Now, here’s a side that isn’t short of history to tell the grandkids about – but West Bromwich Albion have little to do with us. Such is their annoying habit of sticking in and around the top two divisions of English football (in, mainly), we’ve had no cause to meet them on the football pitch in competitive circles. Not even a cup draw has sent them our way. For now (and that’s 2022 as we write), our only meetings have come in friendlier circumstances; the Baggies giving us a look up at the Lamex during pre-season programmes.
West Bromwich Albion: The Facts
The Hawthorns
West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 4LF
Here’s a little history lesson now for you. And we do mean little; West Bromwich Albion being one of those clubs we could be here all day with. The Baggies took flight a massive one-hundred-and-many years ago; adopting the quite superb name West Bromwich Strollers at first. A historic club by any measure, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888. Only 11 others have that prestigious honour. By 1888, however, “Albion” had already come into parlance. So, the name was picked up in 1880.
And it’s fair to say the Hawthorns-based outfit have been no stranger to success over the years.
The 1953-4 season, for example, is one that stands out. By this time, the Baggies had already been champions of England (1920) and three-time FA Cup winners, not to mention coming runners-up in the FA Cup five more times. In 1954, the Baggies came very close to becoming the first side in the 20th century to win the Double; registering a fifth FA Cup title, while finishing an agonising four points behind champions (and rivals) Wolves. Another FA Cup came in 1967, as well as the UEFA Cup last eight in 1979; edged out by Red Star Belgrade.
Then, things went a little downhill. A decade after making the semi-finals of both domestic cups in 1982, the club were in Division Three. It was, admittedly, a one-year stay; their only year outside the top two divisions of English football ever. We think. After the formation of the Premier League in 1992, the Baggies hovered around mid-table in the second tier for nine years. Then, in 2002, the long-awaited breakthrough. A second-place finish, three points above Wolves, saw them back in the top tier for the first time since 1986.
Why do we know the Baggies?
Now, this milestone moment neatly brings us into the equation. Since BoroGuide launched, we have provided profiles for clubs we play in friendlies – even if we don’t record friendlies in the list of results and what not. The reason is that you can never rule out who you might meet in a cup, so the work is already done. And that’s what we did in our first summer as a thing. West Bromwich Albion came to the esteemed home of the 2001-2 FA Trophy runners-up (that’s us by the way) in preparation for their first crack at the Premier League.
The Baggies put out a team full of household names for our pre-season showdown. Oh yes, back on a ground where he found the going very pleasant during his Hayes days was Jason Roberts for a start. There was also Andy Johnson and Daniele Dichio; Ronnie Wallwork on the bench too. Not that it was much of a pointer for how the first half of our campaign under Wayne Turner would go, but our guests eased to a four-goal win. We held them at 0-0 for 38 minutes; the score given a more impressive sheen with two further late strikes.
West Bromwich Albion: Record vs Boro'
Pl
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts*
WR%
Overall
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0%
Home
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0%
Away
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0%
League
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0%
Cup
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
n/a
0%
* league points only
West Bromwich Albion: Result-by-Result (Boro' Scoring First)
How to get to West Bromwich Albion – Travel Information – Distance: 103 miles
By Road
Head north on the M1, before exiting onto the M6 to continue your journey towards the West Midlands. Stay on the old M6 as you come into Birmingham; Junction 8 being the one that you’ll want to be taking. This is the junction for the southbound M5.
At Junction 1 of the M5, leave and take the first exit at the roundabout for the A41. Half a mile down the road and past a BP garage among other local attractions is the ground. It’s as simple as that!
We’ve never needed to look too hard into this before – so bear with us. It seems that, across the road from the away end, is Sandwell Academy School. We’re told that you can park here on a matchday for a fiver. But you must book ahead and pay online using the YourParkingSpace website. There are also a few other car parks nearby if you’re stuck.
By Rail
Station: THE HAWTHORNS
Services to: BIRMINGHAM MOOR STREET (for BIRMINGHAM NEW STREET)
It won’t be a shock that the station isn’t too far from the ground of the same name. Come out of the station and turn left for Halfords Lane. Turn right onto Halfords Lane and head straight up.
If taking the train, it’s worth knowing that your connection at Birmingham Moor Street and Birmingham New Street involves a walk between the two. It is not a direct interchange.
