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I will always remember the League Cup Final, second leg, at The Hawthorns in 1966, when we beat West Ham 4-1, that was special!
Even more remarkable that we hammered the World Cup Winners with a patched up defence. Danny Campbell at 5 and Graham Williams at 6. Perhaps the best 45 mins I've ever seen from the Albion. What a front 5 Brown, Astle, Kaye, Hope and Clark. Albion legends all.
Almost all of these memorable matches are night games. Nothing better in football for me than a cracking game in front of a full house Hawthorns under the lights. Oh for something now even remotely close.
Gone for two games which I genuinely can't separate. Both are obscure in the context of this thread yet remain very special to me.
The first was against Bradford City on March 7th 1998 and we drew 1-1. Not the greatest of games but it was the only Albion match I ever attended with my dad. Beers before and after the game and a really good day out.
The second game was against Wigan on September 10th 2005. We lost 1-2 and Jimmy Bullard got their winner in the last minute. It was my son's first game and the poor unfortunate little lad absolutely loved it.
His introduction to a life of Albion supporting misery interspersed with the occasional genuine high. I couldn't see why he shouldn't suffer as well and it also ensured he wouldn't become a Viler.
COYB 😎 .
Regarding the kids the match that has a special place in my heart is v Palace to get us into the Premier League.
My 3 grew up in the 90's in Sus*** with mates supporting the big London clubs, Man U or Liverpool. My eldest's 1st match Albion were a 3rd Division club and for the next 10 years we were a rubbish Div 2 outfit going nowhere.
After the match my daughter said 'Dad I never ever thought I would ever see us in the Premier League.' All but brought a tear to my eye. I just contrasted with my own Albion upbringing when not only was top flight our natural position but we were also cup winners.
Getting all 3 of them to grow up to be Baggies to different degrees from so far away when we had the worst side in our history is something that gives me great satisfaction. Somewhat of an achievement.
I realise that I've already posted on this subject but when others have mentioned their children it reminded me of the day I brought home my wife and newly born, youngest son from hospital. We were playing away v. Exeter in the third tier. On the way home I heard that we were 0-2 down on the radio. Expecting the worst, I got home and was surprised to learn that we had won 3-2. This must have been an omen and he's been a Baggies fan all his life! I failed with my eldest son though, as he supports Liverpool.
Who remembers the game against Bruges in 1968? My dad went to the first leg away, we lost 1-3, and Astle was kicked unconscious and Asa Hartford was attacked.
Death threats were sent to the Bruges team before the second leg. Astle appealed for calm before the game. The atmosphere at the game was the most hostile I have seen to an away team. It was like one of those Turkish grounds. The Bruges players must have feared for their lives. People screaming abuse at them.
Astle left their keeper prostrate and needing attention in the opening minutes.
We needed to win the game 2-0 to go through and we did. Fantastic night.