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Home , Jonathan Leko, Nigel Pearson, Sean Dyche, Steve Bruce, The Hawthorns, Tony Pulis

BAGGIE SHORTS Albion Supporters Club Issue 7 | Season 2015/16 2015/6 Season Fixtures and Results 10 Aug H Man City 0-3 15 Aug A Watford 0-0 23 Aug H Chelsea 2-3 29 Aug A Stoke City 0-1 Welcome.....to this special edition of Baggies Shorts, cele- 12 Sep H Southampton 0-0 brating (among other things) the 40th anniversa- 19 Sep A Aston Villa 0-1 28 Sep H Everton 2-3 ry of the formation of the West Bromwich Albion 3 Oct A Crystal Palace 2-0 London Supporters Club. In the last edition, we 17 Oct H Sunderland 1-0 heard from Paul Mason about the re-formation 24 Oct A Norwich City 0-1 of the branch in the 1989/90 season, but here 31 Oct H Leicester 2-3 we go back to the very beginning - September 7 Nov A Man Utd 2-0 1976 - with the help of the founding chairman, 21 Nov H Arsenal 2-1 Peter Gregory, and the founding Secretary, Rab 29 Nov A West Ham 1-1 Rogers (taken from the memories he recorded 5 Dec H Tottenham 1-1 for the Club’s 25th anniversary). 13 Dec A Liverpool 2-2 19 Dec H AFC Bournemouth 1-2 26 Dec A Swansea 1-0 On other pages: we take a look at West Ham’s 28 Dec H Newcastle 1-0 immense good fortune in the property stakes; 2 Jan H Stoke City 2-1 we assess the clubs that will replace Newcastle, 13 Jan A Chelsea 2-2 Norwich and Villa in the Premiership next sea- 16 Jan A Southampton 3-0 son; Dave Wiltshire gets the Q&A treatment; and 23 Jan H Aston Villa 0-0 Tony Vass and Paul Monney reflect on a couple 2 Feb H Swansea 1-1 of actual football games. 6 Feb A Newcastle 1-0 13 Feb A Everton 0-1 27 Feb H Crystal Palace 3-2 If you would like to write for, or to, the maga- 1 Mar A Leicester 2-2 zine, please contact one of the editorial team 6 Mar H Man Utd 1-0 (Anoushka Probyn, Toby Grainger, 19 Mar H Norwich City 0-1 Glenn Hess, Adrian Rose). You 2 Apr A Sunderland 0-0 can contact us via Toby: toby. 9 Apr A Man City 2-1 [email protected]. 16 Apr H Watford 0-1 21 Apr A Arsenal 2-0 Don’t forget to renew your mem- 25 Apr A Tottenham 1-1 bership for 2016/17! Membership 30 Apr H West Ham 0-3 2 May A AFC Bournemouth 1-1 forms are available from Tony 15 May H Liverpool 1-1 Vass. MATCH REPORT: WBA 0 - 1 Watford Tony Vass Reports:

If I can get to my local station by was hell bent on a victory. But on 7.00am, I expect the Baggies to 26 minutes Watford scored the only make some sort of effort for me goal of the game when Ben Watson when I get to . Calling (I said we should have signed him) in at the station shop for a paper the easily raced clear of Chester and manager looked curiously at me and McClean to meet a low corner at the asked, “Footie today in London?” near post to flick the ball across goal “No, I replied - West Bromwich!” He and in off the far post. looked at me as if I was totally mad, by the end of the day I began to sus- Few half chances came and went pect he was very probably right. before Watford keeper Gomes upended Berahino in the box on Today was to be another disap- 67 minutes. The want-away striker pointment following on my recently grabbed the ball and looked set to viewed debacles at the Hawthorns level the score-line. But his spot kick versus the Vile, and Norwich City. was poor and easily saved. With This should have been the day when defeat looking likely Sessegnon was Baggies fans the World over would tumbled in the box to give Albion a be celebrating the demise of the last chance to take something from Claret and Blue hordes from Witton, another poor home performance. who have been so smug and dismis- Berahino again failed to convert the sive towards us for a long, long time. spot kick with the Watford keeper Honorary London Baggie, Tom What better then than to secure a making a fine save. home win ourselves and enjoy see- Monastyrki, got in touch from ing the Seals starting their fall into said after the game, “ Canada telling us, “I was pulling the Championship. Football can be a cruel game and into the parking lot and noticed I’m disappointed for the lads”. How this car. Had to stop and take Fortunately the day is not all about about sparing a thought for this a picture for you. The lady’s the football, and after a fine lunch poor sod who travelled over 400 husband is from . amid good company in the “Black miles to witness yet another clue- She said someone like me stops Eagle” I was feeling a little optimistic. less, classless, half-hearted home BAGGIES ABROAD her at least once a week to take Watford fans on the train bemoaned performance from the Baggies? I a picture.” the fact that they couldn’t score shall be very glad when this awful, goals and couldn’t see anything wretched season is over! (Yes, I went better than a draw for them. A few to Watford, Palace and Southampton tentative efforts form both sides away too!) gave no indication that either team “I’m Dreaming Dreams, I’m Scheming Schemes” (The opening two lines of the first verse, as opposed to the chorus, of Bubbles)

Wet Sham Climb The Property Ladder By Toby Grainger

West Ham are moving up in the and that through their generosity world and will pay £2.5m a year in and civic-mindedness they have rent for their new home at Taxpayers’ saved it for everyone’s enjoyment. Central (a.k.a. the Olympic ). But, as observed, “The To put it in proportion, that’s a good agreement outlines the extent to deal less than we have paid over the which West Ham take primacy during last year (in salaries) for the (largely the football season, underlining the bench-sitting) services of the famous need for it to retain the “look and “Ricky ‘n’ Vic” strike duo. But Mssrs feel” of its home ground.” So, it will that one through and have included Gold and Sullivan, along with Lady still belong to us, but, as it will be incentives for us to love them. The Original build: £429m (sic(k)!) Brady (all lately of Planet Por- permanently dressed up in West better West Ham do, the more they Additional conversion costs (i.e. no, via Smallheath) argue that we’ve Ham’s livery, it won’t feel as though have to pay (ranging from an extra downsizing to 60,000 capacity to ac- got the jammy end. it belongs to anybody who doesn’t £100k for a top half finish, up to £1m commodate West Ham): £272m (of routinely break off from munching a in the (ahem) unlikely event that they which the Club will pick up £15m) That’s because, they’re only rent- tub of jellied eels, before reminding win the Champions League). Or, to ing it for 25 match days (they have you that the ‘Ammers won the World put it another way, the more games To continue: “Fortune’s always to pay an extra £100,000 for any Cup and lamenting the death of the West Ham win, the less the public hiding, I’ve looked everywhere.” additional games) and the rest of old East End. are required to subsidise them. Actually, that’s not quite true, but the the time it belongs to us, the people complicated financial arrangements who paid for it (Londoner’s are still That might make you feel resent- So, come on: “I’m forever blowing (often involving off-shore accounts) paying an Olympic-costs precept ful of the Irons, but the geniuses bubbles, Pretty bubbles in the air…” habitually favoured by businessmen on our Council Tax bills). West Ham (including the late and unlamented Oh, hang on let’s just remind our- of such outstanding calibre as Gold argue that, without their tenancy, the Boris of this parish) who “ham- selves of those costs again. and Sullivan are famously opaque. stadium wouldn’t have been viable mered” out this deal have thought MATCH REPORT AFC Bournemouth 1 - 1 WBA Paul Monney Reports:

The final away day of the season was a ground-tick for many of the So to the game which for the most London Baggies as we visited the part felt more positive than it really Premiership newbies, Bournemouth, was due to a 16th minute Rondon who like us had already met their goal lifting spirits and Bournemouth target of survival. What could be bet- not looking like they would or could ter than a visit to the seaside in May score. It didn’t seem that long ago to watch two teams go head to head that some fans were singing ‘If Ron- with no pressure and (surely) a will to don scores, we’re on the pitch’ due entertain? It would be an entertain- to the unlikelihood of it happening ing afternoon - thanks to the compa- but he’d found a purple patch and ny (if not necessarily the game). hopes are high that with a more consistent season he could be the We met early and headed south but front-line leader we crave. His head- things didn’t go completely to plan ed goal was a result of a goalkeeper with the weather not really coming distribution error, a great dribbling to the party - it was dry and clear but run and lay-off from young bright- not warm and so it was to the pub, spot and a perfectly rather than the beach, that we went placed cross from . see where it would come from until minutes for the second half surely for pre-match entertainment. Bournemouth lobbed an 82nd min- we would have left with all the points Albion didn’t overly push to kill ute throw into the box, Yacob made as Bournemouth were poor, if mostly An interesting boutique bar served off the game but were awarded a a hash of his header and untested, in most departments. host, with independently brewed penalty just before half-time. Gard- prodded home from close range. In beers, scotch eggs, and lots of ner’s attempt (our third penalty miss retrospect not pushing harder for a Even so it was a great day out and a banter. A celebratory feel perhaps in a row and fourth from five this second goal was costly and it would nice way to wish friends all the best not only because we had achieved season) was pushed onto the bar be yet another game that we really for the summer. Thanks to everyone the magical (!) 40 points but also before Gards missed the rebound. should have won. Perhaps Tony was for their company this season and that the end of the season was near It was more shots on target in 3 keen to keep it at 1-0 to add to his particularly to Max for his organisa- and maybe the following season seconds than in some full games but collection this season - seven of our tional prowess. For me the football would provide more entertainment the failure to go 2-0 up was a warn- ten wins finished with that score-line on show has made it a strangely (if we spend the extra revenue we’ve ing that there was life in the game and we were still yet to win by two or unsatisfying season but there were heard so much about well). Certainly yet. Neither team looked likely, or more. plenty of highlights and some great there was more entertainment from particularly interested, in getting the There was action in the closing away days - to quote a classic Lon- the table in the pub playing ‘Cards next goal - I guess both teams really minutes with Berahino going close don-based film to close this London Against Humanity’ (coat-hangers?) were, literally, already at the beach. before Dawson hit the post right at Baggies report: “it’s been emotion- than in many of the games endured It’s tempting to say an equaliser the death. If we had played with the al”. this season. was inevitable but it was hard to urgency and tempo of the last five THE NEW BOYS

Burnley FC Dyche stayed and they bounced to win only twice more in the sea- in the League; 4 in the League Cup) League Position: Champions (93 straight back last season. Managerial son. They survived relegation on the Goals for – 63; Goals agst – 31 Points) continuity and the accumulation of final day, but went into melt-down Top Scorer: Andre Gray – 23 (all in premiership experience suggests the following season. While England were winning the the League) that they may well fell fare better this tried to get them promoted, but was World Cup in 1966, ‘Boro were get- Goals for – 72; Goals agst – 35 time. frustrated by transfer restrictions and ting relegated to the old 3rd Division Club Mascot: Alistair Campbell Hull City AFC eventually left for Leicester, before for the first time in their history. With League Position: Champions (83 took over in June 2012. ’s help, they regained Like the Albion, a club with a rich Points) They were promoted in 2013 and top-flight status in 1974, but in history and mixed fortunes. The Top Scorer: Abel Hernández – 22 (21 led Arsenal 2-0 in the 2014 FA Cup the mid-80s a series of disastrous smallest town ever to play at the top in the League; 1 in the League Cup) Final, before succumbing 2-3. The seasons saw them nearly drop out level, they are one of three clubs Goals for – 35; Goals agst – 34 2013/14 season saw their highest of the league. They were rescued (Wolves and Preston are the other ever finish, in 16th place (one point by Steve Gibson in 1986, enjoyed a two) to have won all top four divi- First promoted to the Premiership, and one place above the Albion), rapid rise to the top flight (so as to sions. Burnley first made it to the via the paly-offs, in May 2008, Hull but they were relegated the follow- be present at the birth of the Pre- in 2009/10 (under had moved from bottom to top divi- ing season, along with Burnley (and mier League), but then settled into ), but, despite winning sion in just 5 seasons. They lost only QPR – remember them). a period of yo-yoism (under, among their first four home games, were one of their first nine Premiership others, ). Again, recent immediately relegated. games (which included away wins Middlesbrough FC experience of the premiership sug- got them promoted in 2014/15, but over Spurs and Arsenal and a 3-0 League Position: 2nd (89 Points) gests that they will not necessarily again they lasted a single season. home win over Albion), but went on Top Scorer: Cristhian Stuani – 11 (7 be cannon-fodder. The Quiet Zone: Who was the Albion’s Halford’s worst ever signing? Nicholas Anelka and Saunders or Pulis? Tony Pulis. 2016/7 Season Fixtures Q&A . A rock and a hard Your favourite song or 13 Aug A Crystal Palace place. chant? 20 Aug H Everton London Baggie Dave It has evolved under 28 Aug H Middlesbrough Wiltshire tells us about his Tony Pulis from: 10 Sep A AFC Bournemouth life as an Albion fan. Your favourite all-time player? How sh*t must you be? 17 Sep H West Ham 24 Sep A Stoke City Mondeo Man, White Van . But I can We’re winning away! remember Mozza more How sh*t must you be? 1 Oct A Sunderland Man and now a proud 15 Oct H Tottenham owner of a Vespa. Yes, he clearly. We’ve scored a goal! 22 Oct A Liverpool has all the travel options How sh*t must you be? 29 Oct H Man City including Two Together on Best away ground? We’ve had a shot! 5 Nov A Leicester the trains and a Freedom Newcastle. Sh*t view How sh*t must you be? 19 Nov H Burnely Pass to see him watch The but wonderful city. We’re in your half! 26 Nov A Hull City Baggies home and away. 3 Dec H Watford Best away strip? Your biggest ever 10 Dec A Chelsea Why the Baggies? Blue and white stripes, Albion-related let 13 Dec H Swansea 17 Dec H Man Utd Ronnie Allen’s Cup Fi- navy shorts (when we down? nal penalty 1954. Lived 26 Dec A Arsenal can). Appointment of Tony 31 Dec A Southampton and brought up in Pulis. Tottenham but born in 2 Jan H Hull City All-time favourite 14 Jan A Tottenham the Allum Hospital, now match? If you had the chance 21 Jan H Sunderland . So that’s my Swansea home semi-fi- to have a drink or a 31 Jan A Middlesbrough team. nal play off. Unstop- meal with an ex-Bag- 4 Feb H Stoke City pable that night in that gie, who would it be 11 Feb A West Ham Your first game? atmosphere. and why? 25 Feb H AFC Bournemouth Don’t really remember Tony Pulis. With any 4 Mar H Crystal Palace but it would have been 11 Mar A Everton Biggest ever Albion luck he might be an 18 Mar H Arsenal my uncle taking me in let-down? ex-Baggie when this is the 1955/56 season on 1 Apr A Man Utd Appointment of Tony printed. 4 Apr A Watford the Glideaways coach Pulis. I need to ask him the 8 Apr H Southampton from The George in philosophy behind Ben 15 Apr H Liverpool Warley. Super Bob or Super Foster wasting time at 22 Apr A Man City Kev? the Emirates when we 29 Apr H Leicester Brummie, , Super Bob. A support- are 1-0 down! A new 6 May A Burnley Halford’s Lane or East er as well. Albion low for me. 13 May H Chelsea Stand? 21 May A Swansea The Highs Genesis of the The first two home trips London Baggies: 22 members went to see WBA v Spurs on 2nd October 1976. Albion were 2-0 down at half time but stormed back in the second half to win 4-2. A The What; The Why; week later 25 members saw us beat Man Utd 4-0 at The Hawthorns. The Wherefore First away trip See under Lows.

On the 27th September note of that meeting lists The Glory Days WHAT? 1976, after receiving the the fifteen present, records The Club’s early years coincided with the most recent of Albion’s golden approval and blessing of the the appointment of Chair, eras. There were two FA Cup semi finals, a third place finish in the League Albion administration, the Secretary, Travel Secretary (which should have been second) and trips to Izmir, and Belgrade. London Baggies held their and four Committee Mem- Average membership stood at 135 each season, but 180 London Baggies inaugural meeting in The Al- bers and then notes the were at Highbury to see us lose to a single Clive Allen goal in the 1982 semi bion pub, in Ludgate Circus. following: “Pilot constitution final. Fifteen people attended. proposed and adopted. Peter Gregory was elected General aims for further The Legends Chairman and the inimita- development outlined and The Club held at least two social events each year at its Ludgate Circus HQ ble and sadly-missed Rab discussed. A most success- and Albion greats were happy to attend. The first guest was Tony Matthews, Rogers elected Secretary. ful meeting.” Albion’s statistician, and he was followed by Ally Robertson, John Osborne, Rab’s wonderfully succinct Gary Owen, Tony Brown, Brendan Batson, , Ron Wyllie, and (among others). After Albion had beaten West Ham Rab and Peter first met on (£92 in today’s money) and, on 2nd June 1983, the entire team coach (the players, directors and staff) WHy? the train to Oldham on the when they bumped into a spent the evening eating, drinking and socialising with the London Branch. last day of the 1975/6 sea- group of Manchester City son. They were on their way London SC members who The Euston Express to watch the Baggies secure had paid only £2 to travel Among the six original committee members was Mark Gardner, a profes- promotion back to the First to Manchester, the way for- sional journalist. He produced the club’s first magazine the ‘Euston Express’, Division. They’d paid £12 ward seemed obvious. which was so successful that the club shop started selling copies. each for their train tickets In stark contrast to Rab’s concise record of the inaugural meeting, copies of the Euston Express were voluminous, peaking at about 17,000 words an issue. The December 1977 issue includes: a lengthy lament of Albion’s shock away defeat to Bury in the League Cup; A piece from Rab, glorying in Laurie Cunnigham’s skills; a verbatim record of a branch discus- sion regarding social events (covering three, closely-typed pages; an Travelling in Style 86 members travelled to the 1977/78 FA Cup 6th round tie against Forest and an entire Inter City coach was reserved for the party. The Lows

Fan-Friendly Scheduling Trips to midweek matches (including, in the 1978/79 season, European matches) First away trip were a breeze. Matches kicked Ipswich v WBA, 6th No- off at 19:30, half time lasted vember 1976. 7-0, since Taken in front of the old Halfords Road stand prior to a for just 10 minutes and a fleet you ask. Nevertheless, the match v Villa on 22/4/78. Club members were given a of special buses waited out- club went from strength to tour of the ground prior to the match. side the Hawthorns to whisk strength over the next few supporters non-stop to New Street. seasons organising trips to Albion-adapted version of the 12 There was thus never any problem all home games and most of Days of Christmas; an analysis from making the 21:48 train and getting the away games, until… Tony Matthews of the 47 penalties into Euston at 23:25 – in time to Tony Brown took for the Albion - he make the last trains home. The Final Straw scored 40 of them – followed by a The 1985/86 season, which correction from the editor (the Albi- The Highlife saw four (4) Albion victo- on’s official statistician had missed Peter Gregory stepped down as ries and coincided with Bomber’s successful conversion Chairman after two seasons and Taken outside the old Throstles Club on the Birming- other nastiness in the form in the 1977 semi-final of the Ten- was succeeded by Roy Barton, a ham Road on 22/1/77 prior to a game against Leeds of Heysel, Bradford and Hillsborough, delivered a nent-Caledonian Cup, at Ibrox – so rather wealthy businessman. Roy Back Row: Rab Rogers, Laurie Rampling, N/K, Gerry he actually put away 41 of 48 spot had his own private plane and on Fleming, Pete Lewis, Mark Gardner, Judy Saggers, body-blow and members re- kicks); a 1,500 word piece on the one occasion he used it to take club Barry Saggers treated to lick their wounds history of football in Eire; a spoof members to a midweek League Cup Middle Row: Unknown couple (the only match they for a couple of seasons, until ever attended with the club), Peter Gregory. Paul Mason delivered the horoscope column; the 2nd part of tie at Bury. Then he sponsored the Front Row; Malcolm Fisher, N/K, N/K, John Else, N/K a comprehensive review of all of the league game against Bristol City (1st kiss of life in 1989/90 (see games Albion have played against January 1979), on behalf of the Club last issue). overseas opposition (Zenit FC, Tbilisi (and treated those who had made Dynamo, the Central Soviet Army the most trips in the season to a pre- (Home and Away), Athletic Bilbao, et match meal in one of the executive al); countless match reports; and a boxes). We won the game 3-1 and myriad of banter. went top of the League. Take a trip down memory lane...

With one of the first issues of Baggie Shorts, printed in August 1995. The pre-season volume includes a match report from a friendly against Kettering Town and a review of the WBASCLB cricket team, plus a diary of Summer transfers gossip.