WEST BROMWICH ALBION ISSUE 11 LONDON SUPPORTERS CLUB CONTENTS

03 10

VIEW FROM THE CYRILLE CHAIR IN STATS Steve Watts Jon Want

06 16

IN MEMORY OF AN FA CUP FINAL Paul Probyn Anthony Nash

08 22

CYRILLE Q&A WITH LANA MEMORIES MOSEBY Various Aidan Rose

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The Baggie Shorts Team: West Bromwich Albion Supporters Club London Aidan Rose Paul Probyn Branch Glenn Hess Anoushka Probyn From The Editor

This is my first edition as a mem- bench, were filled by men whose ber of the Baggie Shorts editorial values fell short of those embod- team. This is a highly significant ied by Cyrille and Big Dave. But issue in several ways. You will be whatever the future holds, Albion reading it either - in the warm still have a core of players - both glow of Great Escape Two, or old hands like Brunty, and newer mourning the loss of the club’s recruits such as Rondon and He- hard-earned Premiership status. gazi - who are prepared to give their all for the club. The future is More importantly, for those of surprisingly bright. us who gave supported the club since the halcyon days of Ron At- If, as expected, we spend the next kinson and The Three Degrees, season in the Championship, it is this editor marks the sad loss, perhaps no surprise that we will far too, early, of Cyrille Regis, a be accompanied by two other es- man who, without exaggeration, tablished teams. After successive could be called a colossus of the seasons of relegation-avoiding modern game. It is only right that mediocrity, teams like West Brom, much of this edition is devoted to Stoke and Swansea have had the Cyrille’s life, and to the personal life sucked out of them. A season memories of branch members in the Championship, scoring who had the privilege of meeting goals and winning games, could him. be the tonic that revitalises the team, and for many fans, trips to It seems somehow fitting that long-forgotten places like Shef- the club has seen a recent reviv- field and Ipswich, will be - awel al under the leadership of a man come relief from the sanitised who, in many ways, comes from stadia of the . the same mould as Cyrille Regis. Whatever the future holds, you Over the last month the football can rest assured Baggie Shorts world has been charmed by Dar- will be there to record it for pos- ren Moore’s integrity, humanity terity. and professionalism. The club had lost its way as the managerial Paul Probyn chair, and too many seats at the VIEW FROM THE CHAIR Steve Watts

At the time of writing (pre Manches- ter was a particularly low point for ter United) we’ve had more man- me; we’ve not been playing well but agers than League wins. Over the we don’t want to see our players give season we’ve had mismanagement up during a game. I accept that there from the Board, the devastating pass- was a very good goal from Vardy ing of Cyrille, Spanish taxigate, argu- (albeit his exaggerated celebration ments in the dressing room making it stuck in the craw), but I expected to to the media, poor appointments to see more battle from my team after managerial/coaching roles and poor that. recruitment on the pitch, injuries to creative players, a failure to replace I then reflected that perhaps - end ageing veterans, allegations of rac- ing my own Baggie Shorts thoughts ism and, I almost forgot, some damn on such negative notes may be one awful performances too. Wolves do- of the reasons that as a club we are ing exceptionally well and playing where we are. So after getting those good football didn’t help either. initial feelings of severe disappoint- ment off my chest, and apologies for Looking back, I remembered a lot reminding you of them – I considered of performances where we couldn’t if there were any positives to look for- hold a lead, where we didn’t quite do ward to - and look back upon. enough or didn’t quite get the rub of the green (although they say luck As a branch the London support- evens out, I’m not so sure). Some ers’ club has nudged up to over 100 performances from individual players members if you include family mem- were shockingly bad, so much so that bers and that is something to be pos- it is hard to single out one player who itive about. We have also had some has had a great season (although I’m wonderful events during the year happy to name Matt Phillips as hav- and with more to come. The passing ing a particularly poor season). The of Cyrille was marked by the branch cowardly submission against Leices- with an event at Omeara’s near Lon- don Bridge that was a tasteful and football – which in many ways would fitting tribute to the life of one of be the best tribute possible for Cy- our great heroes. We also had the rille. Alastair Robertson evening who was incredibly entertaining and seemed Despite everything we are beginning a really nice bloke – at odds with his to see some green shoots on the fiery character on the football pitch pitch with the emergence of play- for those of us old enough to remem- ers from the academy set up – Field, ber. Harper, Leko and others do finally seems to be coming into the reckon- I’m indebted to the branch as a whole ing for match day appearances and – and the Committee in particular - hopefully we will replace some of the for rallying around and making these poor performers from this season events a success which has given the and those who are sadly past their branch a very positive reputation per- sell by dates. Hopefully we will also haps more widely than just within the get a decent manager with an inten- branch itself. In doing so the branch tion to attack and entertain whilst also has also raised considerable monies getting the basics of defending right. for the Jason Roberts Foundation of which we should all be proud. Max When I took on the role of Chair (El Davies and Mark Jones receive my Presidente), I said that my intention particular thanks for their integral in- was to do so for a few years then start volvement in getting these events off to hand over the reins. I’m just over the ground. halfway through the period I had in mind when I volunteered to be Chair In some ways having these particular and I think next season is the point events has been an antidote to the at which others should start to come dire season on the pitch. It has been forward to work with me as they then challenging to fit in London branch prepare to take us forward in the meetings and dragging people in future. Albion has not replaced its from far and wide to discuss the club older players leading to upheaval – I under such a negative atmosphere. don’t intend the same misfortune to For next season I’m planning on in- happen to the branch! If you are in- troducing a schedule of two-monthly terested then speak to me! meetings at a set venue so that we can move forward and (hopefully) Have a fantastic summer and I hope celebrate and discuss a promotion to see you at the AGM. season involving positive attacking Cyrille Regis

9 February 1958 - 14 January 2018

Paul Probyn

The death of Cyrille Regis on rille’s name indelibly imprinted 14th January, gone far too soon on the team sheet at Number 9, at only 59, robbed West Brom- were the club’s best period in the wich Albion of one of our best- memories of so many current Al- loved players, up there alongside bion fans. For those of us born in cup-winners Jeff Astle and Bomb- the 50s and 60s, our prime years er Brown. But Cyrille was liked as football fans were illuminated and respected in a way that tran- by the side that came so close scended club allegiances, and the to winning the title in 1978/79, respectful way that his passing with the Three Degrees providing was acknowledged at grounds the magic ingredient that helped across the country demonstrated elevate a good team into a great that he was recognised as a true one. great by the whole football com- munity. We grew up with Cyrille, and the same could be said for much Cyrille has a special place in the of the country. A lot has been hearts of the London Baggies. written about the role of Cyrille, He shared our London heritage, Laurie and Brendon in changing brought up in the Stonebridge the face of football. As the centre Park area near Wembley, and forward of one of England’s best making his first impact as a foot- teams, Cyrille was the focal point baller at non-league Hayes. of both the racist abuse that was prevalent in the 70s and 80s, and Just as London Baggies have of the spirit of hope that things rejected the appeal of London’s could be changed for the better. big clubs, so the Arsenals and Tottenhams turned their backs It is impossible to calculate the on Cyrille, leaving the door open impact that the Three Degrees for Ronnie Allen to sign him for had; they made it normal for £5,000 in May 1977. black players to be seen perform- ing at the highest level, and West The next seven years, with Cy- Brom’s example was followed by more and more clubs. And for nothing to diminish the affection those of us who opposed rac- in which he was held by the Al- ism in those dark days - and bion faithful. that includes many London Bag- gies -the presence of Cyrille and Some of his best days were at the other black players made the Coventry, where he was a key Hawthorns a far more comfort- member of the team that upset able place to support our team. the odds to win the 1987 Cup Final, with Cyrille playing the full Irrespective of his race or colour, 120 minutes. Cyrille would have been a favou- rite at because After breaking into international we love our big, old-fashioned football with the under-21 and B centre forwards -and he fit the teams, Cyrille became the third mould perfectly. He was a wor- black player to be capped by En- thy successor to Saint Jeff, and gland at senior level, but played could be relied upon to score his only five times, two of them as quota of spectacular goals every substitute, and never broke his season, typically driving towards international scoring duck. the opposition penalty area with unstoppable power, brushing de- Competition for the number 9 fenders aside, before unleashing shirt was stiff and came from the an unstoppable shot into the top likes of Lineker, Latchford, Withe, corner. Hateley and Woodcock. Had he been more prolific he surely It’s a mystery that he did not would have won more caps. score a lot more goals - 111 in 300 games is respectable, but Following his retirement Cyrille he was part of a team that had worked as a coach at West Brom, any number of reliable goal scor- served as a well-respected agent, ers, and the spoils were shared and was a trustee of Christians in around the team. Sport. Those who had the priv- ilege of meeting him, including Although we Baggies hold Cy- the many London Baggies who rille very close to our hearts as heard him speak at a branch “one of our own”, after he left meeting at the Exmouth Arms in the Hawthorns in 1984 he spent 2010, will always remember him a dozen more seasons at Coven- with affection, as both a gentle try, Villa, Wolves, Wycombe and giant who made an impact on Chester. Everywhere he went he the whole country, but particularly was a popular figure, and his ap- as a man who makes each of us pearances in first claret and blue, proud to be a Baggie. then old gold and black, did LONDON BAGGIES MEMORIES OF CYRILLE

At ten o’clock on a Wednesday night in August 1977 the phone rang. My dad answered it. It was my grandfather who never A few months before the great made phone calls, let alone late hero of mine passed I was at night. We thought it must walking around the ground and be bad news. My dad put the saw Cyrille about to go into the phone down and said “He’s just Hawthorns. I went to him and been to watch the reserves and held out my hand. As he took we have a new centre forward. my hand I said to him “Just say His name is Cyrille Regis”. We Yes”. Being the great man he all know what happened next. is, he looked me in the eyes and smiled and said “Yes”. “So At the reception after the unveil- you’re playing today” I said. “I ing of the blue plaque in Sep- wish I was” he said. “So do I” tember 2016 Cyrille spent some and we both laughed. A hero so time with us sharing memories. humble, charming and friendly. I had copies of Baggie Shorts A great loss. and asked him to sign one. He duly obliged. I asked him to GLENN HESS sign a second copy. He replied “I’m having that one. I want to read it.’

AIDAN ROSE I met Cyrille outside of foot- Cyrille the player: Over forty ball a few times, but certainly years on I still feel honoured the most memorable was my and humbled to have been brother’s 50th birthday dinner. stood in the Smethwick End My brother had invited Cyrille when on the halfway line, he as guest speaker to give his just turned and ran towards testimony (both Christians you usto score his first league goal see) and he accepted. There against Middlesborough, the were about 20 of us and Cyrille dourest defensive unit in the talked about his life and his in- division, managed by Jack- fluences and it was fascinating ie Charlton and with Graeme - albeit pretty alcohol light. By Souness in midfield. 11 pm I was planning on re- tiring back to my hotel when Cyrille the man: I was pleased my brother announced “all back to tell him the above when he to his place for more drinks”. visited the London Baggies. That would be tea and coffee Also, a good friend of mine then! I didn’t have my car with used to exchange hellos and me and Cyrille drove me back have casual chats with him to my brother’s house. The two as they were members of the of us in his car, Cyrille asked same sports club. Quite boldly all about my football playing and early on she said “Cyrille, boys and patiently listened to you were one of my heroes. I me drone on about them. He associate you with 1981 and was so charming, sincere, and the year of the birth ofmy first supportive. I’ll never forget that son. I’m very, very sorry but I and my one regret is I didn’t just could not bring myself to ask him once about his family. call my first son Cyrille.” “Never I left my brother’s house about mind” said Cyrille. “I already 1 am. Cyrille stayed talking to have a lot of cats and dogs those remaining until about 3 named after me!” am. What a man. JOHN BOALER SIMON LLOYD CYRILLE IN STATS by Jon Want

The death of Cyrille Regis in Jan- might remember. Bomber Brown uary was a great shock for all Bag- comes in at about 2.5 starts per gies fans and, for many, it was the goal, for example, while Jeff Astle passing of one of their footballing found the net every 2.1 starts on heroes far too early. I count my- average. Compare that to Kevin self amongst them; although I Phillips’ record in an Albion shirt only saw the great man play on a of 46 goals in 68 starts, which is handful of occasions, he was my less than 1.5 games per goal al- first real footballing hero even beit over a shorter timeframe and though it was largely from afar a division below. through Match of the Day, the Big Match and Radio WM on a Satur- Many sources record Cyrille’s day afternoon. goals total as 112, and his ap- pearances as 302, but this in- Everyone who saw him play cludes two games he played in a speaks of his power, his pace and pre-season friendly tournament at his wonderful goals, but I thought Ibrox in August 1978, the Tennent I’d take a look at Smokin’ Joe in Caledonian Cup. It does seem numbers. This is a review of Cy- a little incongruous to include rille’s career statistics – a little dry, these games while other pre-sea- perhaps, and it says nothing of son tournaments are excluded, so the huge influence he had on the they’re not included here. game, but hopefully some of you will find it interesting! The following table lists some of the notable Baggies strikers of 300 games for Albion! yesteryear and more recent times, and how Regis compares. It’s not Regis played a total of 300 times an exhaustive list, but includes ev- for the Baggies, of which just five ery player that scored more than were from the bench, scoring 111 100 goals for Albion (excluding goals. That’s a goal every 2.7 wartime football) and a few of the starts which is pretty good, but fans’ favourites of recent years. perhaps not as prolific as some Cyrille definitely had a liking for That season was Regis’s best and the League Cup – he managed the only time he scored more to score 16 goals in 27 starts in than 20 goals in any season. He that competition at 1.69 starts netted 17 in the league and 2 in per goal. In the 1981/82 season the FA Cup, including that goal when Albion made the semi-fi- against Norwich City in the Fourth nals of both cup competitions, Round that won Goal of the Sea- he scored at the rate of two goals son. With his League Cup goals, every three games in the League he totalled 25 goals that season. Cup netting six times in Albion’s nine ties that season. Here is his season-by-season re- cord. Regis in Europe quarter final tie against Red Star Belgrade. After losing to a late In 1978/79, Albion had their most goal in the first leg in Yugoslavia, it successful run in Europe and Cyrille was Regis that squared the tie up at started every game. He scored his the Hawthorns with a goal just be- first European goal in Braga in Oc- fore half time. The tie looked set to tober. Albion had won home and go to extra time only for Red Star away against Galatasaray in the to score with just three minutes left UEFA Cup first round, and played and Albion’s European adventure the first leg of their second round was over for another season. tie with Sporting Braga at the Es- tádio 1º de Maio. Regis opened Regis missed the 79/80 Europe- the scoring in the 50th minute and an ties through injury but played swiftly followed up with his second in both legs of the game against European goal a minute later. The Grasshoppers in 1981, the last time Baggies won the game 2-0 and se- Albion played in Europe. cured their place in Round 3 with a 1-0 win at the Hawthorns. Regis lies fourth in the list of the Baggies’ European goalscorers be- Albion’s most famous European hind Bomber Brown, Laurie Cun- scalp came next when the great ningham and Asa Hartford, who Valencia, inspired by World Cup also managed three goals but from winning Mario Kempes, were beat- just six appearances. en 3-1 on aggregate and set up a Opponents Arsenal were his nemesis, howev- It is perhaps fitting that Cyrille’s er, as he played against them on most famous goal was against Nor- ten occasions for the Baggies with- wich City, as he didn’t score more out scoring, although he did finally goals for Albion against any oth- break that duck when playing for er club. He scored seven times Coventry. against the Canaries and also scored seven against Manchester Everton and Ipswich Town were his United, the most memorable of most common opponents having which was the fifth goal in the 5-3 played against both clubs on 15 win at Old Trafford. He scored six occasions while at the Hawthorns. goals against Coventry, the club he Below is a table showing Cyrille’s went on to play for, and five goals record against clubs with 10 or against four different clubs, includ- more appearances or 4 or more ing Middlesbrough, against whom goals. he scored his first league goal on his league debut.

As can be seen, Regis was involved in more victories (9) over his next club, Coventry City, than any other. Against the Baggies year’s cup final, scored Albion’s other goal in a 4-1 victory. After leaving the Baggies, he went At the end of October that year, on to face Albion on six occasions, Regis hit three again against Bir- four with Coventry and twice with mingham City in a 3-3 draw at St Wolves. He scored his only goal Andrew’s. against Albion in his first game against them, in November 1984, a As mentioned earlier, Cyrille match that Coventry lost 5-2. grabbed a brace on his debut against Rotherham, and notched He was on the winning side against just two goals on a further 13 oc- Albion just once, a 3-0 home win casions in a Baggies shirt, with the for Coventry in 1985, and was in- Baggies victorious on each occa- volved in two 0-0 draws between sion. the Baggies and the Sky Blues. The penalty that Regis scored on Albion won both meetings in which his debut was the only spot kick he played for Wolves in 1993/4. that he scored for Albion, and I’m Regis came on as a substitute for not aware that he ever missed one. Steve Bull in the famous 3-2 game Regis did net five times in one at the Hawthorns and started up match while at Coventry, in a 7-2 front in the 2-1 win for the Baggies League Cup win over Chester City, at Molineux. the club at which he finished his ca- reer. Multiple goals Opposite are the details of all of Cyrille’s record against Norwich Cyrille’s multi-goal matches for Al- was helped by the hat trick he bion. notched against the Canaries at Carrow Road in September 1982. Discipline That was the last of three hat tricks he scored for the Baggies, with the Although Regis was a strong and first two coming in the space of a powerful player who took no pris- few weeks in 1981. oners, he played the game as a gentleman and was rarely in trou- Regis scored his first Baggies treble ble with the referee. He did, how- on the opening day of the 1981/2 ever, get sent off twice for the Bag- season, 5th September, against gies. newly promoted Swansea City at the Hawthorns. Steve Mackenzie, The first time was in May 1982 in fresh from a goal for Spurs in that a 1-0 home defeat to Aston Villa, while the second was a few weeks in May that year. Unfortunate- before he left Albion, in a 1-1 draw ly, Cyrille suffered an injury in the at Roker Park in September 1984. first half and was substituted in the 40th minute, and was consequent- Internationals ly ruled out of the World Cup finals in Spain. Ron Greenwood called him up for his first cap against Northern - Ire took charge of the land at Wembley on 23rd February England side after the World Cup 1982. He replaced and called up Regis for a friendly in the 65th minute in a 4-0 win for against West Germany at Wembley England in the Home Champion- that October. Cyrille started the ship. game alongside up front and played 81 minutes in a Four days later, it was a similar sto- 2-1 defeat. ry as Cyrille once again replaced Francis, although this time it was It would be another five years be- against Wales at Ninian Park in the fore Robson called him up again. 80th minute. England won the Regis was then at Coventry and game 1-0. came on as a 71st minute substi- tute in an 8-0 win over Turkey in a Regis’s next England cap was as a Euro ‘88 qualifier. It was his final starter against Iceland in a World appearance for England. Cup warm up game in Reykjavik 1968 AND ALL THAT

Anthony Nash

It’s been fifty years hasn’t it? Half Manchester United, or a century; two generations. I was Arsenal. seventeen the last time Albion lift- ed the F.A. Cup on that memora- But no-one then could have antic- ble May day. ipated the seismic changes that would occur, the lopsided lar- Sadly, it’s a safe assumption that gesse from the media that would the majority of Baggies fans who eventually lead to the emascula- saw us lift the trophy for the fifth tion of what was not merely the time are no longer with us. Yet pinnacle of the football calendar if some soccer soothsayer had but, like the Grand National, The said to them as they left the sta- Ashes and the Boat Race, was in- dium beaming with pride that tegral to our national sporting they would not see their team win identity. Your grandma might nev- the Cup again in their lifetimes it er turn to the back pages of the would have been met with deri- newspaper but she would certain- sion and incredulity. “Gerahrt on ly be aware if her home town team it! Weem the Baggies, famous were playing in the Final. cup fighters!” might have been a typical response. And with justi- There is a lovely old photograph fication; Albion had been in ten in the archives of the long defunct finals, sixteen semi-finals and had Midland Chronicle of a desert- won the old pot more times than ed West Bromwich High Street snapped at around 3pm on May And as the first half unfolded on 18th 1968. Such a shot would a cold but sunny January day it have been a staple for sports ed- looked as if that record would stay itors throughout the land if their intact. Albion were on the back local club were in the Final; when foot from the off and trailed inside townsfolk would do their shop- ten minutes as John Talbut and ping early before settling down to ‘keeper John Osborne made a watch the match on television and mess of things and presented the traders, knowing takings would hosts with a simple goal. be slim that day, may even shut up shop altogether. The place erupted. Together with my grandfather I was stood on the It’s not unusual for the eventual smaller covered terrace housing winners to start their campaign in the more boisterous element of an inauspicious fashion and Albi- the home support (no segrega- on were no exception. Colchester tion then) in the all-ticket sell out away in the third round should 16,000 crowd. Fans spilled onto not have been much cause for the pitch and as Talbut sheepishly concern and the local Express picked the ball out of the net I reck- and Star’s headline cried it was on my face must have been as red a “lucky draw”. Albion were go- as the scarf I had borrowed from a ing well in the top flight despite Liverpool supporting friend. successive away defeats at Liver- pool and Nottingham Forest while Albion were simply dreadful as the Colchester were struggling in the hosts missed more clear chances, lower regions of the old Third Di- including hitting the bar twice be- vision. fore Tony Brown equalised from a hotly disputed penalty after Jeff In hindsight Albion would have Astle had been fouled. But Albi- done well to note the U’s pedi- on’s biggest slice of luck would gree. Eight years earlier they had come in the dying minutes when held league leaders Arsenal to a substitute Bullock fired home draw and as a non-league side what seemed to be a sensation- just after the war had knocked out al winner. Layer Road went wild, Huddersfield Town. Colchester Albion looked dejected and out were rightly proud of their record but referee Alan Jones was quite of never losing a cup tie on home probably the only person on the soil to a First Division club. ground who had spotted a Col- chester player handle the ball and the strike was ruled out. til being replaced in goal by Gra- An astonishing 40,008 saw Albion ham Williams for the second half. win the replay in a canter; three up By then Albion had turned things after half an hour, they declared at around to lead 2-1. 4-0. However, with Astle off receiv- Albion hosted Southampton in ing treatment Saints levelled and the fourth round and required the smart money at that moment another slice of good fortune to would have been on the home earn a 1-1 draw, the Bomber’s pot team but the Baggies dug deep shot taking a wicked bounce off and when the limping Astle slid an uneven surface and flying over in at the back post to force a last keeper Eric Martin’s shoulder. minute winner there were those One newspaper report comment- who began to believe that this ed that the goal “carried the sort year “our name was on the Cup”. of luck that wins the Cup”. How prescient. That optimism grew as Second Division Portsmouth were swept However, there was nothing lucky aside at Fratton Park in the fifth about Albion’s progress on a round. “Albion are on their way” quagmire at The Dell four days ran one national headline as first later. half goals from Astle and Clive Clark proved sufficient. Albion had played in the stripes in the first match but opted for Liverpool came to town for the all white in the replay, a kit they sixth round and their travelling would wear with distinction in the hordes packed the Smethwick remaining away ties (until they End and much of the paddock bastardised it with red socks for in front of the Rainbow stand. I the Final). Of a magnificent 3-2 squeezed myself into the Brum- win the Express and Star wrote: mie but it was not a tie to savour “The lion-hearted men of Albion for the 43,000 crowd. turned Cup gloom into glory with a shattering display of fighting Without the injured Bobby Hope, football to overcome almost im- ( had remarked that possible odds.” Albion were only half a team with- out him) we struggled to create And what odds they were. Os- much against a resolute defence borne was knocked unconscious that had conceded just 28 goals in but played on with concussion un- 32 matches. Liverpool were quite happy to settle for a replay as The Kop was stunned, a motion- they had done in three previous less mosaic of pink and grey. Al- rounds, including goalless draws bion looked the more likely in at third division Bournemouth and extra time and the shrewd money Walsall. The general mood was would be on them for the second that we had blown it. replay at in ten day’s time. I begged the afternoon off work for the replay and took one of I was on the coach once more Kendricks coaches to Liverpool having begged and pleaded for not exactly brimming with confi- another afternoon off work and dence. clutching one of the 17,000 tick- ets allocated to us. The Reds flew out of the traps with 54,000 creating the prover- Maine Road then could be as bial cauldron of noise. Alone on daunting as any stadium in the the Road terrace I turned country and despite the huge fol- up my coat collar, thrust my hands lowing from the Midlands I found deep in my pockets (my grandfa- myself on my Jack Jones in the ther had been pickpocketed on a Kippax crush and among Lancas- previous visit) and waited for the trians of all allegiances who made inevitable. no secret of their desire for a Liv- erpool victory. (Can you imagine It came after 25 minutes. Tony Hat- nowadays anyone from Manches- eley appeared to have fouled Os- ter cheering for Liverpool?) borne, the linesman flagged, Albi- on hesitated and Hateley tapped Nerves were settled after just sev- home in front of the Kop. en minutes when Astle outpaced Ron Yates and to The place erupted, it looked all put us ahead: it would not be the over. Except Albion were devel- last time Jeff would score with a oping a hard centre; they rolled left foot screamer. Hateley equal- up those white sleeves and got ised before the break but Albion stuck in. would not be denied.

The storm weathered, Albion lev- To this day I think it the most cou- elled with twenty minutes left, Jeff rageous performance I’ve seen rising to meet Bomber’s cross and from us, epitomised by John send a superb header beyond the Kaye’s bandaged head and Clark’s reach of . winner. Despite facing the consid- erable bulk of the onrushing Tom- care as a classic Bomber strike my “The flying pig” Lawrence and made it 2-0. We were there! another crude launch from Tom- my Smith, Chippy ploughed on Albion’s Wembley allocation was through the gluepot of a pitch to just 16,000 meaning, as usual, slide home. frustration, anger and heartbreak for loyal supporters denied what For the semi-final against Birming- would be for many a once in a life- ham City I had secured tickets time experience. for myself and grandfather in the time-honoured method of getting However, once demand from the to the ground as early as possible good and great and season tickets on the day of the sale and join- holders had been satisfied, Albion ing the queue. I recall rising at announced rather curious criteria dark o’clock and keeping fingers for further distribution. Anyone crossed that my unpredictable who could prove they had been to Lambretta would get me from the initial Colchester tie, by way of Dudley to the ground before the train ticket, receipt for fuel bought queue had snaked too far down in the town would be entitled to a the Birmingham Road. Cold and ticket. tired I may have been but I got my tickets, seven shillings and Luckily I had kept vouchers hand- sixpence each (thirty seven and a ed out on the journey with Kend- half pence). ricks coaches, so, deep joy; grand- dad and I were going to Wembley. Again Albion sported their lucky white kit and boy did they need So thrilled were we that we com- good fortune to get past Second pletely forgot to book any trans- Division Blues. It all seemed plain port and with places on the 60 sailing when Jeff struck inside a plus coaches and five special quarter of an hour, knocking home trains filling up rapidly, mild panic the rebound after Jim Herriot had set in. failed to hold a Brown free kick. It was my Wolves supporting fa- But a routine victory did not ma- ther who solved the transport terialise and City had the better problem, offering to drive us to chances, hitting the bar and hav- the game on the condition that I ing a shot cleared off the line. It find him a ticket. Without going started to rain after half time but into too much detail or libelling I barely noticed and didn’t much anyone I secured a ten shillings terrace ticket for the pen directly I recall little of the drive home in front of myself. I cannot remem- save for someone hurling a full ber how much I paid; certainly cup of tea at the “Albion for the more than face value but not a ri- cup” sticker I’d attached to the diculous mark up. car’s rear window. We stopped for a quick half near Coventry. The Come the day Everton were slight stain of the beverage was hardly favourites having thumped Albi- noticeable but the sticker, de- on in the two league games, but spite’s Dad’s allegiance to Wolves, there again so had Liverpool. would remain for a few weeks yet.

The drive from Dudley to London It’s difficult to explain to younger was a far more laborious affair fans the significance of lifting the back then, particularly if travelling Cup in the years before the Pre- in an ageing Morris Oxford. No miership tilted planet football off inter connecting motorways then, its axis. Yet despite all its critics the just a tedious urban grind before F.A. Cup is still very relevant to the hitting the A45 and finally picking little guys and can provide them up a bit of speed. with much needed income and wider exposure. Once on the M1 every other ve- hicle seemed to be sporting blue However, the competition loses and white paraphernalia, and considerable appeal once the particular favourite among Ever- minnows have gone and the giant tonians was a sticker proclaiming killers are yesterday’s news. At the “It’s going to be a Wright Royle fi- finale it’s usually left to the likes of nal”, (a reference to popular play- Manchester United and Arsenal ers Tommy Wright and ). who seem to regard winning the Cup as some sort of runners-up Fortunately it was anything but; prize. I would like to think a 17 the big occasion proving too big year old follower of one of these for some, particularly Jimmy Hus- elite clubs would experience the band whose glaring miss five min- same elation as I did fifty years utes from time sent the match into ago but, nurtured on expectation extra time and the coronation of and entitlement, I suspect other- King Jeffrey the first. wise. Q&A

Lana Moseby Interviewed by Aidan Rose

We are on a mission to convert all Kiwis to be Baggies. Lana tells us how she got the bug. And she manages to remind us about this season’s connection with Huddersfield and taxis.

Why The Baggies? when you’re winning, and win- ning against a team like Spurs! My fellow antipodeans Kim and Paulie have to take the fall for this Best away ground? one. I was easily indoctrinated! WBA has a rich history of which Anfield under lights is pretty everyone is very proud and has a special. great family atmosphere that I’m sure is the envy of other clubs. Worst tat from the club shop? Seeing the many tributes to the great Cyrille was very moving for ALL the pink stuff. I could write me. I’ve met some wonderful a whole separate piece detailing people through the club - Bag- all the reasons this upsets me. gies supporters are a fantastic (and resilient!) bunch. Best Albion away strip?

First ever game? I loved last season’s black with thin blue pinstripes. Spurs away, Sep 2014. When you’ve grown up in a country All-time Albion low? where home and away fans are sprinkled throughout the sta- This whole season! More spe- dium, being in the away end is cifically, Huddersfield at home quite an experience. It’s an in- (post taxi-gate, which was a low credible atmosphere, particularly in itself, but I’ll keep it to foot ball). That game burnt out all The Black Eagle or The Vine? remaining hope for me. Brunty and Rondón have my respect for We usually get the train so spend staying out there in undeniably most our time at the Eagle. difficult circumstances to thank You’ve got to love hanging out the fans while the rest slinked off in a pub that is older than your down the tunnel. home country!

Most Memorable Away Game? Best ever game at The Haw- thorns? Liverpool in the Cup this season. VAR… what a disaster! Notable Weirdly, my two favourite games mention to Sam Field for his fan- are games we lost! Chelsea’s tastic off-pitch time wasting, re- league-winning game last sea- sulting in being booked despite son and the Manchester City cup never making it onto the pitch game this season. Our perfor- – quite possibly the highlight of mance against the full-strength the game! City team was stellar. It’s a shame we haven’t been able to capital- ise on that in the Premier League. WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN

WHEN WILL WE SHARE PRECIOUS MOMENTS...