The Hawthorns (West Bromwich Albion)

Welcome to the latest instalment of the Gloucester Groundhopper blog.

For this instalment, Luke the Stuart Dallas fan, AFC Finners and I travelled to West Bromwich to see West Bromwich Albion take on Rotherham United at the Hawthorns. I've been to the stadium several times, the first time in the League Cup when West Brom beat Cheltenham Town 3-1. I also went there a few years ago when West Brom beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1, a day that myself and AFC Finners still remember fondly because we famously arrived a week early for the game without realising it until very close to kick-off. Other trips included a 0-0 tie between West Brom and Crystal Palace and an Arsenal victory of 6-0 over a young West Brom team in 2021.

West Bromwich Albion is famous for its game atmosphere, as they play the famous Liquidator tune before kick-off. They've also made 'Lord's My Shepherd' their anthem, which goes as follows:

The lord's my shepherd,

I'll not want,

He makes me down to lie,

In pastures green,

He leadeth me,

The quiet waters by.

THE WEST BROM!

THE WEST BROM!

As a result, we anticipated a pleasant atmosphere when we arrived...

It's All In The Name

West Brom are known as the 'Baggies,' and there are several possible explanations for this. According to one theory, when they first arrived at The Hawthorns in 1900, their stadium only had two entrances - one behind each goal - so gatekeepers would collect money from spectators in large bags. The crowd would yell "here comes the bag man," which inspired the 'Baggies' title.

Another theory is that many early Albion supporters worked in the Black Country's many factories, mills, and steel works, where they wore large, baggy moleskin aprons and trousers to protect themselves from molten iron. As a result, rivals Aston Villa used to yell at their Midlands counterparts, "here come the bag men!"

Other previously proposed solutions include supporters bringing large bags to pubs to help save the club from extinction in 1905, and the club nearly going bankrupt at the time saw many of their large players replaced by smaller players, making the same kits look far baggier in their skins than in the predecessors'.

Some Notable Former Players

Cyrille Regis

Laurie Cunningham

Jeff Astle

Bryan Robson

Nicolas Anelka

Romelu Lukaku

Some Notable People From West Bromwich:

• Denise Lewis-Heptathlete

• Frank Skinner-Comedian

• Philip Lynott- Thin Lizzy Singer

• Robert Plant- Led Zeppelin Singer

• Al Atkins- Founder of the Judas Priest

A History Lesson From AFC Finners

West Bromwich Albion were founded in 1878 as West Bromwich Strollers by a group of saltworks workers. After renaming themselves the Albion in 1880, they joined the Birmingham and District League in 1881. They won the Staffordshire cup in 1883, joined the Football Association, and went professional in 1885.

They reached their first FA Cup final in 1886, but were defeated by Blackburn Rovers, and suffered a similar fate the following year when they were defeated by Aston Villa. However, they struck gold a third time in 1888, defeating Preston North End in the final to claim their first major trophy.

That same year, they became one of the founding members of the Football League, and four years later, they won their second FA Cup by defeating Aston Villa in the final. They moved to their current home in the Hawthorns in 1900, but were relegated the following year, and after bouncing back the following season, they were relegated again.

They won the Second Division again in 1911, but were defeated in the FA Cup final by Barnsley the following year. There were sunlit uplands on the other side of the Great War, as West Bromwich Albion won the top flight for the first and only time in 1920, amassing 60 points and scoring 104 goals. They finished second in 1925 before being relegated in 1927. In 1931, they were promoted and also won the FA Cup, defeating Birmingham City at Wembley. However, the 1930s brought more heartbreak as they lost the 1935 FA Cup final and were relegated in 1938.

After World War II, they were promoted in 1949 and spent the next 24 years in the First Division. The team had great success in the 1950s and 1960s, and they won the FA Cup in 1954 when they defeated Preston North End in the final, managed by the great Vic Buckingham. They came agonisingly close to completing the double, but were beaten by rivals Wolves in the league. Their 50s team gained attention for their fluid, attacking style of play, and they finished the decade with a number of impressive league finishes.

Tony Brown and Jeff Astle, the great strike partnership of the 1960s, scored goals for fun. They won the 1966 League Cup final after defeating West Ham over two legs, and they returned the following year, losing to QPR. In 1968, they reached the FA Cup final, where they won the famous trophy for the fifth time thanks to a solitary goal from Jeff Astle. They reached the quarter-finals of the Cup Winners Cup during their European adventure, and they finished runners-up in the 1970 League Cup final.

However, they slipped in the 1970s and were relegated in 1973. Three years later, Johnny Giles led them to promotion, and they rose again under Ron Atkinson, becoming the first English professional team to play in China on a five-game tour.

West Bromwich Albion set a precedent by fielding three black players: Cyril Regis, Brendon Batson, and Laurie Cunningham. Such an act was unprecedented in England at the time, and despite the vile abuse they received, they changed the game forever, inspiring people from oppressed backgrounds by demonstrating that football was for everyone.

Ron Atkinson guided the Baggies to third place in Division One and a place in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals. However, the 1980s were a disastrous decade for the club, as they were relegated with their worst-ever top-flight record in 1986, and five years later, they were relegated to the third tier.

Under Ossie Ardilles' management, they defeated Port Vale 3-0 in the playoff final at Wembley in 1993. They spent a long time in the second tier before being promoted to the Premier League for the first time in 2002 under Gary Megson. They would be demoted immediately, but then immediately promoted. Bryan Robson led them to an incredible great escape in 2005, surviving on the final day and becoming the first club bottom at Christmas not to be relegated. They couldn't pull off the escape act twice and were relegated the following season. They lost the 2007 playoff final to Derby, but they advanced to the FA Cup semi-finals the following year. There were celebrations soon after losing to Portsmouth, as Tony Mowbray led them to the Championship title the following month.

They were relegated again the following season, but returned the following season. They would spend the next eight years in the Premier League, with Steve Clark leading them to an eighth-place finish in 2013, and Roy Hodgson and Tony Pulis both leading them to tenth-place finishes.

However, after a disastrous 17-18 season, they were relegated, and they returned two years later, only to be relegated again. Since then, they have remained in the Championship, and the season has been a disappointment for the Baggies, who hope to return to the Premier League's land of milk and honey soon.

And here's a fun fact: they were the first band to use the word "Albion" in their name.

Honours

🏆 Football League First Division/Premier League (Champions: 1919–20)(Runners-up: 1924–25, 1953–54)

🏆 Football League Second Division/EFL Championship (Champions: 1901–02, 1910–11, 2007–08) (Runners-up: 1930–31, 1948–49, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2009–10, 2019–20)

🏆 Football League Third Division/EFL League One (Play-off winners: 1992–93)

🏆 FA Cup (Winners: 1888, 1892, 1931, 1954, 1968) (Finalists: 1886, 1887, 1895, 1912, 1935)

🏆 Football League Cup (Winners: 1966) (Finalists: 1967, 1970)

🏆 FA Charity Shield (Winners: 1920, 1954 (shared)) (Runners-up: 1931, 1968)

🏆 FA Youth Cup (Winners: 1976) (Finalists: 1955, 1969)

🏆 Football World Championship (Runners-up: 1888)

🏆 Tennent Caledonian Cup (Winners: 1977)

🏆 Watney Cup (Finalists: 1971)

An Interview With West Bromwich Albion Supporter: Ben Windridge

GG: Could you tell us a little bit about West Bromwich Albion?

BW: We were founded in 1880, but we have a two-year history as "West Bromwich Strollers," which was formed by a group of workers from Salters Spring Works. We won Division One in 1919-20, were runners-up twice, but won the FA Cup five times and appeared in ten finals. We were previously known as the throstles, but more recently as the baggies! Our rivals are Wolves, Birmingham City, and Aston Villa. "The Lord's my Shepherd," is our adopted chant.

GG: How long have you been a West Brom fan, and can you recall your first game?

BW: I've been a West Brom fan for over 30 years (I did like Man Utd, but my dad put pay to that). My first game was against Blackpool in 1992, and we won 3-1 in the old second division. We had Simon Garner, Bob Taylor, McNally, and Darrel Burgess on the team, and Ozzie Ardiles was the manager.

GG: Can you tell us a fun West Brom fact?

BW: The highest stadium in the country above sea level.

GG: How do you feel about supporting West Brom in the Championship versus the Premier League?

BW: Although not this season, supporting West Brom in the Championship is far more enjoyable; there is no VAR, we have a chance of winning more, and it's extremely competitive; however, the Premier League boasts higher revenues, larger stadia, and is where we all strive to be.

GG: How important is the club to the community?

BW: West Bromwich Albion is and always has been a family-feeling, community club at heart, with the Albion foundation, supporters club meetings, and the club frequently reaches out to special causes in all areas of the community. The club means a lot to all of us; it's a historic, proud, and highly professional club from top to bottom (again recent events hurt us)

GG: What are the clubs' long-term goals?

BW: The club's goal for the near future is promotion and financial stability. This club has always been in the black, from Millerchip to Peace and so on, a superbly, diligent enterprise that we want to return as soon as possible.

GG: What do you think is the most famous thing that has happened on the pitch?

BW: The most famous event for me was the pitch invasion following the great escape against Portsmouth in the 2004/05 season.

GG: If you could only sign one player to play for West Brom for one game, who would it be?

BW: Kevin de Bruyne is the player I'd sign. He's a genius with his passing range, goalscoring ability, and all-around game, and I'd love to have him here.

GG: What is your favourite aspect of being a football fan?

BW: My favourite part of supporting us is the sense of belonging. I have good friends like Byron Melia, Taylor West, Gary Greenway, and Glen Rosenbach, as well as many others, who regularly travel the length and breadth of the country following our great club. It's a tight knit, well cared for, knowledgeable support base that I wouldn't change for the world, and one that has been in my family for a century or more.

GG: Who is the best footballer you've seen play at the West Bromwich Albion Stadium?

BW: We've had some wonderful players over the years, my hero is Cyrille Regis (my dog is named after him) and he, Cunningham, and Batson did wonders for our club, but I wasn't around so for my generation it had to be Mattheus Pereira, what a player. He controlled games single handed and is the best technically I feel I have witnessed here.

GG: Finally, can you tell us why people should come to West Bromwich Albion?

BW: People should come to West Brom because it is steeped in history, a stadium full of atmosphere, based on traditional values, and a place where people of all cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and religious backgrounds are welcomed with open arms. We are a proud club that is at the heart of us all.

'I’m Albion till I die

I know I am,

I’m sure I am,

I’m Albion till I die.'

Matchday: West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Rotherham United

On a freezing Saturday morning, we drove to West Brom. We arrived at the stadium shortly after midday and parked in one of the available Matchday parking lots. We paid £7 for the privilege and were done with it. We decided to get some lunch at a nearby Greggs (all day Tuna Crunch baguette) before checking out the fan zone just outside. There's a big screen showing the early kickoff (Aberdeen vs Celtic) and plenty of games for kids to play. There is also live music for people to enjoy.

We then completed our standard ground circuit. The Hawthorns stadium has four large stands, and there is a lot to see around the stadium as well. There is a statue to former West Brom player Tony Brown, the Jeff Astle gates, a touching memorial garden adjacent to the club shop, and there are fans' points of interest throughout. The ground is also laden with Christmas decoration, which made the experience seem even more festive.

We decided to enter when the gates opened at 13:30. Obtaining tickets to this game was a little unusual. Each person must have a West Brom account in order to purchase more than one ticket (despite us buying tickets on general sale). Having to coordinate each person's customer numbers and accounts is a nightmare. Anyway, we scanned our tickets and were on our way.

The stadium's foyer is filled with artwork depicting West Brom's history, whether it be former players or quotes. There is a wide selection of food available for purchase, including pies, pizza slices, an Oreo biscuit, and chips. People can also enjoy a variety of beers and other alcoholic beverages. The workers were efficient, and I never had to wait in line for an extended period of time, which was a welcome change.

The people we met were extremely friendly. They were eager to assist us in finding our seats and to engage in conversation. The people we were sitting with were also hilarious. When the opportunity to head the ball arose, AFC Finners was overjoyed, and when we got back in the car, he went straight to Twitter in the hope of basking in his newfound fame, but sadly to no avail. He did get a little nervous at one point when a West Brom fan shouted 'shut up' loudly at him, and he assumed it was directed at him, but I doubt it.

The atmosphere was pleasant. Three different minutes of applause were delivered flawlessly, with great respect. There were numerous chants throughout the performance. However, there were many moments when there was nothing but silence. However, I believe the cold weather played a role in this.

Teamsheet

West Bromwich Albion

Manager: Carlos Corberan

Alex Palmer

Darnell Furlong

Dara O'Shea (c)

Erik Pieters

Conor Townsend

Okay Yokuslu

Jonathan Swift

Tom Rogic

Jed Wallace ⚽️

Daryl Dike

Matt Phillips

Substitutes

David Button

Martin Kelly

Taylor Gardner-Hickman

Karlan Grant

Jason Molumby

Grady Diangana ⚽️

Brandon Thomas-Asante ⚽️

Rotherham United

Manager: Matt Taylor

Viktor Johansson

Wes Harding

Cohen Bramall

Dan Barlaser

Scott High

Ben Wiles (c)

Brooke Norton-Cuffy

Chiedozie Ogbene

Jamie Lindsay

Lee Peltier

Cameron Humphreys

Substitutes

Josh Vickers

Grant Hall

Hakeem Odoffin

Oliver Rathbone

Tom Eaves

Georgie Kelly

Conor Washington

West Bromwich Albion took complete control of the game at the start. The first chance of the game came from Jed Wallace, who slipped Daryl Dike in and pulled the ball back with the angle tight. The pass, intended for Rogic, did not reach its intended destination, and the visitors escaped. Viktor Johansson, the Millers' goalkeeper, tipped a Matt Phillips shot around the post but couldn't stop Jed Wallace from breaking the deadlock, racing onto Tom Rogic's perfectly weighted through-ball and sliding the ball home. Encouraged by that start, the hosts continued to pour forward. Okay Yokuslu drilled a long-range shot that hit the outside of the post, while Viktor Johansson was called upon twice more to deny Wallace another break. At the break, the score was 1-0.

The second half began similarly, with West Brom dominating the play. Jed Wallace drilled a low cross into the penalty area, and Diangana turned the ball past Viktor Johansson to give the hosts breathing room. With their fresh legs in the final third, West Brom's desire for more goals was clear. Palmer's long punt forward in the 70th minute sent Brandon Thomas-Asante racing away. Before being nudged over, the forward got the better of Cameron Humphreys, and referee John Busby immediately pointed to the spot. Thomas-Asante took the ball himself and, despite Viktor Johansson's parry, the attacker quickly followed up and turned in the rebound. The game ended 3-0 as a resurgent West Brom demonstrated that they are back to their best, with the second half of the season looking promising.

Scores On The Doors

Atmosphere: 7/10

Food and Drink: 7/10

Stadium: 7.5/10

Welcome: 8.5/10

Overall Experience: 8.5/10

GG