Tuesday 31st August 2004

Albion in double swoop

Albion make a double swoop on transfer deadline day signing former Arsenal and Fulham star Junichi Inamoto and Atletico Madrid's Romanian international right-back Cosmin Contra.

Inamoto a 24-year-old Japanese international midfielder, currently injured joins on a two-and-a-half year contract after the Baggies agreed to pay his club Gamba Osaka £200,000 when he makes his first competitive appearance.

Albion manager Gary Megson told the club's official website "We're delighted to have signed Junichi. He obviously isn't fit at the moment but the reason we've done the deal now is we wouldn't have been able to sign him when he is due to complete his recovery as the window would be closed."

Contra has been signed on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid and under the deal, Albion will pay the Spanish side a set fee each time he plays. The 28-year-old joined Atletico from AC Milan for £5million two years ago.

Of the Contra deal boss Megson said "Cosmin has played for some big clubs and had some big money moves. He's not had the best year in terms of injuries but we needed players with Premiership experience and he will be a valuable addition to our defence. It also enables us to move Riccardo Scimeca into another position if we want to."

Superbob moves to The Lamb

Former Albion star Bob Taylor signs for Nationwide Conference side Tamworth. Taylor now 37 spent last season at Cheltenham Town.  

Monday 30th August 2004

Record goes again

Albion break their transfer record for the second time this summer by signing Cardiff City's Welsh international striker Robert Earnshaw. The 23 year old put pen to paper on a three year deal with a further year in the club's favour. Albion have paid the 'Bluebirds' an initial fee of £3 million which could rise to £3.625 million depending on how the club perform in the Premiership.

A relieved Gary Megson said "It was looking touch and go over the last 48 hours because other agents were trying to get involved and move Robert to other clubs but he's now a West Brom player. This move will give him the opportunity in the Premiership that he's wanted and he now needs to prove himself to a new public. Hopefully he will give us something we've maybe not had for a while which is a real sharpness up front. "

Earnshaw said of the move "This is the chance I have been waiting for. It has always been my ambition to play in the Premiership and I am absolutely thrilled the deal has been completed and that West Brom are going to give me that chance. I am taking nothing for granted and I know I have got to work hard." he told the club's official website.

Inamoto linked

Albion are linked with a move for Japan midfielder Junichi Inamoto. The 24-year-old, who recently ended two years on loan at Fulham, broke his left ankle in June during Japan's 1-1 friendly draw against England. The ex Arsenal man currently plays for Gamba Osaka in the Japanese J-League.

Cardiff set for swoop

Cardiff City are said to be lining up a treble swoop for Albion trio Rob Hulse, Sean Gregan and Neil Clement. "We have agreed a fee with West Brom for Rob Hulse but he has yet to put pen to paper," said Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence. "West Brom have many interesting players who are good players at this level."

Sunday 29th August 2004

Gaardsoe withdraws

Thomas Gaardsoe withdraws from the Danish squad for next week's World Cup qualifying game against Ukraine. The defender suffered ligament damage to his left ankle during Saturday's defeat on Merseyside.

Everton poised to hijack Earnie deal ?

Reports suggest Everton could be ready to hijack Rob Earnshaw's move from Cardiff. The 'Toffees' are said to be ready to make a move for Earnshaw to replace Wayne Rooney who looks to be on his way to Manchester United or Newcastle United.

Saturday 28th August 2004

Albion lose at Goodison

In a poor game Albion slip to their first defeat of the season losing 2-1 at Everton. Leon Osman grabs both goals for the Toffees (2nd and 69th minutes) whilst Scott Dobie scores for Albion in the 7th minute. The game, watched by of a crowd of 34,510 sees Danish defender Thomas Gaardsoe stretchered off after 23 minutes to be replaced by debutant Martin Albrechtsen.

Earnshaw bid accepted

Albion have a club record bid believed to be around £3.5 million accepted by Cardiff for their Welsh International striker Rob Earnshaw however the move reportedly hits a snag over personal terms.

Friday 27th August 2004

Wiltord rejects Hawthorns move

Former Arsenal striker Sylvain Wiltord turns down the chance to move to The Hawthorns. The French international has reportedly expressed a desire to play Champions League Football.

Hulse back in training

Striker Rob Hulse returns to training following a stomach strain however he will not be fit for Saturday's game at Goodison Park against Everton.

Thursday 26th August 2004

Double bid blow

Albion are reported to have had an offer of £2 million plus Sean Gregan for Cardiff's Welsh international striker Robert Earnshaw turned down. An improved £5 million bid for Anderlecht striker Aruna Dindane is also reportedly turned down by the Belgian club. 

Wednesday 25th August 2004

Albion draw again

Albion record a third successive draw as they are held 1-1 by Spurs at The Hawthorns. Zoltan Gera scored his first goal for the club to give Albion the lead after only 3 minutes before the Londoners hit back through Jermaine Defoe following a Russell Hoult mistake on 34 minutes in front of a crowd of 27,191.

Albion off to Layer Road

In the second round of the Carling Cup Albion are drawn away to League One side Colchester United. The tie is scheduled for the week commencing Monday 20th September.

Tuesday 24th August 2004 

Quartet called up

Thomas Gaardsoe, Tomasz Kuszczak, Artim Sakiri and Bernt Haas are called up for their respective countries World Cup qualifiers on the 4th and 8th September.

Sunday 22nd August 2004

Derby ends all square

Albion come from a goal down to earn a point in a pulsating local derby with Aston Villa in front of the Sky television cameras. Olof Mellberg opened the scoring for the visitors with a 4th minute header before Neil Clement equalised on 38 minutes with a header from a Jonathan Greening free-kick. A crowd of 26,601 were in attendance.

Friday 20th August 2004

Lawrence denies Earnshaw link

Cardiff boss Lennie Lawrence has played down reports linking striker Robert Earnshaw with a move to Albion. "I have seen and heard all about the West Brom interest, but all I can say is we have not received any official communication," said Lawrence. "That doesn't mean to say there's not going to be any, but only that there hasn't been any. There's only 10 days to go until the transfer window closes and the ball's in their court."

Thursday 19th August 2004

Trio called up for Qualifiers

Zoltan Gera, Andy Johnson and Jason Koumas are called up by their respective countries for the World Cup qualifying games on the 4th and 8th of September.

Wednesday 18th August 2004

Dabo linked

French international midfielder Ousmane Dabo is the latest player to be linked with the club. The 27-year-old Lazio star whose former clubs include Inter Milan, Parma, Monaco and Atalanta, is described as a tough tackling playmaker.

Moore takes over captain role

Darren Moore takes over as club captain from Sean Gregan although Albion will continue to name their match-day skippers on a game-by-game basis.

Albion stars on international duty

Jason Koumas and Andy Johnson (Wales), Bernt Haas (Switzerland), Thomas Gaardsoe (Denmark), Artim Sakiri (Macedonia) and Zoltan Gera (Hungary) all represent their countries in the nights international matches. Gaardsoe and Sakiri both get themselves on the scoresheet.

Tuesday 17th August 2004

Reserves earn point

Albion reserves draw 0-0 at Haig Avenue, Southport against Everton. The team includes Kuszczak, O'Connor, Moore, Albrechtsen, Dobie and Ronnie Wallwork who limps off after 55 minutes with a dead leg.

Carrick rejects move

West Ham and England midfielder Michael Carrick has told Albion that he is not interested in a move to The Hawthorns. Albion were given permission to talk to the player last week but boss Gary Megson revealed "I've spoke to his agent and was told he didn’t fancy signing for us."

Monday 16th August 2004

Captain goes to vote

Albion reveal they have introduced a new way of electing their team captain - with players voting to decide who wears the armband for each match. On Saturday Neil Clement lead the side in the 1-1 draw against Blackburn.

"The captain's armband is going to be decided by the 11 players that are starting the game," midfielder Andy Johnson told the club's website. "We chose Clem on Saturday, next week it might be different, we'll judge each game and each week as it comes."

Johnson took over the captain's role when goalscorer Clement was taken off with 14 minutes remaining against Rovers.

"The gaffer wants 11 captains out there," said Johnson. "As a team we're very strong, no-one is going to mind who is captain each week, we are quite a close as a unit. Clem was captain and he passed the armband to me on his way off. You ask any player who wants to be captain of their team - it's a great honour."

Saturday 14th August 2004

Albion open with point at Ewood

Albion kick off their new Premiership campaign at Ewood Park with a hard earned 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers. Neil Clement gave Albion a 34th minute lead with a deflected free-kick before Craig Short equalised for Rovers in the 70th minute. The game sees Kanu, Greening, Purse, Scimeca and Gera all make their Albion league debuts in front of a crowd of 23,475.

Toffeemen linked with Gregan

Everton are the latest club to be linked with Sean Gregan. Toffee's manager David Moyes managed Gregan at Preston.

Friday 13th August 2004

Dyer extends stay

Winger Lloyd Dyer signs a new two year contract with a years option in the club's favour.

Manager Gary Megson told the club's official website, "I'm really pleased Lloyd has signed his new contract, it's fully deserved. These are the kind of fairytale stories that make the game it is. Lloyd came to Albion looking for a trial a few years ago and now he has signed a new improved contract at a Premiership club. It couldn't happen to a nicer lad either. He's not the finished article but the effort he has shown in the last three years suggests he could create a big future for himself."

Albion reject Leeds’ Gregan bid

Albion reject an undisclosed offer from Leeds United for transfer listed Sean Gregan.

"We have made it clear we will only let Sean leave if we receive an acceptable offer for him, but Leeds' bid isn't remotely in the ball park" Chairman Jeremy Peace told the club website.

Thursday 12th August 2004

Albion get Carrick permission

Albion have been given permission to hold talks with West Ham midfielder Michael Carrick with the clubs understood to be close to agreeing a fee for the former England Under-21 player.

Boss Gary Megson said "One of the things that makes me laugh is people are saying we have now joined the race for Michael Carrick. We've been after Michael since the beginning of June when we realised West Ham weren't going to get promoted. We tried to get him then and it has been an ongoing process for quite a while. There is a bit of negotiating to be done not from our point of view in terms of finance but to see if Michael actually wants to join any club. We've spoken with West Ham. That's as far as we've gone. The financial side is the chairman's domain but I think we are close to agreeing a fee and effectively been given permission to speak to the player."

Megson added: "Michael is a good player and we've admired his passing, his vision and his quality. If we can get him then it will be terrific. If not, then we will move on and try and get other players. We need quality players at the club and we need more and more of them."

Dindane interest remains

Gary Megson also confirms that the club are still interested in signing Anderlecht striker Aruna Dindane.

"We are trying to get an agreement with Anderlecht for Dindane's services but we are not there yet. The transfer window closes on August 31 and we will keep trying. Whether or not Anderlecht remain in the Champions League, is bound to have a big bearing on things."

Wednesday 11th August 2004

Duo called up

Thomas Gaardsoe is called into the Denmark squad for next Wednesday's friendly with Poland in Poznan. Zoltan Gera is also confirmed as part of the Hungary squad for their game against Scotland on the same night.

Clarets enter Gregan race

Championship side Burnley reportedly join the chase for the transfer listed Sean Gregan.

Tuesday 10th August 2004

Gera cleared

The club finally receive international clearance for new signing Zoltan Gera from the Hungarian Football Federation. The 25 year old is now eligible for Saturday's game at Blackburn Rovers.

Megson confirms Carrick interest

Gary Megson confirms the club has enquired about signing West Ham's England international Michael Carrick. Albion join Arsenal, Everton, Portsmouth and Crystal Palace in chasing the midfielder's signature.

"We've spent a bit of money but it's been possible because of the husbandry at the club over the last couple of years," said Megson. "One of the players we've been in for is Michael Carrick, and you can imagine how much money that would have cost if we had pulled it off."

Gregan listed

Albion accept a transfer request from Sean Gregan. Cardiff, Leeds and Nottingham Forest are all said to be interested in the 30 year old.

Chairman Jeremy Peace told the club's website: "Sean has stated he wants to leave us because he doesn’t feel he will get adequate first-team opportunities next season and wants regular football elsewhere. Therefore, the board has reluctantly accepted his written transfer request. Sean has figured in 81 of our last 86 competitive games and his contribution as captain to our promotion success last season, particularly during the final weeks, was vital. Having paid £1.75million to sign Sean only two years ago, we will only let him go if we receive an acceptable offer.”

Monday 9th August 2004

Hughes guilty

On a dark day for the club Lee Hughes is found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and is sentenced to 6 years imprisonment.

The club terminate his contract and issue the following statement: "West Bromwich Albion has decided to terminate Lee Hughes' contract, which had two years left to run, following the outcome of the player's trial. The club would like to take this opportunity to express it's deepest sympathies to the Graham family on the loss of Mr Douglas Graham. It's thoughts are with Mrs Maureen Graham, Mr Albert Frisby and Mr Frank Gosling, who were injured in the incident."

Reserve derby ends goalless

An experienced reserve team draw 0-0 with a young Wolves side at The Hawthorns in the opening league game of the season. Making his Albion debut in the game is trialist, former Millwall player Cherno Samba. 

Chambers off to Vicarage Road

James Chambers moves to Championship side Watford on a months loan. He makes his debut in The Hornets home game against Queens Park Rangers.

Sunday 8th August 2004

Dindane linked again

Albion are again linked with a move for Anderlecht striker Aruna Dindane. Reports say that Albion could be ready to make an improved offer of  £4.5 million for the Ivory Coast international. The player is said to be keen to link up with recent Albion signing Kanu. 

Saturday 7th August 2004

Anniversary game ends goalless

Albion play out a goaless draw with Portuguese club Boavista in the club's final pre-season friendly. The game which marked the club's 125th anniversary sees the Albion debut of Nigerian star Kanu. Darren Purse, Martin Albrechtsen, Riccardo Scimeca and Jonathan Greening all make their Hawthorns debuts.

Squad numbers announced

The squad numbers are announced for the forthcoming season.

They are as follows: 1 Russell Hoult, 2 Riccardo Scimeca, 3 Paul Robinson, 4 Thomas Gaardsoe, 5 Darren Moore, 6 Darren Purse, 7 Jason Koumas, 8 Jonathan Greening, 9 Geoff Horsfield, 10 Andy Johnson, 11 Zoltan Gera, 12 Scott Dobie, 14 Martin Albrechtsen, 15 Sean Gregan, 16 Lee Hughes, 17 Rob Hulse, 18 Lloyd Dyer, 19 Neil Clement, 20 Artim Sakiri, 21 Larus Sigurdsson, 22 Bernt Haas, 23 James O'Connor, 24 Ronnie Wallwork, 25 Nwankwo Kanu, 26 Sekou Berthe, 27 James Chambers, 28 Joe Murphy, 29 Tomasz Kuszczak, 30 Simon Miotto, 31 Philip Midworth, 32 Adam Chambers.

Thursday 5th August 2004

United show Gregan interest

Leeds United have joined Cardiff City in expressing an interest in signing midfielder Sean Gregan. Albion are said to be willing to sell the ex Preston star for a fee of around £500,000.

Wednesday 4th August 2004

Mural unveiled

Albion unveil the 125th anniversary mural featuring the club's 16 greatest players as voted for by Baggies supporters.

The list of players reads: Ronnie Allen, Jeff Astle, Ray Barlow, Billy Bassett, Tony Brown, Laurie Cunningham, Russell Hoult, Don Howe, Willie Johnston, John Osbourne, Jesse Pennington, Cyrille Regis, W.G. Richardson, Bryan Robson, Derek Statham and John Wile.

The mural will also feature the names of more than 10,000 Albion fans.

Reserves go down at Edgar Street

A strong reserve team featuring amongst others Koumas, Albrechtsen, Moore, Clement and Haas lose 2-0 to Conference side Hereford United in a friendly at Edgar Street.

Reserve team boss Gary Shelton said after the match, "It was a very disappointing night, the opportunity was there for the players to stake a claim and put themselves in the frame for The Premiership but they let themselves down very badly. It was a bad day at the office and there wasn't a single plus point".

Dindane bid turned down

Albion reportedly have a club record £4 million pound bid for highly rated Anderlecht striker Aruna Dindane turned down. The 23 year old Ivory Coast international is said to be keen on a move to England. Albion's Premiership rivals Portsmouth are also believed to have made a bid for the player.

Tuesday 3rd August 2004

Albion win at Ashton Gate

Albion win their penultimate friendly game 3-1 against Bristol City at Ashton Gate. Scott Dobie makes it 5 goals in 4 games with goals in the 29th and 55th minutes. Riccardo Scimeca scored the other Albion goal in the 41st minute. Bristol City's Leroy Lita opened the scoring in the 4th minute. Gary Megson gives another run out to Polish trialist Marcin Zajac.

Monday 2nd August 2004

Konchesky and Dindane linked

Charlton's Paul Konchesky and Anderlecht's Aruna Dindane are the latest names to be linked with a move to The Hawthorns. The 23 year old Ivory Coast forward Dindane won the Belgian equivalent of the Players' Player of the Year Award last season and has already been the subject of a bid from Portsmouth. Konchesky fell out of favour at The Valley and the 23 year old defender spent three months on loan at Spurs last season. 

Hughes in court

Lee Hughes has pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road accident, in which a 57-year-old man was killed last November. He also pleaded guilty to a second offence of failing to report an accident after a motor collision near Coventry last autumn. He is set to stand trial for a further charge of causing death by dangerous driving at Coventry Crown Court. Hughes has denied the charge.

Sunday 1st August 2004

Reserves win

Ronnie Wallwork scores the only goal of the game to give a strong Albion reserve team a 1-0 victory at Nuneaton Borough. The team includes Murphy, Haas, Gregan, Moore, O'Connor, Dyer and Sakiri. The goal came after 25 minutes following good work by Lloyd Dyer.

Lawrence admits Gregan interest

Cardiff City boss Lennie Lawrence admits that they are interested in signing Sean Gregan.