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The greatest football match ever? Friday, October 17, 2008

Image via WikipediaWest Bromwich Albion go to Man Utd tomorrow with little hope of winning, but Hull have proved that sometimes Giants can fall in the Premier League.

It's been a long time since West Brom won at Old Trafford but one such win was the game below that still lives in the memory of many - even considered one of the best games ever by the Daily Mail, when West Brom pulled off an astonishing 3-5 win in the magical era of 1978. Ron Atkinson was West Brom Manager and Cyrille Regis and Laurie Cunningham were in devastating form, with Bryan Robson just emerging as a great player.

Labels: Manchester United F.C., Old Trafford, Premier League, Ron Atkinson, WBA, west brom, West Bromwich Albion F.C.

posted by John Wilson @ 9:58 PM Permanent Link ,

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WBA - Championship Winners 2008 Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Image via WikipediaLast Sunday was simply the best day I've ever had as a passionate fan of West Bromwich Albion, when the Club won its' first title in 88 years and its' first trophy in 40 years by winning the Coca-Cola Championship.

WBA were playing in front of a sell-out crowd at Loftus Road, QPR's home ground. Sadly I'd failed to get a ticket in the WBA section, but had been given two QPR season tickets for the game by a friend so that my youngest daughter and I could go along.

The Shepherds Bush neighbourhood bore witness to a party atmosphere before the game, given that West Brom had already secured promotion the previous Monday and the fans had decided to wear Superhero costumes to the game in honour of our leading goal scorer "Super Kev" Phillips.

Sitting amongst the QPR fans, my daughter was under strict instructions not to do anything to highlight she was an Albion fan, lest we annoy the home fans or get kicked out! This was a tall order, especially when our two goals went in. But at the end of the match after we had sealed the title with a 2-0 win, we peeled off our jumpers to reveal our true colours [WBA shirts] to join in the celebrations.

Evidently the Football League must have thought we would win the title, as the trophy was on hand and was presented to the team at the end of the match to our great delight. To their credit, the QPR fans took it in good grace and delayed their end of season lap of honour by 20 minutes.

Walking away from the ground, West Brom fans [Baggies] were beaming with joy and hugging each other. I was so elated to have been there and experience the occasion in the company of my daughter, which is a memory I will always treasure.

Labels: Coca-Cola Championship, Football League Championship, WBA, west brom, West Bromwich Albion F.C.

posted by John Wilson @ 3:37 PM Permanent Link ,

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We're going to Wembley, my knees have gone all trembley! Monday, March 10, 2008

Sorry, but I just can't help but share my elation that West Brom are going to Wembley to play in an FA Cup Semi-Final. With the competition wide open, following the astonishing exit of Manchester United and Chelsea in the last round, every team stands a reasonable chance of lifting the trophy.

West Brom last won the FA Cup 40 years ago this year. Only one side has ever won promotion and the FA Cup in the same season - and that was Albion in 1931.

Having been to Wembley last year for the playoff final that West Brom lost to Derby, it is amazing to be going back so soon.

Slight panic after winning last night's game was that my youngest daughter's birthday is scheduled for the same day as the semi - fortunately she is a big West Brom fan too, so the party is getting moved! After all you have a birthday every year, but we haven't been in the semis since 1982.

C'mon you baggies.

Labels: football, west brom

posted by John Wilson @ 11:55 AM Permanent Link ,

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