If Bristol City is indeed on the verge of signing a deal with Sainsbury's, it should be welcomed by everyone. For everyone wins.

The vocal minority of Berate, who opposed any deal with Tesco, should surely be unable to find any fault with this plan.

Their stand against Ashton Gate being sold to Tesco was because they feared that another supermarket in Winterstoke Road would damage the trade of shops in Bedminster.

With the Sainsbury's deal a new supermarket would be built. But the existing Sainsbury's store would be demolished.

And the site could be used for houses.

So, in effect, the status quo would be maintained – even if the new Sainsbury's store was bigger.

And the new store would be further away from the heart of Bedminster, so its impact would be minimised.

Sainsbury's already has a loyal group of customers. It will not be the same as a new supermarket appearing to muscle in and trying to attract new shoppers.

So, with this deal signed, surely Bristol City will be able to press ahead with their plans for the new stadium at Ashton Vale.

For chairman Steve Lansdown it would represent a personal achievement. For he has persevered with this plan and put millions of pounds of his own capital into it.

But a new stadium would not merely be good for the club – it will be good for Bristol as a whole.

Because it would allow Bristol's bid to be a host city for the 2018 World Cup to be put forward with confidence.

When the go-ahead is given, as it surely must be now, this new stadium will be ready in time for those finals.

And, better still, it would unlock a further opportunity for Bristol.

If the stadium plan is approved, there is a very real chance that a scheme for the much-needed and long-awaited Bristol Arena could be unlocked.

This city would no longer have to be a musical backwater by-passed by the big acts on their way to Cardiff and Birmingham.

And Bristol would finally be able to step confidently into the 21st century.