WEST BROM'S GREATEST GAMES

Simon Wright
ISBN: 978-184818-206-6
RRP: £14.99
Released: 25th November 2009
Know the Score Books

From the opening line by Willie Johnston, “Aye, West Bromwich Albion…I had the best footballing days of my life there”, any West Bromwich Albion fan is going to be appeased. Written by a well known West Brom blogger, this is a book written by an Albion fan to Albion fans.

This is the definitive guide to what Simon Wright considers to be West Bromwich Albion’s 50 greatest games. Clearly set into separate chapters for each match, this book can be delved into rather than read from cover to cover. Each chapter contains meaty morsels from the clubs varied history, from the early days of 1883 against long term rivals Stoke, right up until the current 2009 season against Middlesbrough.

Each chapter follows the same format, with every game being introduced with a team list for that day and even the referee for that match. Following these introductions, Wright succinctly delivers the background information in regards to the match, and manages to take us back to the time that the match was played. My main worry before reading this book would be losing the context of the situations, but these gaps are quite cleverly plugged by Wright’s obvious superb knowledge and turn of phrase.

Quite obviously, not all fans are going to agree with Wright’s list of greatest matches, and he acknowledges this himself in the introduction. However, this is more than a good attempt of listing of the clubs greatest moments. Highlights from the book include the win against Birmingham City at Wembley in the FA Cup final to the 6-3 win over Manchester United in 1963.

Perhaps this book isn’t for the average football fan without a real affinity for West Brom. Wright is scathing at times with his summary of other teams, for example, Middlesbrough; “A soulless, dull club in a soulless, dull, recession-racked town, half-heartedly backed by a theatre audience”. This perhaps takes on the voice of a real football fan; a football fan who loves his team whole heartedly and has an opinion on every other. However, for any keen football historians, there is plenty surrounding the context of the matches at the time to keep them interested for more than a passing glance. In particular, Wright's frequent references from quotes given to the press, and coming from the press at the time are a keen point of interest, and helps to give a rounded insight to what the people of the time thought of the matches.

Rival fans should also give the book a chance. If anything, this book is a conversation or even debate starter. Were West Brom really that good in the win against Birmingham at Wembley? How do wins against Wolves compare to Wolves wins over Albion?

For any West Brom fan however, this is a coffee table pleasure. A book to quote from when rival fans are around to visit; a book which contains many memories for many, and a discovery of history for others.

Nicole Carroll - November 2009