to think he could go. I think that at the moment England is blessed with an abundance of outstanding centre backs, it's probably our strongest area, and I'm sorry for Matthew; if he was a right back, he'd go straight in the England team. And, of course, there's Nicky Butt. Maybe England could do with a bit of steel in the middle of the park.
With several players in contention, does this show how far the club has come over the last 12 or so years?
One day we will have an England international playing for Birmingham CityI can remember when Aliou Cisse joined the club and I thought, 'Wow, we've got the Senegal captain coming to play for Birmingham City Football Club' and I really was excited about that. Of course, we did have internationals like Kenny Cunningham and Damien Johnson playing for us and I remember saying, 'One day we will have an England international playing for Birmingham City' and now we have an England international in Emile Heskey. Will he play for England again? Yes, I think he will. We've got Matthew Upson as an England international. Will he play for England again? Yes, I think he will. We've got Nicky Butt and David Dunn, they could both play for England and Julian Gray and Jermaine Pennant are great prospects. So when you ask me is this a barometer of how far we've come, absolutely.
So are you optimistic about the future?
Yes, I'm always optimistic. When I said to you earlier that I didn't want to be anywhere where I'm not wanted, I equally don't want to be anywhere where the business or the club is going backwards. I only want to go forward, I am a person that thrives on winning, I thrive on success, it drives me, it is what my life is all about ever since I came from the poverty of the East End of London.
