Mick McCarthy: Football can help to heal the wounds

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today called on players and fans to bring the pride back to Wolverhampton after one of the most turbulent weeks in the city's history.

Around 3,500 fans will make their way up the M6 tomorrow to roar on McCarthy's side at Blackburn for tomorrow's Premier League opener.

The travelling support will be hoping for happier times after the riots and looting which left Wolverhampton devastated, along with other towns and cities including West Bromwich and Birmingham, triggered by events in Tottenham.

Spurs' opening game against Everton has been called off because of fears over unsafe buildings in the area.

But McCarthy hopes the return of the Premier League season will bring hope and enjoyment to the lives of thousands in the area after the despair and destruction of this week."

"I think football can make a difference," said the boss.

"A lot of people want to get back to normality and watching Premier League football and seeing your team on a Saturday afternoon does that.

"I'd like to think we'll give a really good account of ourselves and perform well.

"And if we do that, we'll have more chance of getting a good result."

McCarthy was appalled by the week's events and admitted his surprise at some of those involved.

"Watching events on TV, it's been disturbing," he said.

"I find it incredible and hugely distressing that people can act like that.

"They're not the people you always expect either – I guess people thought it was just a cross section of yobbish youths up to no good, but it's local people wrecking local areas. From what I hear and see about the people convicted, I'm amazed.

"It seems to me to have been a whole lot of thieving, and not for any other reason.

"No one wants to see that sort of behaviour and it's not just in Wolverhampton.

"My kids are down in London and Croydon, so it affects us all."

McCarthy said he was pleased that virtually all matches would go ahead this weekend.

"I guess if the authorities feel it's not safe, they've got to make that decision," he said.

"But I hate to see events cancelled because of the behaviour of these people rioting.

"If you start cancelling Premier League games, that sets a real precedent, so it's important they go ahead.

"The people who have rioted have already compromised the lives of others – for example not being able to get to your home on your way back to the city.

"There's something wrong with that."