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Albion
set for Vale friendly
(1/05/02) |
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| The Baggies have confirmed that they
will take on Second Division outfit Port Vale as part of their pre-season
warm-up, on Sunday, August 4. The Valiants will pit their wits against Gary
Megson's First Division runners-up at Vale Park. Vale boss Brian Horton said:
"Playing West Brom here will be a good game for us and a real tester. We are
also looking to arrange another friendly against quality opposition."
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Chairman quits after Baggies row -view his letter
here
(30/04/02)
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| West Brom manager Gary Megson has not
quit the club just days after leading them into the Premiership, but chairman
Paul Thompson has stepped down after a disagreement with the boss over future
plans for the Baggies. Megson had allegedly left the Hawthorns just minutes
after the start of a board meeting, leading to talk of a shock Baggies exit for
the 42-year-old, despite ending the 16-year wait for a return to the top
flight. However, in a strange twist Thompson has announced his intention to
leave with immediate effect. Thompson told the club's official website: "When I
became chairman, I said I would only stay in the job while I believed we could
keep making progress. "There are two key issues to which no-one can find a
solution at the present time and, in the absence of a solution, I cannot take
the club any further. "It is obvious from Gary Megson's comments in the press
and from comments he has made to me personally that he wishes to see me step
down as chairman and he has now got his wish. "Hopefully Gary will now get on
with the job of working with the board to identify potential transfer targets
and he has been invited to attend a board meeting on Tuesday to discuss
potential transfer targets." Megson had reportedly clashed with the Albion
board over the offer of a new contract to young keeper Chris Adamson.
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Megson
wants hungry players
(27/04/02) |
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| Gary Megson has outlined his aim to sign
players with a "desire to succeed" over the summer as he prepares Albion for
life in the Premiership. The Baggies are heavy favourites to drop straight back
into Division One, but Megson has a warchest of around £15million to
spend on new players and build a squad capable of surviving in the top flight.
The flame-haired supremo has been in talks with Manchester United's Ronnie
Wallwork this week, with the versatile 24-year-old available on a free transfer
in the summer, and has drawn up a list of transfer targets. Although he has
refused to reveal his targets, Coventry duo David Thompson and Lee Hughes have
been linked with moves to The Hawthorns, while Luton's Matthew Taylor and Crewe
hot-shot Dean Ashton are also believed to be interesting the Albion chief.
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Dobie
call-up delights boss
(27/04/02) |
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| Albion chief Gary Megson has expressed
his "delight" for Scott Dobie after the young striker's call-up to the Scotland
squad. Dobie, a £150,000 buy from Carlisle last summer, scored 12 goals
this season to help Albion clinch promotion to the Premiership. And his impact
in Division One alerted the attention of new Scotland boss Berti Vogts, who has
called the 23-year-old up to the national training squad in Sterling. Dobie
qualifies to play for Scotland via his grandmother and will join the rest of
the squad next week. And Megson said: "Scott's still got a lot to learn but
he's done well for his first season in the First Division and we're all
delighted for him." Scotland are planning a three-game tour of the Far East
next month when they will face South Korea, South Africa and a Hong Kong League
side. |
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Skipper
hails Hoult
(26/04/02) |
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| Derek McInnes is convinced Russell Hoult
will be better than ever in the Premiership after what he called a "marvellous"
season for the keeper. The former Portsmouth shot-stopper kept a record 27
cleansheets for Albion in the impressive promotion-winning season and the
Baggies skipper believes Hoult's goalkeeping skills will help West Brom make
their mark in the top flight next season. He said: "Russell will hold his own
with the best goalkeepers in football. "He has had a marvellous season and I
know he will again do well in 2002/2003." |
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Megson of
the Manor
(24/04/02) |
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| Gary Megson has been offered the
medieval title of Lord of the Manor of West Bromwich to mark his success in
winning promotion for The Baggies. The title, which dates back centuries, was
bought by multi-millionaire businessman Paul Bassi from the Earl of Dartmouth
for an undisclosed fee. Bassi has now decided to offer it to the Albion boss as
a reward for getting The Baggies back into top-flight football. The awards
committee feel Megson has proved to be a worthy recipient of the title because
he has made a major contribution to the reputation of the town. |
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Three out
as Baggies prepare for Prem
(24/04/02) |
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| Gary Megson has started to shape his
Premiership bound West Brom squad for next season by allowing three players to
leave The Hawthorns. Third choice goalkeeper Andy Petterson has been released
after his short-term deal with the Baggies came to an end. Megson has also
allowed veteran winger Ruel Fox and Northern Ireland international striker
James Quinn to leave. "Andy (Petterson) came on a short-term contract with the
agreement that he would move on at the end," Megson told the club's official
website. Meanwhile, on loan trio Warren Cummings, Stanislav Varga and Trevor
Benjamin have all left the West Midlands club after the completion of the
league campaign. "I want to thank all of them for their contribution to our
promotion success," continued the Baggies boss. "Stan played three games for
us, of which we won two and drew one. "Although Trevor didn't start a game, he
scored an important goal against Barnsley and changed the game at Bradford
after coming off the bench. "Warren's had a good season for a young lad coming
on a year's loan. He did very well at Portsmouth and Watford. He was also
involved in about 25 other games and can be pleased with his efforts."
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Taylor:
West Brom promotion 'pinnacle of career'
(22/04/02) |
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| Bob Taylor described sealing West Brom's
promotion to the Premiership as "the pinnacle of my career". Taylor continued:
"I've got my beloved team to the promised land - this is a once-in-a-lifetime
thing. "I sampled the Premiership on loan at Bolton for a few months. "This is
a Premiership club and we're just humble to do it for the fans. The support
they've given us is absolutely awesome. "I've complained this season I wasn't
getting enough tap-ins but the last three or four I've got have been tap-ins.
It was easy for me today," admitted the 35-year-old. As for next season, he
added: "I can guarantee we'll give 120 per cent." |
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Megson
'relief' as West Brom go up
(22/04/02) |
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| Gary Megson admitted he was hugely
relieved to have led West Brom to the Premiership. The Baggies beat Crystal
Palace 2-0 to seal the second automatic promotion spot in Division One, with
goals from Darren Moore and Bob Taylor. And Megson said he was pleased for the
supporters, as well as breathing a sigh of relief after an arduous season. He
said: "At least we're where the fans want to be. To me it's a relief more than
anything else but we'll share it with the fans - the people who deserve it.
"Before the game we said 'let's make sure we keep it tight and get one in the
first 20 minutes'. "We found Wolves had gone one up but scored and it steadied
us down. "It wasn't important that the players knew (the score at Hillsborough)
- what happened elsewhere didn't matter. "The one result we wanted we got -
which was the win." He continued: "We've got a lot of work to do now. We'll
enjoy this but at the moment we need to take stock. "No party plans were made
because we didn't know what division we were going to be in. "But I told them
at half-time 'you've gone out there as First Division players, come back as
Premiership players' and they did that." |
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Megson
pays tribute to fans
(22/04/02) |
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| An elated Gary Megson paid tribute to
the backing of the West Brom fans after his side claimed automatic promotion to
the Premiership. The home supporters gave vociferous support to the Baggies
players throughout their 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at The Hawthorns, and
a mass pitch invasion followed the final whistle. Megson said: "The fans'
elation is understandable because they are now where they want to be. They are
like that all the time - we just wanted them even louder today and they were.
They've been like that for ages." The Albion boss also admitted his delight
that his side decided their own fate, rather than having to rely on a
favourable result from promotion rivals Wolves' clash at Sheffield Wednesday,
which ended in a 2-2 draw. "The goal didn't come as early as we would have
liked or as early as Wolves' goal," he added. "We wanted to keep it tight and
get a goal but then we hear Wolves have scored after one minute. "I was
thankful to score when we did because it settled us down. "It wasn't important
for the players to know what was going on at Hillsborough because it was just
important we concentrated on our game. There was only one result we wanted and
we got it. "There is now a lot of work to do, we'll just enjoy this and see
where we are as a football club next season. "There have been no plans made for
a party tonight because we were unsure what division we would be playing in
next season. We said to the players at half-time 'Go out as First Division
players but make sure you come back Premiership players' and they have. "It's a
great relief and I'm sure that, when we share this with the fans, the ones who
really deserve it, it will sink in." |
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Thompson
earmarks top 17 finish
(22/04/02) |
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| West Brom chairman Paul Thompson has
earmarked a place in the top 17 of the Premiership for the Baggies next term
and believes it can be achieved on a prudent budget. "Our objective is to stay
up and finish in the top 17," he told the Birmingham Post. "Gary Megson, Frank
Burrows and all of the players have done a fantastic job this season. "I
believe we can survive if we do the right things and run the club on the
policies that have got us here in the last 28 months. "I often speak to the
chairmen of other clubs who have been in this position and we all agree this is
the way to run a club. "It will be a very difficult situation, there will be 18
or 19 clubs who have more money than us. "Good businesses are not run by money
but by making the right decisions. "I expect we will bring new players in,
including the kind who may cost more than those players we already have. "But
we do have a lot of confidence in the current squad and it's only right and
proper the present crop of players should have a chance to show what they can
do in the Premiership." |
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Promotion
joy for delirious Baggies
(22/04/02) |
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| They will be talking about this
afternoon at the Hawthorns for years to come. Weeks of unrelenting tension and
local pride gave way to a glorious outpouring of joy as West Bromwich Albion's
unswerving supporters cracked the champagne after 16 years in the footballing
wilderness. And what better way to win promotion than at the expense of Wolves,
the club's reviled near-neighbours. It doesn't get much better than this. There
was no other way to describe it if you sported navy blue and white. Even
Albion's players managed to double up their goalscoring with birthday
celebrations. Centre half Darren Moore is 28 today (Monday) and striker Bob
Taylor's daughter Chantelle was 11 yesterday. It all appeared so neatly
script-written. Messages have even been posted on internet sites claiming that
the Almighty had been converted by the late Jeff Astle that promotion was a
formality. The Albion support certainly had the faith. Since leaving the elite
under a cloud during the dark days of Ron Saunders' time in charge, the club
have been down to Division Two. But now they are back in the top flight and
although some may argue that Wolves have thrown away their 11-point lead, the
fact that Gary Megson's side had won six of their seven previous matches must
not be overlooked. They have conceded just six goals in 19 matches and all
manner of records have been broken for keeping clean sheets. They have notched
17 victories by single goals - and that was all that was needed going into this
game. |
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Baggies secure Premiership spot - WBA 2 -0 Palace>> Match
Report
(21/04/02) |
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| The Baggies booked their place in the
Premiership as Darren Moore and Bob Taylor struck to secure a 2-0 win over
Crystal Palace at The Hawthorns. Moore scrambled The Baggies in front in the
17th minute, before Taylor pounced to add a second in the 53rd minute and
secure automatic promotion ahead of Wolves, who drew 2-2 with Sheffield
Wednesday at Hillsborough. |
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Megsons
battle cry to the fans
(20/04/02) |
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| Gary Megson has urged Albion's fans to
roar The Baggies into the Premiership by shouting themselves "hoarse" against
Crystal Palace tomorrow. Megson's men go into the game against Palace knowing
victory over The Eagles would ensure Premiership football at The Hawthorns next
season. Arch-rivals Wolves trail The Baggies by just one point and travel to
Hillsborough for an away clash with Sheffield Wednesday - but the result will
be meaningless if Albion can bank all three points from their game. Megson
admits he will be keeping one eye on the Hillsborough game, but wants his
players to remain focused on their job in hand. |
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Fox calls
time on Baggies career
(20/04/02) |
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| Ruel Fox has announced he will quit West
Brom when his contract runs out at the end of the season, and is considering
retirement. The winger has decided to leave The Hawthorns at the end of June
after making just two starts in the league this season. The former Norwich City
man has received some offers to play for other clubs but is keen to spend more
time with his family, having had little time to see them since he moved to the
Black Country from Spurs in August 2000. The 34-year-old's two-year deal runs
out in the summer and he will wait until then to decide whether to quit the
game for good and concentrate on his business commitments, after insisting he
does not want to move into management. Fox, who also had a spell with Newcastle
under Kevin Keegan, is hoping to play his last game for The Baggies on Sunday,
and end his career at The Hawthorns by helping the club into the First Division
runners-up spot, and the Premiership. |
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Coventry
swoop planned again?
(20/04/02) |
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| West Brom are set to swoop for
influential Coventry midfielder David Thompson if they secure a place in the
Premiership. The Baggies, who are also reported to be planning a bid to re-sign
Lee Hughes from The Sky Blues, have earmarked Thompson as the man to make
Albion an attacking force in the top flight. The midfielder pledged his future
to Coventry last week, but Roland Nilsson - who was sacked as manager at
Highfield Road on Tuesday - said City would struggle to hang on to him. The Sky
Blues are reported to be willing to cash in on Thompson for around
£5million, with chairman Mike McGinnity saying the club will not sell off
its prized assets 'on the cheap'. |
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Bradford 0 - 1 WBA >>Match report
(13/04/02) |
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| Igor Balis converted a last-minute
penalty to put West Brom within touching distance of the Premiership. With the
final automatic promotion place seemingly swinging back into the hands of
bitter rivals Wolves, Balis slotted the ball past Alan Combe after Andy Myers
had brought down Bob Taylor. |
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WBA 1 -1 Rotherham >>Match report
(07/04/02) |
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Bob Taylor's goal ensured a 1-1 draw
with Rotherham and second spot for Albion, who were denied a win when Jordao's
late effort was not given.
Millers keeper Mike Pollitt was put under a
great deal of early pressure from the home side, but when Igor Balis had the
chance to shoot after a good move down the right, he could only find the
side-netting. |
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WEST BROM EDGE INTO SECOND
(07/04/02) |
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| West Brom moved into second in the table
but had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Rotherham after the referee failed to
award a Jordao strike which crossed the goalline. Bob Taylor suffered a broken
hand early in the game but played on and scored the Baggies' goal, only for
Rotherham to launch a stirring second-half fightback and level matters through
Darren Byfield. But the most controversial moment of the game came late in the
second half at 1-1 when midfielder Jordao hooked the ball over the line when a
deep corner to the back post was flicked on. Television replays showed the ball
had clearly crossed the line but ref Mike Pike waved away impassioned pleas
from Albion's players. However, the Millers had their moments and Albion will
know that their hopes of promotion remain in their own hands with two games to
go after they leapfrogged local rivals Wolves into second place in Division One
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Megson fury after officials miss 'winner'
(07/04/02) |
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| Furious West Bromwich Albion boss Gary
Megson was left counting the cost of an officiating howler as the race to the
Premiership took another dramatic twist. With the score at 1-1, Jordao's
acrobatic 81st-minute touch from Darren Moore's header crossed the line by at
least two feet but was inexplicably missed by referee Mike Pike and his
assistant, David Hine. Although the draw was enough to take Albion a point
clear of Wolves in the battle for automatic promotion as runners-up to
Manchester City, the loss of two points has given a glint of hope to their
Midlands rivals. And with millions of pounds of television revenue at stake,
the slip-up could have a serious knock-on effect on the club's future. The
controversy centred on Neil Clement's corner. Portuguese midfielder Jordao
cleverly turned Moore's nod-down over the line before it was hacked clear by
Chris Sedgwick. Megson said: 'It wasn't a controversial decision - it was
wrong. There's no getting away from it. 'The linesman made a massive error.
There's no-one on the pitch who hasn't made a mistake at some stage this
afternoon, but I do expect the linesman to see things like that. 'I didn't
speak to the referee afterwards, I didn't dare. It was closer to the back of
the net than the goalline. |
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Coventry City 0 - 1 WBA >>Match report
(01/04/02)
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| West Brom kept Manchester City waiting
on promotion as they won 1-0 at Coventry to increase the pressure on faltering
Wolves. Veteran Bob Taylor was on target for the Baggies after 15 minutes, with
Gary Megson's side drawing level with their Black Country rivals, despite
having Trevor Benjamin sent off late on. Earlier in the day a goal either side
of half time by Shaun Wright-Phillips had given the Citizens a 2-0 victory at
Wolves' Molineux, to put City on the brink of promotion and leave Dave Jones'
side looking anxiously over their shoulders in the second automatic promotion
slot. |
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Megson
pays tribute to Taylor
(01/04/02) |
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| Gary Megson hailed Bob Taylor after his
goal fired West Brom level on points with Wolves in the race for automatic
promotion from Division One. But Megson could only wonder what might have been
this season if Lee Hughes had still been part of his team. Hughes moved to
Coventry for £5million at the start of the campaign - and Megson admitted
his firepower could have made the difference in West Brom's chase for one of
the top two spots. Megson said: "I had a word with Lee at the end and told him
to keep his head up. "He is a great lad and everyone connected with our
football club has a lot of time for him. "I think if we still had him in the
side we would have scored more goals this season and we would have certainly
scored more penalties. "But we thought this occasion might suit the sort of
know-how that Bob possesses. "He is our best centre forward in terms of knowing
his job, but unfortunately for us he is 35 years old. "He has the experience
and is very good at holding the ball up, and he is the best centre forward for
being the right man in the right place at the right time." Taylor stabbed his
side into the lead after 15 minutes when Coventry failed to clear a corner
kick. |
