NEWS, NOTES & MILESTONES

BIRTHS

1975 - Mark Angel

Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Mark Angel started his professional career in his native north-east with Sunderland in 1993 but after failing to make a single appearance for the Black Cats he left for Oxford United in August 1995. His time at the Manor Ground was more successful, the young winger making 90 appearances in a three year spell with the club. He joined Albion prior to the 1998/99 season, linking up with his former Oxford boss Denis Smith, but failed to make any impression at The Hawthorns, starting just five games in two seasons. After leaving the Baggies short spells at Darlington and Boston United followed before the player drifted into non-league football.

1950 - Hugh Reed

Scotsman Hughie Reed came through the apprentice ranks at The Hawthorns after being spotted playing for junior side Drumchapel Amateurs with his team-mate and friend Asa Hartford. Reed turned professional in August 1967 and made his first team debut for the Baggies at the age of 18 against Stoke City in November 1968. Despite being a regular for the reserves, Reed failed to do enough to become a first team regular, going on to make just 10 appearances before leaving for Plymouth Argyle in November 1971. After three years at Home Park, which encompassed a spell on loan at Brentford, Reed left to join Crewe Alexandra where he would spend two seasons. Short spells at Huddersfield Town and Hartlepool United followed before the diminutive winger dropped down into the non-league scene with first Stafford Rangers and then Shotton United, before returning to Stafford to finish his career, hanging up his boots in 1982. After retiring from football Reed settled in Cheshire and lived in the Crewe area until his death on November 12, 1992 aged just 42.

1942 - Bill Williams

Surrey-born Bill Williams started his professional career with Portsmouth in 1960, moving onto Queens Park Rangers and then Albion in 1963 for a £10,500 fee. He made his only first team appearance for the Baggies in a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at The Hawthorns in January 1965 before leaving to join Mansfield Town 12 months later. He spent just over 18 months at Field Mill before joining Gillingham where he would enjoy the most successful spell of his career, making 180 appearances for the club. After leaving the Gills he had a short spell at Maidstone United before heading to South Africa to become player manager of Durban United and then Durban City. After leaving South Africa, Williams went to manage in America, spending a year each at Sacramento Gold, whom he led to the American Soccer League title in 1979, and the Atlanta Chiefs. He returned to England and one of his former clubs Maidstone United in November 1981 to take over as manager, a role he held for three years. After a spell away from the game he returned as Maidstone manager in 1986 before becoming general manager of the club from 1987-1991. After the sacking of Graham Carr in 1991, Williams became Maidstone first team manager for the 3rd time but was in the role for just a few months before being replaced by Clive Walker. In 1997 Williams took over as manager at Dover Athletic, leading the club to their highest ever league finish in 1999/2000 when the club finished 6th in the Football Conference. After leaving Dover in 2001 Williams spent a short time managing Kingstonian and then Welling United. Williams was named as Maidstone’s chief executive in October 2010 following a take-over, a role he holds to this day.

1941 - Jack Lovatt

John 'Jack' Lovatt joined Albion as an amateur in January 1956, turning professional in late 1958. He scored on his first team debut for the club in a 2-1 win at West Ham United in March 1961 and went on to finish the season with three goals in ten games. Despite being a regular goalscorer for the reserves, the presence of the likes of Ronnie Allen, Derek Kevan, David Burnside and Alec Jackson hindered the Burton-born striker's first team progress and he left the club for Nuneaton Borough in November 1963 after making just 18 appearances for the Baggies. After almost three years at Nuneaton, short spells at Worcester City and Banbury Spencer followed before he retired from football in May 1968.

1883 - Jesse Pennington

One of Albion's greatest ever players, West Bromwich-born Jesse 'Peerless' Pennington joined Albion in March 1903 after playing local football, most recently for Dudley Town. He made his Albion debut in September 1903 against Liverpool at Anfield and became a key figure for the Baggies over the following 19 years. He led Albion to the Second Division title in 1911 and then the First Division title in 1920. He won 25 caps for England between 1907 and 1920, captaining his country twice. At the time of his final cap he was, at 36 years and 231 days, England's oldest capped outfield player - a record since exceeded by Stanley Matthews, Leslie Compton and Stuart Pearce. For many years his 455 league appearances for Albion was a club record, until it was finally beaten by Tony Brown in 1976. On hanging up his boots in 1922, Pennington spent a short spell as a coach at The Hawthorns, leaving the following year to take up a similar role with Kidderminster Harriers, a club he would manage for a short spell a few years later. He returned to the Baggies in 1950 as a scout, a role he held until 1961 before he finally retired from football aged 77. In 1969, Pennington, who actually had a short spell as an amateur at Aston Villa before joining Albion, was made a life member of the club. Pennington, who lived in Hartlebury near Stourport, died on September 5, 1970, at the age of 87. In 2004 he was named as one of Albion's 16 greatest players in a poll organised as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations.

DEATHS

None Known.

DEBUTS

2014 - Jason Davidson (as substitute) & Brown Ideye (as substitute) v Southampton, St Mary's Stadium, Premer League.

2008 - Gianni Zuiverloon v Everton, The Hawthorns, Premier League.

1986 - Stewart Evans v Hull City, Boothferry Park, Second Division.

1958 - Derek Hogg v Luton Town, Kenilworth Road, First Division.

FAREWELLS

1972 - Graham Smith v Newcastle United, St James' Park, First Division.

1967 - Ken Foggo v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Molineux, First Division.

TRANSFERS

None Known.

RESULTS