Tuesday 31st May 2005

Gera on Magyars duty

Albion's Hungarian midfielder Zoltan Gera plays 45 minutes of his countries 2-1 defeat against France in Metz.

Sunday 29th May 2005

Liverpool keeper linked

According to reports Albion boss Bryan Robson is set to snap up Liverpool keeper Chris Kirkland on a season long loan deal. Twenty four year-old Kirkland is currently behind both Jerzy Dudek and Scott Carson in the Anfield pecking order and looks set to fall even further out of favour, the Merseyside club are rumoured to be looking to sign Villarreal keeper Jose Manuel Reina.

Saturday 28th May 2005

Wallwork signs new deal

Albion midfielder Ronnie Wallwork puts pen to paper on a new two-year deal which will keep him at The Hawthorns until the summer of 2007. The 27-year-old newly crowned Player of the Year rejected the initial deal he was offered by the club, which his agent claimed would have made him one of the poorest paid players in The Premiership.

Albion boss Bryan Robson said: "This is fantastic news for the club. Ronnie has responded really well to everything I've asked of him since I became manager and I'm delighted he's decided to sign his new contract. What I now want him to do is continue the form he showed last year."

Wallwork himself added: "This contract keeps me settled here for another two years and I can't wait for the new season to start. Staying up last season was unbelievable. Bryan Robson has been great for this club from the moment he arrived. He has really turned things around and shown what a great manager he is."

Wednesday 25th May 2005

Albion linked with duo

Albion are linked with moves for Millwall defender Darren Ward and Fulham midfielder Lee Clark.

Clark, who will not be offered a new contract at Craven Cottage when his current deal expires on June 30 is also said to be attracting the attention of Premiership newcomers Wigan Athletic whilst 27 year old Ward is reported to be a transfer target for Norwich, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United.

Gera happy at The Hawthorns

Albion midfielder Zoltan Gera dismisses rumours linking him with a move away from the club.

"I'm just smiling at all these rumours because they aren't verifiable," the Hungarian captain told skysports.com. "I got to know them from the news.”

"In contrast with the 'bad news', I don't have an agent. These gossips did me wrong and the club too. My former agent Vladan Filipovic really helped me a lot when I signed for WBA but that's all. Since then, there's no-one to do these kind of things for me.”

"I don't care about the speculation because no-one has looked for me. What's more, in England, you have to follow the rules. Without the permission of the club, it's forbidden to have talks with the player. Before this, the two clubs must agree and, if you break this rule, then you might be suspended. Remember the case of Ashley Cole with Chelsea. Our chairman declared there wasn't any official approach."

"I don't know what my selling price is worth but it depends on the market. Of course, £20 million is a huge and unrealistic amount.”

"My team-mates, having heard these rumours, told me to stay and I felt that Bryan Robson and the fans wanted me to stay as well. No-one advised me to change my club. I was overjoyed to hear the good words of my coach and chairman about me and it was a big motivation for me."

Tuesday 24th May 2005

Earnshaw move dismissed

Rob Earnshaw's agent Mel Eves has insisted that the striker will only leave The Hawthorns over the summer for another Premiership side after reports suggested Albion had offered him to Championship side Crystal Palace as a makeweight in a deal for their striker Andy Johnson.

"The lad's happy at West Brom, he's done very well in his first season and you can't deny he scores goals," said Eves. "He's proved he can score goals at any level. If he was to leave because the club wants to change things around then he will play in the top division. It's not as if he has failed in the Premiership. He's in the Premiership now and he's not going anywhere else."

"He's enjoying being at West Brom and is really pleased they stayed up. He feels he played a major part in that. Whether the speculation is correct I don't know, I've had nothing confirmed to me."

"He was top scorer at Albion by a country mile," he said. "He scored goals in a side that didn't create that many chances. The kid's got a great attitude and just wants to get on with it and work at his game. He's got a season in the Premiership under his belt now and he can only improve. I think we'll see a better Rob Earnshaw in the Premiership next season."

Gaardsoe misses out

Albion defender Thomas Gaardsoe has missed out on Morten Olsen's final 22-man squad for Denmark's next two international fixtures. He was named in the provisional squad for the friendly game against Finland in Tampere on Thursday, June 2 and the Group Two World Cup qualifier against Albania, in Copenhagen, six days later.

Monday 23rd May 2005

Wallwork talks ongoing insists Peace

Albion chairman Jeremy Peace insists that talks to persuade midfielder Ronnie Wallwork to sign a new contract will continue despite the player turning down the club’s original offer.

"We were forced to make known our position regarding Ronnie because we have had to exercise his option year, which commits him to the club until next summer,” Peace told the club’s official website.

Sunday 22nd May 2005

Wallwork snubs contract offer

Albion’s Player of the Year Ronnie Wallwork rejects the club’s offer of a new two year contract. The club have taken up an option to keep the midfielder at the club next season but they are hoping to sign the 27 year old on a deal to keep him at the club until 2007.

"Ronnie's been on a three-year contract with a one-year option which I've been told has been invoked by the club," his agent Neil Sillett told Sky Sports News. "The deal has been proposed on if the club should stay up and he met certain criteria, which he has done, which amounts to playing a certain number of games this season and he has met those targets. Really the final offer reaches a level which would be a lot less than some are on in The Championship. We are hoping to extend that contract and I can't see why we can't iron that out."

Friday 20th May 2005

Albion linked with Johnson

Albion are rumoured to have made a bid of £2 million plus Rob Earnshaw for Crystal Palace's England striker Andy Johnson. Palace chairman Simon Jordan is reported to have rebuffed the bid.

Wallwork offered new deal

Albion offer newly crowned Player of the Year Ronnie Wallwork a new two year contract at the club. Albion have already exercised a year's option to keep him at The Hawthorns until at least June 2006 and are now hoping the midfielder puts pen to paper on a new deal.

Albion boss Bryan Robson said: "We're just waiting for Ronnie's agent to come back to us but we're very hopeful he'll sign the contract."

Season ticket prices revealed

The club announce it's season ticket prices for the 2005/06 season which as expected see an increase in the cost of watching football at The Hawthorns.

Adult prices range from £449 in the Birmingham Road End and Smethwick End Stands to £549 in the Upper section of the East Stand. Senior and Under-18 season tickets will cost from £249 to £299 and Under-16 tickets will range from £149 to £199.

The club also reveal that next season will see individual matches priced accordingly dependent on opposition.

Albion Chairman Jeremy Peace speaking about the decision to increase prices told the club’s official website: "The fact that we became the first team bottom of the Premiership at Christmas to stay up means we can look forward to another term of top-flight football. To ensure that we give ourselves the best possible chance of continuing to compete in the Premiership, we have had, once again, to increase season ticket prices. We have tried to strike a balance between keeping prices at a reasonable level whilst giving ourselves the best possible chance of achieving our next ambition - establishing Albion as a Premiership club. We believe the pricing structure we have set for 2005/06 strikes this balance.”

"Ticketing income is the second largest element of our revenue and, thanks to last season's investment in new players, we have the basis of a good squad. If we are to continue moving forward, we need to bring in more Premiership-quality players before the close of the transfer window on 31st August and this requires further funding."

Duo called up

Zoltan Gera is called up by Hungary for their two forthcoming international matches. The Magyars face France in a friendly, in Metz on Tuesday, May 31 and then travel to Reykjavik four days later for their Group Eight World Cup qualifier against Iceland.

Meanwhile Albion keeper Joe Murphy is named in the Ireland squad to play Celtic in Jackie McNamara's testimonial on Sunday, May 29.

Thursday 19th May 2005

Albion rubbish Gera claims

Albion rubbish reports linking midfielder Zoltan Gera with a move away from The Hawthorns. The Hungarian captain had earlier in the week been linked with both Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

Albion chairman Jeremy Peace dismissed the reports by saying: "The agent quoted in the stories does not act on behalf of Zoltan. As the manager has said on numerous occasions, Zoltan is very happy here and is very popular in the dressing room. He is contracted to Albion for a further two years, plus an extra year's option in the club's favour.”

"We have had no contact from the clubs Mr Filipovic quotes - or any club - about Zoltan and we are looking to build on the squad we have - not dismantle it. Zoltan is very happy playing Premiership football and that is something we offer at Albion."

Albion linked with Czech star Koller 

Albion are reportedly interested in signing Borussia Dortmund’s Czech international striker Jan Koller but are said to be facing opposition from Premiership newcomers Sunderland for his services. A statement issued on a Borussia Dortmund website claimed: "Koller has been the subject of interest from Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion, both of which have made contact with Borussia Dortmund. A deal is possible and it is believed that Koller would prefer the move to Sunderland because he would be more likely to get regular appearances."

Wednesday 18th May 2005

Gera linked with move to rivals

Albion midfielder Zoltan Gera is linked with a move away from The Hawthorns with both Aston Villa and Spurs said to be ready to move for the Hungarian captain.

Albion defender Thomas Gaardsoe is named in Denmark’s provisional squad for their friendly against Finland in Tampere on Thursday, June 2 and the Group Two World Cup qualifier against Albania, in Copenhagen, six days later. The final 20-man squad will be announced on Tuesday.

Albion to revamp scouting set up

Albion chairman Jeremy Peace reveals that the club are to appoint a head of player recruitment for Europe as part of plans to revamp the scouting system at The Hawthorns.

Peace told the club’s official site: "We are going to improve the way we scout and research players. We are in the process of revamping the system which will include the appointment of a head of player recruitment for Europe. It won't be a senior scout or chief scout. It's a new role and the appointment will be responsible for researching targets on behalf of the club.

“It's been very scattergun in the past and we've brought in players on very little or no research which is a nonsense when you're spending large amounts of money on transfer and agent fees plus player wages. We have to get better at it and Bryan and the board believe the way forward is to appoint a head of recruitment for Europe. We will also review our UK scouting network."

Indoor stadium scheme given go-ahead

Sandwell planning committee approve the club’s plans to build an indoor sports facility opposite The Hawthorns in Halfords Lane. It will include a full-size football pitch with artificial grass, changing rooms for 65 players, a physiotherapy room, staff changing rooms and a viewing area for parents.

Senior planner Tony Rice said the plan was acceptable and recommended the committee to approve it. He said that an earlier much larger scheme had met with more than 200 objectors, but only one person had objected to the new scheme.

The facility will move Albion a step closer to realising their ambition of being granted Academy status.

Tuesday 17th May 2005

Richardson receives England call-up

Kieran Richardson is called up into the England squad to tour the USA later this month after the withdrawal of Manchester City’s Shaun Wright-Phillips through injury.

Sven Goran Eriksson told The FA's website: "I've seen Kieran play on a number of occasions this season and there is no doubt he's a tremendous young talent. He's taken his chance with West Bromwich Albion in the second half of the season and has played a significant role in keeping the club up. He's impressed me and I look forward to having him with us. I hope he can make the most of this opportunity with England just as he has done with West Brom."

Monday 16th May 2005

Wallwork scoops Player of the Year award

Midfielder Ronnie Wallwork is named the club’s Player of the Year at the club’s end of season dinner. Paul Robinson won the goal of the season award for his last gasp goal at Villa Park, Rob Elvins won the club’s Young Player of the Year award whilst Rob Earnshaw picked up the Ronnie Allen Trophy for finishing the club’s top goalscorer.

Wallwork was clearly delighted to have picked up the award despite having missed most of the first half of the season: "It's great to get this award. I didn't expect it but it's been a great season for me, especially to turn it around after being rock bottom at Christmas. I thought the likes of Zoltan Gera, who has become a legend here, and Paul Robinson would get it. For me coming in halfway through the season and picking this up is brilliant. Getting this award, and still being in the Premiership, is one of the highest points of my career."

Gaardsoe wants new deal

Danish defender Thomas Gaardsoe claims he may leave the club this summer if an improved contract offer is not forthcoming. He is unhappy with the club offering just a one year extension to his current deal.

"I am quite disappointed. I would have preferred a new contract or to move on. I really want to stay at the club, but I feel that they just want to extend my deal by one year, which indicates that they don't plan to field me in the long-term. In case they don't offer me a real extension, I might decide to try something else, because I feel I have proven my worth in the Premier League." Gaardsoe told Onside.dk.

Sunday 15th May 2005

‘The Great Escape’

On one of the greatest and most dramatic days in the club’s history Albion do indeed pull off ‘The Great Escape’. Albion defeat Portsmouth at The Hawthorns 2-0 thanks to goals from Geoff Horsfield on 58 minutes and Kieran Richardson in the 75th minute and so ensure another season of top-flight football.

Albion went into the game knowing that only a victory for them and defeats or draws for Norwich, Crystal Palace and Southampton would save them. Norwich who were safe at kick-off time were thrashed 6-0 at Fulham whilst Southampton slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United. For a spell in the second half it looked as though Palace would be the team to stay up after taking a 2-1 lead at local rivals Charlton but a Jonathan Fortune goal for Charlton eight minutes from time sent most of the 27,751 fans packed into The Hawthorns into ecstasy.

Albion's 'Great Escape' also means that Championship side Cardiff City recieve another £620,000 as part of the deal that brought Rob Earnshaw to The Hawthorns.

Albion hand deals to trio

The club reveal that they have given professional contracts to three of the club’s youth team players. Midfielders Junior Smikle and Rob Davies are both handed contracts along with striker Rob Elvins who hit ten goals for the club’s reserve team this season.

Friday 13th May 2005

Koumas for sale

Albion boss Bryan Robson reveals that the club yesterday transfer-listed Welsh international midfielder Jason Koumas.

The Baggies boss told the club’s official website: "I told Jason yesterday (Thursday) I was putting him on the transfer list. I've been disappointed with his attitude at a time when other midfield players have moved above him in the pecking order. The defensive side of his game isn't good enough as far as the type of midfield players I want at this club are concerned. As with a lot of things in football, it's all about opinions."

Everton have already been heavily linked with a move for him, Fulham too are believed to be long standing admirers of the 25 year old.

New Kit Launched

Albion unveil their new away kit for next season, a navy shirt with a diagonal red and white stripe on the front and a red and white collar. The shorts are navy with a white stripe down the sides and the socks are red.

The kit goes on sale to fans on Friday, May 27.

Wednesday 11th May 2005

Inamoto receives call up

Albion midfielder Junichi Inamoto is called up into Japan's squad for their two friendly games later this month. They host Peru in Niigata on Sunday, May 22 and then meet the United Arab Emirates in Tokyo five days later.

Monday 9th May 2005

Hulse deal agreed

Albion striker Rob Hulse leaves The Hawthorns permanently after the club finalised a £1.1 million deal with Leeds United. The 25-year-old joined the Championship side on loan in February and has since managed six goals in 13 games.

United boss Kevin Blackwell added: "Signing Rob Hulse shows that the club is coming out of the terminal decline it was in and we are serious about moving forward.”

Albion boss Bryan Robson said of the move: "I thought Rob was at the stage where he needed first-team football and I couldn't guarantee him that. He was behind the other four forwards we've got which is why I allowed him to go out on loan. He's done a terrific job at Leeds and we wish him all the best."

The Crewe born star joined Albion in July 2003 from his hometown club for a fee of £750,000 and scored 13 goals in 46 games during his time at The Hawthorns.

Albion get Roberts cash boost

Albion are set to receive a £450,000 cash windfall from Jason Roberts' transfer to Wigan Athletic after two contract clauses were triggered yesterday.

Albion will earn £200,000 after Roberts made his 60th appearance for the Latics and will receive a further £250,000 due to their promotion to the Premiership.

It means the total fee the club have received for Roberts has now risen to £2.45million, which includes a loan fee from Portsmouth.

Saturday 7th May 2005

Albion ‘Earn’ point at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’

Albion claim what could turn out to be a crucial point with an excellent 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Welsh star Ryan Giggs gave the hosts the lead after 21 minutes with a quickly taken free-kick before Rob Earnshaw equalised for Albion with a 63rd minute penalty following a foul on Geoff Horsfield by John O’Shea. Following Norwich's win at home to Birmingham City Albion drop to bottom of the Premiership table but the point means the club will go to the last game of the season with a chance of survival. The crowd of 67,827 was the highest league gate the club have ever played in front of.

Thursday 5th May 2005

Reserves finish with a draw

In their final game of the season Albion’s reserve team play out a goalless draw with Sunderland at Kidderminster’s Aggborough Stadium. The point means Albion finish in 11th place in the Barclays Premiership Reserve League North.

Forest star linked

Albion are linked with a summer move for Nottingham Forest’s young midfielder Kris Commons. The 21 year old moved to the City Ground from Stoke City for £300,000 last summer.

Monday 2nd May 2005

Gunners down brave Albion