Leading figures from each of our five West Midlands football clubs have agreed to answer the questions of Row Z readers.*
 This week it's the turn of Birmingham City co-owner David Gold to take his place in the hotseat: Dear Mr Gold, thanks for a great season! I still can't believe we finished three places above the Villa in our first ever Premiership season. Congratulations and keep up the good work! Alan, Shirley DG: "Thank you for your kind words Alan. Last season was a wonderful one for everyone associated with Birmingham City FC. The challenge that lies ahead is to change our thinking. I sincerely hope the day will come when we no longer judge success or failure purely on how we have performed in relation to Aston Villa. "Yes it is edifying to see us rightfully restored as the city's leading club. But we have to move on and stop mentioning how our excellent transfer record contrasts with their dismal one, the differing levels of optimism amongst supporters and the fact that we totally thrashed them, not once, but twice. 3-0 and 2-0. Completed horsed them. Opened a can of whup on their sorry asses. That must stop." Will we see more big name signings arriving at St Andrew's during the close season? Naseem, Sparkhill DG: "We at Birmingham City FC have always taken a prudent approach in the transfer market. We wouldn't spend, say, £5.8 million on a player we'd only seen on video. But we will continue to invest in quality players as and when required." How important is it to you to know the board has the fans' backing? Mary, Olton. DG: "You know, Mary, I look at other clubs - and I won't name names - and I thank my lucky stars that we're not in the mess they're in. Everything we do at Birmingam City FC is for the fans. Unlike some clubs I could mention." Is a place in Europe next season a realistic ambition? Gavin, Perry Barr DG: "If you'd asked me two years ago if, in two years' time, we'd be talking about qualifying for Europe as a realistic ambition, I'd have said, 'ask me in two years'. But, unlike other clubs who've wasted a fortune on rubbish players, we're now in a position to challenge for that kind of honour." Steve Bruce has established himself as one of the best young managers in England. Are you worried he might be tempted by a move to a bigger club? Roger, Droitwich DG: "You assume he'd be able to find a bigger club, Roger! At Birmingham City FC we pride ourselves on running a happy ship. When you hear stories of other clubs, where managers flounce off in the huff, you can only thank your lucky stars that you're better than them. Steve is an integral part of our team and I'd be very surprised if he chose to try and leave." Is it true you have a golf course in the grounds of your estate? Alf, Coleshill DG: "Yes, Alf, it is. You know, I often stand there on the fairways, sun blazing down, birds chirping in the trees, and think to myself, 'I'll bet other club chairman don't have a golf course in their garden.' Why are the pies at St Andrew's so expensive? Matt, Marston Green DG: "It's my view that cheap pies are the enemy of quality signings. Some other clubs have gone down the cheap pie route and the results have been nothing short of disasterous, as I'm sure you'd agree if I told you which club I was talking about. Yes, we could have cheaper pies. But the reality is that, in this game, pies pay wages. "If I could make one suggestion, Matt, it would be this: look at a method of offsetting your outlay. I can tell you that I, for instance, offer to pay only half the cost of my pie up front. Another 25 per cent follows upon completion of eating the pie and the balance of the cost is paid once I have successfully purged myself of the pie. It's something you might like to think about, Matt." That's all we've got time for. Thank you, David Gold. DG: "Not at all, it's been a pleasure. Unlike some interviews you've had with board members from other clubs, I'm sure." * Or, to put it another way, no they haven't. We've made the whole thing up. | 
Row Z 
