Baggie Shorts WEST BROMWICH ALBION LONDON SUPPORTERS CLUB ISSUE 20 The Africa Special Second Edi�on01 contents 07 Albion’s Africans 03 Jon Want 25 View from Peter Osaze the Chair Odemwingie Steve Watts 17 Glenn Hess An East African Adventure 05 Laurie Rampling 29 A letter from African Players the editors Survey A wonderful picture by Laurie Rampling of two African Baggies, Youssouf Mulumbu and Peter Odemwingie. Glenn Hess 24 Aidan Rose Where are They now? the other africans Laurie Rampling Peter Odemwingie is one of a number of Albion players who have represented African na�ons in interna�onal football but weren’t born in that country. This edi�on was inspired by a conversa�on Aidan Rose had with his local pharmacist, Nalin Shah. Nalin was raised in Kenya and Semi Ajayi (Nigeria, born in England) remembered the tour as a young boy. Thanks to him for conveying Diomansy Kamara (Senegal, born in France) his memories. Abdoulaye Méïté (Ivory Coast, born in France) Allan Nyom (Cameroon, born in France) Email us at: BaggieShorts@b�nternet.com @LondonBaggies Pelé (Cape Verde, born in Portugal) We always appreciate submissions, from match West Bromwich Albion Supporters Peter Odemwingie (Nigeria, born in Uzbek SSR, Soviet Union) Club London Branch reports and photos to op-eds and think pieces. Bakary Sako (Mali, born in France) @LondonBaggies Thanks, as always, to Laurie Rampling for supplying Georges Santos (Cape Verde, born in France) so many photographs W londonbaggies.com Sam Sodje (Nigeria, born in England) 01 02 season on the pitch even if it is reappear i.e. average points per behind closed doors. game might be accepted as a default view from the if the 2020-21 season is cut short. Whilst recognising that the current situa�on is unprecedented, we all All of this football talk fades into a entered the season with a certain degree of insignificance when lives set of assump�ons, hopes and are being lost and families are losing chair expecta�ons in that we would play their loved ones. Of course, we, the 46 league games and 3 EFL teams London Baggies, are a family would be promoted to the Premier ourselves and will remain so during League. The rules of engagement these challenging �mes. If there is Welcome everyone to our very require all sorts of makeshi� were clear from the start and that is anything we can do for each other special Africa edi�on. I have solu�ons based on sta�s�cs and why I hope, with some adjustments, during these awful �mes, I’m sure promised that I will not steal the assump�ons – even though it that we can play that scenario out. we will rally round and do it. If you (African?) thunder from my seems most of the suggested feel the need to speak to someone, colleagues on this special thema�c op�ons might work in Albion’s What we then decide to do next or drop them a text, or send an e- edi�on of Baggie Shorts - so more favour. seasonisupforgrabsbutatleastwe mail, have a Zoom/Teams chat then of that wonderful con�nent would know at the outset what the I’m sure that few minutes will be elsewhere. I’m really not sure if it will be new “normal” was and could appreciated by your fellow London possible to finish the season, respond accordingly. We’d all be on Baggies. My message is related more to the although I do hope that is the case, the same page as to how the season (African?) elephant in the room – but it s�ll leaves many ques�ons would operate and what the rules Above all else, stay safe and I hope and apologies for those dreadful unanswered. What do fans do? were on promo�on/relega�on. We you and your loved ones remain puns! What about season �cket holders? could hopefully also agree fall back buoyant, healthy and well during What do we do for next season? posi�ons if we found ourselves in a these trying �mes. The current pandemic and the What division might we be in? Will similar posi�on should COVID COVID-19 situa�on is affec�ng all of there be any games next season? us and has all but ended the Might the next season be curtailed? Steve Wa�s, Chair London Baggies football season early – albeit there Will London Baggies ever have is s�ll a poten�al for games to be another social event? Etc. Etc. TLIMS - The Lord Is My Shepherd played behind closed doors which would at least give us a footballing On a personal level, I believe it denouement. The alterna�ves would be be�er to complete this 03 04 a letter from the about the virus “the support to Peter George by all Europeans are worried about the players and Slaven, the us but we are worried about statement by us that we were them”. not going to furlough any of our staff whilst Newcastle editors My favourite African player United, Spurs and Liverpool was Roger Milla who was so were happy to do that to their amazing for Cameroon in the people. EVEN Piers Morgan 1990 World Cup finals and took �me to praise us on TV. HELLO FROM BAGGIES football firsts, including the was at least 105 years old. SHORTS VIRUS FREE trip to the Great Wall of China, I’m really surprised that In this issue, Jon Want reviews HEADQUARTERS and the Africa tour was also a Arsenal fan knows who we the Albion African-born first visit for a Bri�sh team. It are! I’m delighted to advise that players while Aidan reveals was a series of tough games It’s going to be tough for a we, your intrepid Baggie the results of the poll “Best that were not for the faint- while but when the fog clears Shorts team, are all safe and Albion African Player” - no hearted and a lot of the we will hopefully be in the well and we very much hope surprises there. There is the tackling would result in red Premiership, we will be you are too. latest quiz from Adam - get cards today. It was certainly watching at and going to The your thinking caps on (it ain’t Thanks to the amazing Laurie an eye opener and a culture Shrine easy) and I’ve penned some Rampling, this issue is built shock. facts and figures on the I’ll sign off by saying we are around his help on taking us Africa represents 17% of the magnificent Peter O. Also, s�ll finishing our promo�on back to our 1968 tour of east world’s popula�on and some many thanks Steve for his issue which will follow this Africa a�er our fantas�c FA 1.3 billion people live there. update on the state of play at shortly - you lucky boys and Cup success. Ray Wilson, our No one will be surprised by London Baggies. girls. Sco�sh le� back from that mesayingitisalso thepoorest Keep well, stay safe. Good �me, provided Laurie with The way the club has handled con�nent. However, it hasn’t luck. shots of our players and we itself during this pandemic has had much of a problem with ask, “Where are they now?” been nothing short of Glenn COVID-19 and I read while which Laurie answers. exemplary. From the researching for this editorial telephone calls by players to Our club has been involved in that Felwine Sarr, a our older supporters, the a lot of unique historical Senegalese academic, said 05 06 Born: 4 Aug 1993 (age 26), Burundi At Albion: 2004-2017 Albion’s Africans Appearances: 75+46 Goals: 36 Berahino needs no introduc�on to While a number of Albion players have won international caps for Baggies fans. His early life was a tragic story when his father was killed in the African countries, there are a select number of those who have Burundian civil war. He travelled to worn the famous blue and white to have been born on the Dark England alone at the age of ten and Continent.Jon Want takes a brief look at their Albion careers. was eventually reunited with his mother and sisters in Birmingham. A�er becoming one of the most Born: 23 Apr 1988 (age 32), Nigeria At Albion: 2013-2016 talented youngsters to emerge from Appearances: 31+32 Goals: 9 the Albion academy, burs�ng into the “Big Vic” was signed from Everton at na�onal consciousness with a goal at the end of the transfer window in the Old Trafford, he ended up at the Picture by Laurie Rampling summer of 2013 in a deal that was centre of a transfer saga that although he has not reached those poten�ally worth £6m. ul�mately cost him a promising heights since. Premier League career. If there was a goals element in that Interna�onally, he rose through the fee, I suspect it was never ac�vated as This season has seen something of a England youth setup to earn a senior the Lagos-born striker managed just recovery in his career as he moved to call up in November 2014 although nine goals for the Baggies over three Belgian club, Zulte Waregem, scoring didn’t win a full cap. He has since three �mes in his first four games, seasons. Born: 7 Oct 1977 (age 42), Mali At Albion: 2003-2005 He had the remarkable sta�s�c that Picture by Laurie Rampling Appearances: 3+1 Goals: 0 Albion never won a Premier League moved to China the following January Perhaps one of the more forge�able game in which he scored, but he to play for Beijing Enterprises.