June 09, 2009
Don't do it Tony!
Having recently made the move to Scotland, I can say that it has many attractions. I am looking forward to setting up home here with Lynne, and becoming part of the community here.
Nevertheless, I seriously hope that Tony Mowbray decides not to return to Glasgow, where he used to play for Celtic.
Celtic have finally made an approach for the Baggies manager, seeking to bring him back north of the border. Albion however do not want to let him go, and are reportedly asking for the £2m that is in the compensation clause of Mowbray's contract to take him away. If Celtic can promise that - which some think unlikely - then they can talk with him directly.
I hope that it doesn't happen. I like Mowbray's philosophy of play, and I like his integrity. I hope that, if Celtic do decide to talk to him, he says "Thanks but no thanks." All should be revealed this week.
October 18, 2008
Man Utd 3, West Brom 5
Th best match ever...?
September 21, 2008
Bonkers
While at mum's I picked up a book she was reading: "We don't know what we're doing" by TV sports presenter Adrian Chiles. He, like me, my mum and dad, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, hamster, and goldfish is a Baggies follower.
We suffer much pain and ridicule for our commitment to the Baggies. But personally, I think it is profoundly Christian - standing with the weak, suffering, and lowly. In fact, one of the anthems of the Albion's supporters is "The Lord's my Shepherd" - though I wouldn't read too much into that. I don't imagine that in 20 years they'll be singing "Shine Jesus Shine".
Next to Chiles and some of the people he meets, I am however, relatively normal. Chiles himself is completely bonkers, his whole life centred around the despair of knowing that, however good we are, we are going to lose (2-1 today to Villa). And some of the people he meets take creative fanship to hilarious extremes.
New Tricks
If any of you have seen the TV show New Tricks, Roy Mitchell, the writer is a Baggies fan, and apparently always names his characters with reference to the Baggies. The three central characters, played by James Bolam, Alun Armstrong, and Dennis Waterman, are named after the Halfords Lane Stand at the Albion ground (Jack Halford, Brian Lane, and Gerry Standing).
In one episode, the entire cast was named after the 1968 FACup winning side - Osborne, Fraser, Williams, Brown, Talbut , Kaye, Lovett, Collard, Hope, and Clark. "I couldn't get Astle in," he says apologetically, "because it would have been too obvious."
Brilliant. My Dad would have loved it.
July 03, 2008
Nice one, Cyrille
I have just discovered that Cyrille Regis, the West Brom hero from the 1970's and 80's, was awarded an MBE last month.
Cyrille was always one of my footballing heroes. Here you can see Cyrille in action scoring against Norwich in 1982.
Together with Laurie Cunningham and Brendan Batson, he was part of the "Three Degrees" - three quality black footballers in the Albion team who, against considerable prejudice paved the way for black footballers in the English league. To see the Three Degrees in action in possibly the best football match ever... click here
Cyrille became a Christian in 1996, following the death of his close friend Cunningham in a car crash in 1989. He has been awarded the MBE for his services to the voluntary sector and football.
Nice one, Cyrille.
May 05, 2008
I was there!
The Baggies won 2-0 against QPR to win the Championship and seal their place in the Premiership next year.
I was there - but unfortunately in the QPR end... which meant I could only jump up and down with excitement inside. On the outside I was all Fulani calm and serenity.
Well done, Albion!
May 16, 2005
Over the moon
Well done, the Baggies !
