The Birmingham Mail has penned an open letter to departing Aston Villa football star Gareth Barry – after the midfielder used the daily to write a similar letter to fans explaining why he was leaving.

In his letter published exclusively in yesterday’s Mail, the England international said he was joining Manchester City because the club would enable him to play in his best position in the run-up to next year’s World Cup.

“The World Cup has always been a major part of my thinking and I feel at Man City I will get the chance to play regularly in my best position and play a big part in a successful side,” he wrote.

But editor Steve Dyson took him to task for failing to mention the fact that City have offered to double his £50,000-a-week salary – and published his own open letter in response.

It read: “Many will understand the turmoil you went through as you struggled to decide what was best for you and your career. They will understand your fears of going stale and slipping into the comfort zone.

“But fewer are going to be convinced by the reasons you give for joining Manchester City, a club that has often promised much but delivered nothing.

“Gareth, Villa fans could have stomached you joining one of the truly big clubs like Liverpool or Arsenal. But – and no disrespect is meant here – Manchester City are hardly one of the giants of the game, are they?

“They might have a fortune to spend, but that doesn’t guarantee success. Your words don’t wash and many supporters will suspect that money lies at the root of your decision.

“That said, this city and newspaper is grateful for 12 years of fine service and we send our sincere best wishes for the rest of your career.

“Thanks for the memories… but don’t pretend that cash has not tempted you!”

Comments

Bob (04/06/2009 06:50:52)
Having cash and ambition are not mutually exclusive. And while money may not guaranty success, if you buy the best players your odds of winning go up rather much. Just how many trophies did Chelsea win before Abramovich arrived? How many since? Pretty much sums up what might happen in Manchester. Certainly more likely to occur there than at Aston Villa. Personally if City can crash the top 4 and break their hold on the game it will be good for the league. New blood is needed.

Jon (04/06/2009 09:24:26)
And I suppose Steve Dyson would turn down a move to another city newspaper even if they offered to double his salary?

Onlooker (04/06/2009 09:27:49)
Steve Dyson’s comments seem a bit disingenuous. Pro’ footballers’ careers are short. Who can blame them for wanting to secure their futures financially ? If a rival newspaper company offered Mr Dyson twice his current salary for doing the same job, would he not leap at the chance ? Sounds like he is just trying to whip up controversy to sell more newspapers – an ignoble but common practice.(Is he a Villa fan, too?) Seems a shame in a way but then I can still remember when the Brum Mail was selling over 300,000 copies per night and had a deserved national reputation and following.

Ruby (04/06/2009 09:55:30)
Jon and Onlooker are missing the point. Dyson is actually criticising Barry for pretending he’s moving to City for other than money reasons. Given the circumstances that seems fair comment – and it’s an issue that’s kept the Villa fansites buzzing, so why not use the controversy to shift a few more copies?

Hogwash (05/06/2009 10:27:57)
Typical naff regional newspaper tosh. Who cares what the editor of the Mail thinks? Are there bigger egos in the world than editors? Bore off Steve – stick to cutting costs and making people redundant

Herr Flick (07/06/2009 19:56:41)
Poppycock- You want to sort your own paper out Mr Dyson, before you start meddling in football business.