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Home , Brian Talbot, British League Cup, Chris Whyte, Darren Moore, Dean Kiely, Garry Monk

SHORTS ISSUE 15 ALBION BAGGI SUPPORTERS CLUB e contents View from the Chair 08 What appeared so promising a went up, would many of the younger couple of weeks ago with wins at players get a chance to play when the Villa and QPR has now fallen a bit flat emphasis will be on ‘experience’ and Villa Match after the Sheffield United and Leeds survival? Unfortunately, without the 03 Report 14 defeats. It now seems unlikely we will additional `learning’ from another Glenn Hess be top two although I’m reluctant to Championship season, I also suspect give up just yet, given the nature of Darren will continue to be found View from the 09 Night this crazy league. At least the play- a little wanting in terms of tactics, Chair Ian Tinsley offs look reasonably assured. timeliness of substitutions and squad Steve Watts rotation – which means Albion going The Magic of the So, is the glass half-full or half-empty up could end in tears. 04 Cup 17 for Albion? Mark Jones I felt that against Sheffield United, I like but it has felt their swarming, pressing game in challenging as a supporter to fully midfield (and in fact all over the Letter from the The New Boys 10 appreciate that he’s still learning park) meant that our engine room Editors Jon Want ‘on the job’. We have fared better (Barry and Livermore) couldn’t find Glenn Hess than our relegation partners, Stoke the time and space to get us going. Baggies against the and Swansea, but the squad - on Ditto Leeds. In games like these, the 06 Scots 22 paper at least - looks to be among midfield needs more support and Douglas Gorman the very best (underperforming?) sticking to 4-3-3 is not ideal when in the Championship, although it the three in the middle struggle to A Tribute to 12 Q&A with Steve would still need major improvement get the ball to the forward three. We Darren Moore Finn if we went up. We have also (finally) need to be more flexible and be able Laurie Rampling Aidan Rose seen younger players such as Leko, to play 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 when the Albion & the Great Harper, Edwards, Rogers and Sam need arises. Wall of China Field in the first team. Mike Moren So half-full, half-empty – I just don’t Whilst I really want to get back in know. But no doubt the joys and the Premiership (no Friday games, tribulations of the Championship will E-mail us at: [email protected] @LondonBaggies hurrah!), I also recognise that perhaps impact us all over the next period. We always appreciate submissions, from match an extra season in this division with Let’s hope it turns out in a way that reports and photos to op-eds and think pieces. @LondonBaggies these younger players breaking benefits the Albion for the best in the through will give us a better chance longer run. The Baggie Shorts Team: West Bromwich Albion of staying in the Premiership for the longer term. It will also allow Darren to Aidan Rose Paul Probyn Supporters Club London Steve Watts Glenn Hess Anoushka Probyn Branch gain more valuable experience. If we Chairman of the London Baggies Photographs by Laurie Rampling W londonbaggies.com 03 A letter from the very close to us all----FA Cup or At this point I would like to say not? how excited and proud I am to be a London Baggie in this Ian Tinsley joins us in this issue era of success and growth. We reporting on a wonderful soiree now have really interesting and with Dean Kiely, which had us all frequent events with ex-players open-mouthed at the eloquent coming to talk to us and recount and very humorous way he witha great deal of humour and editors described his time with Albion secret revelations what it means and some insights into the other to be a Baggie. teams he played with. On the train back to London with photos and interesting We have new venues and a after the game we heard articles about the London Baggies Personally I was really interested growing younger group (present the news of Darren Moore’s and/or the actual Baggies. in his views on ‘Arry and Jaws company naturally excluded). departure -which came as a Jordon which were frank, to put We are important supporters shock to us all. Our Q&A is with Steve Finn, who it mildly. of the JRF ( the Jason Roberts has been a loyal London Baggie Foundation) thanks to Max who Lovely man for sure, but his and for so many years that he was on Thank you to our own Laurie deserves all of our praise for his the new Luton boss’s tactics were nodding terms with King Charles Rampling for allowing us to lift generosity and work and the naive and had made us endure (that is when the monarch could his immediate heartfelt tribute ticket situation. an awful run. still nod). to Darren Moore and publish it verbatim in this issue of Baggies Additionally, hats off to our leader The embarrassing defeats to There is a report on that joyous Shorts. and Il Presidente young Steve for Sheffield United and Leeds, day at the Vile not so long ago his influence in driving us forward and that horrible performance when justice was done and a Two new witters grace this to new ambitions. at home to bottom, nearly- cracking 2-0 win was achieved. edition of Baggie Shorts. Douglas relegated, Ipswich I suppose Gorman recounts the long and There are now 140 of us London greatly contributed to that Jon Want, our statistical chequered history of Albion’s Baggies versus something like 85 decision. mastermind, gives us his take on games against opponents from a year ago!!!! our recent loans----do we have north of the border, while Mike This is an ongoing discussion so enough loan players???? Moran goes even further afield So please join in the fun by please join in and let us know with his fascinating account of tweeting or emailing your your feelings. Steve Watts, Il Presidente, weighs the Albion Foundation’s trek thoughts and feelings to us. We in with his not so secret ambition along the Great Wall of China. are YOUR fanzine. What an issue we have for you to replace Big Dave. Mark Jones London Baggies, full to the brim comes on board with a question Glenn Hess

04 05 When an Albion manager loses his Early on Saturday evening after the job, it is always a difficult time at our game with Ipswich Town, Darren football club. But when that manager Moore walked into that room for the mooro isn’t just any manager, but a club last time, shortly after being relieved legend in every sense of the word, of his coaching duties at the club then it is a very difficult time, and one following, it has to be said, a poor filled with great sadness. Especially performance against bottom of the when that man took over at the helm table Ipswich Town, and bringing to at a very dark time in our history, put an end his Hawthorns career. a smile back on the very fabric of , put a smile back on It goes without saying we will all miss the faces of fans who had perhaps him greatly. I know I will, and that, forgotten to smile, and definitely put I’m sure, will go for everyone who a smile back on my face. has been touched by his enormous personality and presence. Whoever Darren Moore, aka ‘Big Dave’ as we, follows him has big shoes to fill, the fans, affectionately dubbed him, and will be working with a hugely is a larger than life individual, and an talented squad that he has moulded awesome presence in an industry that from the tried and trusted, Academy is slowly losing the charm it always youngsters and loanees, a bunch had for star struck kids, enthralled of ‘misfits’ if you like, that he was with the beautiful game. straining with every sinew to turn into a promotion winning squad. I speak with great authority, because I was one of those kids, still am At the beginning of the pre-season perhaps, and I am not ashamed to say at Barnet, Darren told me this was a so. Those kids of course progressed journey, and we were all part of that to become the fans we have today, journey. Regrettably Mooro will not who now bring their starstruck kids be there to see the journey’s end but to the Shrine, looking for role models I’m sure, knowing the great humility within the sport. There are none more of the man, he will want to wish his suited to that calling than big Mooro. successor all the very best for the rest I first met the big man when he of this campaign. walked into the club way back in 2001, brought in by , to Hopefully this will merely be a thanks for add stability to a creaking rearguard, learning curve for Mooro in his and of course make a difference - fledging managerial career, and he and boy what a difference he made. will be back in the ‘saddle’ at another We soon became firm friends, club very soon. The game needs men and I was always impressed with with great integrity and honesty like everything his positivity, his generosity and Darren Moore, and I’m sure you will his passion for the game; you just want to wish him well for the future. could not help but be enthralled by Thanks Mooro, for everything! A tribute by Laurie Rampling everything the big fella brought to the table. 06 07 0 Aston Villa 2 West Bromwich TALBOT, STAPLETON MATCH Albion and : Saturday16 REPORT February 2019 where did all the magic go? Glenn Hess managed to make it to in goal was saving everything and By Mark Jones to see our wonderful victory. our confidence was growing. We Unfortunately, he failed to go down must stop passing out from the back It’s morning, 12th May 1979; the TV players being paid well but in 1992, the Bush the following Tuesday night though and Barry was caught in is on – The Road to Wembley. For the when the was to see us score in the last minute. possession but luckily nothing came next 8 hours it’s football all the way - ushered in, the average salary in from it. It’s approaching half-time, United v Arsenal. the top flight was £77,000 per year. That’s why I go to football - to see Holgate sends in a great cross and Today, it is £54,000 a week. Average my team superior in every sense HRK leaps, places a looping header: In those days everybody who loved players become multi-millionaires. and silencing a baying 39500 home 0-1. It goes over their 6’7 goalie---Ha football sacrificed this day to immerse Yes, today they sacrifice many crowd. Oh! the joy of winning away Ha! Three minutes later and a super themselves in the romanticism of pleasures to play even in the lower in this, the oldest local derby in British shot from the edge of the penalty winning the cup. To this day I still leagues, but only Newport County football. area by JR: 0-2. Oh how we hugged get emotional seeing Jeff score and and Oldham put a smile on my face and sang! the famous win over Everton in ‘68, this year. Wonderful stories to spend We were going into a huge battle our last major success. What is even endless hours talking ‘what if’. and we were well prepared to be Second half and Villa replaced their more emotive is then seeing all the very strong, to tackle fairly but giving keeper and it was Field on while HRK crowds adorn the route to West This year the door opened again, just no quarter, and to win. Every Albion stayed in the bath. Villa huffed and Bromwich for the civic reception. That like in 2008, several Premier League player was there to win - and it puffed but there was no creativity togetherness, that sense of tribalism, clubs bowing out early on. As I showed. --- I have to admit I thought Smith We were the kings for that moment write we could feasibly be meeting would be a good fit for us but boy in time. Sadly, I wasn’t born. Yet on Millwall in the FA Cup Quarter Final. I knew this was the real Albion spirit was I wrong!!!!! Bartley comes on for that beautiful sunny day in 1979 I The chances of beating Man City especially when I saw we were in Murphy---5-4-1 for us. Added time really took the FA Cup into my heart, - impossible to believe. Underdogs blue shorts. Proper. The team looked and the stands empty of Vile fans--- the day I really wanted to become a have won the cup and will again. up for it and serious. We were the -empty seats, my Lord, empty seats! footballer. better team throughout and from our I’m a romantic, a dreamer who one goalie, who had a terrific game, to We were great----that’s us the fans- So it saddens me that today nobody day would give the world to see WBA our strikers JRod and HRK, everyone --and all the team and Big Dave really seems to care. Second rate lift the FA Cup. To be kings for a day. was resolute. came over to give us a big clap. We teams face each other in the early To see West Bromwich or Oldbury deserved that. rounds: promotion to the Premier light up with Blue and White. So, if I So, a lovely warm afternoon in League considered more important was given a wish from the pantomime which Vile started well but Tammy When I got home I turned on Sky to players and managers happy, it genie it would be to see West Brom shot straight at Johnstone when Sports News to see the highlights would appear, to end their career beat Aston Villa at Wembley 3-2, with he should have scored (going to and the commentator said that West without so much as a medal or a Albion scoring the winner in the 90th be our day). Loads of hard tackles Ham had scored 2 goals just before tankard. Why? Because of money, minute. Life couldn’t get much better, going in and now we are looking half time and were the better team--- pure and simple. I don’t begrudge could it? dangerous on the break. Our Sam Gee thanks! 08 09 Honours were even with one win accepted an invitation to play in each in two games played against the pre-season Tennent Caledonian Baggies against the Scots Kilmarnock in a tournament in New Cup hosted at Ibrox Park, . York in 1966. In 1969 Albion were Albion defeated Rangers, managed - A Scottish View - drawn against Dunfermline Athletic by ex-Baggie Jock Wallace, 2-0 in the in the quarter-finals of the European final to lift the trophy. Unfortunately By Douglas Gorman Cup Winners’ Cup. It was a Scottish they could not retain the cup in the triumph with the Pars winning 1-0 1978 competition when the finished Douglas is an amateur football historian who lives in . on aggregate. The second leg at the fourth. He writes occasional articles for matchday programmes etc., and Hawthorns was played on a bitterly has collaborated in establishing definitive listings of UK amateur cold evening on a heavily sanded If anyone wants to read more about international matches and players and Scottish Junior internationals. pitch, where the fierce wind whipped the Championship of the World up the sand into the players’ faces. In match in 1888 then this link to the 1970 Greenock Morton and Albion Scottish Sports History website will The Baggies have always been Albion won two of the matches with were drawn together in the Texaco lead to a detailed account of the welcome visitors to and the third game drawn. Since then Cup. This was a competition between match. excellent hosts to Scottish clubs. The there have been several occasional clubs in the Football League, Scottish pre-season friendly with Aberdeen matches against Scottish clubs. Some League, Irish League and League http://www.scottishsporthistory.com/ on 20 July 2018 was the 34th match of these have been in competitions of Ireland. Morton won both legs sports-history-news-and-blog/renton- played by Albion against Scottish but many continued to be friendlies. (aggregate score 3-1) to advance world-champions-in-1888-when-a- opposition. The match was drawn Overall, Albion have won 15 matches to the quarter-finals. Success came scottish-village-football-team-reigned- (1-1) as was the first match against with 5 draws and 14 defeats. Albion’s way in 1977 when they supreme 3rd Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers (later Third Lanark) in Glasgow on Scottish clubs have a better record 4 April 1885 (2-2). In the early days in those games that can be classed of the game cross-border matches as competitive matches. However, were a regular part of the season Albion supporters will point to the and amongst Albion’s early matches part the weather played in Scottish against Scottish clubs they played a success in 1888 and 1969. On 19th series of games with Third Lanark, May 1888 Albion travelled to the winning four matches, losing two, with Second in Glasgow as one game drawn. With the successful FA Cup holders to meet Renton who introduction of league football these had won the . The match, matches faded off the fixture list by for the Championship of the World,

the end of the 1890’s. In what proved was played in atrocious conditions in figures: to be Albion’s last match against that required it to be stopped for ten Scottish opposition for almost 64 minutes until the worst of the rain, years they lost 1-3 to Dundee at Dens thunder and lightning had passed. Park, Dundee on 14th October 1895. Renton won 4-1 and commissioned In 1959 Albion met Dundee again a trophy to commemorate the club’s but this time it was in New York. The achievement. The pewter cup is now Scots -

clubs met three times during post- on display at the Scottish Football Baggies against the season tours to the USA and Canada. Museum at Hampden Park, Glasgow. 10 11 The Foundation works with the retracing his own steps. Brendon was Albion and the most disadvantaged and disabled, my room mate for the duration of the locally in the , but also trip and it was an absolute privilege internationally in countries such as to get to know the man. India, Kenya & Nigeria. Core areas Great Wall of China include disability sport, supporting We were also humbled by ‘Blind over 3,000 disabled people through Dave’ Heeley who was accompanied By Mike Moren a range of over 80 disabilities, both by his wonderful family. I attempted physical and mental; “education and to walk blind folded for a couple of engagement”, raising the aspirations, minutes and found it impossible. self-esteem & confidence of How Dave trekked for hour after some of the most disadvantaged hour, day after day, up and down children; and in dementia support treacherous steps and along narrow the Foundation has received walkways defies belief. international recognition for its work. The 165 staff &145 volunteers make Most of the group were strangers a real difference to literally thousands before the journey but everyone of people every single week of the developed a bond of friendship that year. will last for a very long time. Despite The late 1970s was a great time to be parts of the wall, for a minimum of The trek itself did indeed prove to the challenges, freezing cold on many a Baggies fan. Free flowing football, seven hours a day over crumbling be a trip of a lifetime and through nights, ‘interesting’ food at times, wonderfully talented players and a rock and steep stairs, taking on high heightened awareness of the Albion the injuries, aches & pains, there charismatic manager. Just so many climbs with sheer drops either side Foundation we collectively raised was not a single disagreement and I memories made standing on the and spending nights in basic lodges in excess of £100,000, a record- didn’t hear a negative word uttered terraces, but at the time I was also along the way. It will be a once in a breaking achievement for the throughout the trip. Maybe a lifetime totally fascinated by the coverage lifetime opportunity.” Foundation. of supporting the Baggies simply of a ground-breaking tour the club provides the experience needed to made to China, which was a closed A “no brainer” given my love of the Our twenty strong group included successfully handle adversity? society in those days. I never thought Albion & the chance to visit a country Julia and Michelle Regis, wife and that forty years later I would be part that I didn’t know. What I hadn’t daughter of Cyrille. They were both Finally, we certainly disproved a of a small group that retraced the appreciated was how getting to an inspiration to us all, given they theory. To paraphrase the quote from steps of that iconic team. know the Albion Foundation would were trekking with the knowledge 1978 ‘Once you’ve seen one wall, you further increase my pride in being that Cyrille had planned to be part haven’t seen them all’, unless you’ve So how did it come about? I received a Baggie. Witnessing the incredible of the group before his passing. Julia visited the Great Wall of China. an email about twelve months achievements of our official charity summed up the thoughts of many ago: “The Albion Foundation is has been a humbling experience. when she was quoted in the press It’s not too late to support the Albion inviting you to walk the Great Wall The Foundation is one is the three saying it was the hardest thing she Foundation via Mike’s JustGiving Of China to celebrate the 40-year largest football related charities in had ever done. page. Every penny raised directly anniversary of when Albion's 1977- the UK with activity levels far greater supports the charity’s work 78 team visited the world's longest than any of the top six in the Premier Our recent London Baggies guest, piece of architecture This will be a League. Brendon Batson, was another fellow http://www.justgiving.com/owner- challenging trek on un-renovated trekker who of course was literally email/pleasesponsor/MikeMoren

12 13 Dean Kiely meets the London Baggies

By Ian Tinsley joining York City and being part of their famous 3-0 win over February 28th 2019 saw the Manchester United in the League London Baggies welcome Dean Cup. Laurence Kiely to the splendid surroundings of O’Meara’s in After making 137 appearances for Southwark, close to the iconic Bury and winning the old Second Shard Building. Proceedings were Division title in 1996-97, Charlton’s hosted by our resident ‘Parkinson’ Alan Curbishley spotted Dean’s Andy Jones, with a good turnout talent and signed him for £1 million from members and a liberal in 1999. After 222 appearances sprinkling of supporters from other for the Addicks and representing clubs. Dean is a rare individual the Republic of Ireland, he joined who has represented the Baggies and spoke passionately as a player, coach and part of a about keeping the south coast temporary management team, club up and his dealings with giving a fascinating insight into his who blatantly time in football, particularly at the lied concerning his playing future, Albion. signing David James the following day. Born in Salford, Dean spent his formative years in the All this was the prelude to him area and was in the Albion youth being signed by system before being accepted in and joining Albion in January 2007. the FA School of Excellence. Dean explained his journey through Dean’s passion and seriousness for signing his first professional the game shone through, admitting contract with Coventry before to shaving his head to give an

14 15 THE

intimidating impression between Dean’s time at the Albion ended the sticks and having a personal in January 2015 with the arrival performance coach. He re-lived the of , a man he obviously pain of losing to Derby in the playoff didn’t like, referencing the well final and Portsmouth in the FA Cup documented court case with Crystal semi-final, both at Wembley, the Palace to illustrate his character. latter being particularly agonising Dean’s passion for the game shone due to a handball in the lead up to through, and his personal desire to NEW the their winning goal and the team make the absolute maximum of his being managed by Redknapp and talent while treating people with his sidekick, . the respect that his grounding in the lower leagues had forged. Despite these losses, Dean spoke fondly of his time at The Hawthorns The evening will live in the memory including twin promotions under of those present and ended with Mowbray and Di Matteo and the thanks being given by Steve Watts, frustration of wanting our President, and a touching to succeed and having criticism speech by the lone Millwall fan in levelled against himself and Keith the room. BOYS Downing. He threw some light on the infamous game with Cardiff in Dean kindly made a donation to 2014 when Albion, despite being the Jason Roberts Foundation and Jon Want unpacks the latest Albion signings 2-0 up, ended 3-3 with Saido a cheque in the sum of £200 was Berahino being clumped by James passed to the charity. Morrison in the dressing room and a queue of people, including himself, waiting to take their turn.

16 17 Mason Holgate was born in Doncaster and started his Jacob Murphy football career at nearby Barnsley at the age of 9. He broke into the Date of Birth: 24th February 1995 (23) Tykes’ first team in the 2014/15 the season with 28 appearances to his Parent Club: Newcastle United season and went on to make name. Position: Right winger 22 appearances for Barnsley Last season, he made a handful of that season, most of them at his appearances in the early part of the In 2015/16, Murphy was once preferred right back position, season, but didn’t get a run in the side again loaned out for the and scored his only senior goal to until took over, initially season, this time to Coventry date in a 5-0 win over Rochdale replacing in the centre City, where he notched up 42 on the final day of the season. of defence. started this appearances, scoring 10 goals. season with Holgate in central defence 2016/17 proved to be a He moved to Everton in August but dropped him to the bench after breakthrough season for 2015 for a reported fee of £2 Everton’s first defeat of the season at Murphy at Norwich. million but didn’t make his first West Ham. team debut until He scored in an opening day replaced Roberto Martínez. That win at Blackburn and never was against Spurs on the opening looked back, finishing with 40 day of the 2016/17 season on the appearances, 9 goals and 9 left of a back three. He retained assists, and displaying form his spot for the next game, at the that attracted the interest of Hawthorns, and assisted Gareth 02. Newcastle United. Barry’s winner for Everton, ending Jacob Murphy was born in Wembley and he and his twin brother, Josh, joined He signed for the Toon in July Mason Holgate Norwich City as 11-year-olds in 2006. Both 2017 making his debut the were members of the Canaries’ FA Youth following month. His only Date of Birth: 22nd October 1996 (22) Cup winning side of 2013. Premier League goal to date Parent Club: Everton came at the Etihad in a 3-1 Position: Right back/centre back He made his professional debut for the defeat. Canaries in January 2014 but spent the rest of the season on loan to Swindon Town and He has had few opportunities subsequently Southend United, scoring his this season and has made first professional goal in a 3-0 win for the just three starts in the Premier Shrimpers at Rochdale in April 2014. League, the latest being in the draw at Everton where he The following season, Murphy made his provided the assist for Salomón 01. Rondón’s opening goal. first start for the Canaries in the League but spent three spells on loan away from at Blackpool, Scunthorpe His twin brother is now at United and Colchester United. Cardiff City.

18 19

Date of Birth: 8th January 1991 (28) Parent Club: Fulham 03. Position: Central Midfield

Montero started his career in He ended up with 19 goals in 114 games for Celtic and moved to 2007 at Ecuadorian club, Emelec, Stefan Johansen was born in Vardø Fulham in August 2016, making and moved to Europe when in the very north of Norway on the his debut against in he was signed by Spanish club coast near the Finnish border, and September. From mid-October that Villarreal in April 2009. joined FK Bodø/Glimt as a 14-year- year, he became a stalwart of the old. He made his first team debut Fulham midfield and has so far scored He failed to establish himself in at the age of 16, eventually making 21 goals in 104 appearances for the the first team and spent time on 30 appearances before moving to Cottagers, but became a victim of loan at Levante and Strømsgodset IF in January 2011. He Fulham’s summer spending spree this before signing for Mexican club really made his mark at Strømsgodset season. Morelia in June 2012. He spent IF as they won the Norwegian title in

two seasons in Mexico making 67 2013 and also made his debut for He is captain of his national side appearances, scoring 14 goals, the national team that year. before moving to Swansea City in having made 46 appearances for Norway, scoring five goals. July 2014 for an undisclosed fee. His form attracted the interest of He made his debut for the Swans Scottish giants Celtic, and he moved At the start of the following season, off the bench in their 2-1 win at to Parkhead in January 2014 for a fee Montero became a regular in the first on the opening day of £2 million. He made his debut for team but, when Monk was sacked in of the 2014/15 season and ended ’s team as a substitute January, he found his opportunities up making 34 appearances for against Hibs and scored his first more limited. His 2016/17 season was ’s side, scoring one Celtic goal against St Mirren. goal in a 2-0 win over Stoke City disrupted by injury while last season, in May 2015. he was loaned out to Getafe and his first club, Emelec in Ecuador.

Jefferson Montero This season, Montero has made 12 appearances for Swansea, all as a Date of Birth: 1st September 1989 (29) substitute, which means that he has Parent Club: Swansea City made just seven starts since the start 04. Position: Left Winger of the 2016/17 season.

Montero has 64 full international caps and 10 international goals, and was a member of Ecuador’s 2014 World Cup squad.

20 21 Steve works in the water industry so he might go to the car to remove banners, etc Best ever Albion chant? be able to assist with our leaky defence. & discovered a parking ticket, rele- ‘Big Dave, There’s Only One Big gated, mayhem at the ground, drive Dave’ (enter , on Why The Baggies? entire journey home in silence. loan, as a second half sub), ‘Big Stan, After a night at JB’s [an iconic music There’s Only One Big Stan, Small venue], stood up by a mate for a lunch time Best Albion away strip? Dave, There’s Only...... drink in The Little Barrel on Dudley High Yellow and green barcode, ‘92-93. Street, perusing a paper I noticed Albion were All-time favourite manager? at home. Not having been to a game for some Favourite away trip? Ossie Ardiles – it didn’t matter how years and the girlfriend of the time being Al- Huddersfield Town, (Sair, Linthwaite many we conceded, as long as we Q bion inclined, I thought we’d pop along. En- pre match, Rat & Ratchet apres). Nor- scored one more! joyed it. Went a few more times. Tried the wich, (too many great watering holes ‘Dog’Eds’ a few times as well, but just thought to mention) and Sunderland. Most Memorable Away Game? the Albion crowd was a more discerning Alexandra 16th August, ‘97 bunch. The Black Eagle or The Vine? first and second goals The Vine – pint and a Balti. for The Albion. First ever game? As a ‘proper’ supporter Albion v Watford, Best ever game at The Hawthorns? Best trip to Villa Park or The Wolves? 17th March, 1990, player-manag- Crystal Palace 21st April, 2002. 2-0 - Any that we win! I can remember my er, won 2-0, Gary Hackett and , att. Premier League here we come. first visit to Molineux, 6th April, 1991, 9,915. Witnessed the Albion with ‘The Three 2-2: Don Goodman & Tony Ford. Degrees’ at 78-79, on a Mid Kent Water Company social outing, while at & school. Best away ground ? Always enjoyed trips to Sunderland with a vis- it to the Marsden Grotto pub in South Shields. was ok but the of Light in full voice takes some beating for me.

Worst away ground? Some might say quaint or shabby chic, or just plain s**t-hole: , Luton Town has got to be up there. Went again a few sea- sons ago for the Checkatrade farcical compe- tition and it had not changed a bit.

A Worst away journey? Steve Finn Rovers, Twerton Park, 11th May, 91. Lasted three minutes in the home end before interviewed by requesting to re-locate. Half time allowed to Aidan Rose 22 23 WWW: londonbaggies.com

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