I first went to the Albion on Boxing Day 1989 as an excited 9-year old, for a dreadful 0-0 with Pompey. I absolutely loved it, and I was instantly hooked.
Until 2001, aged 19, my all-time Albion highlight was watching Dean Wilkins score a last minute free-kick against Ipswich to secure 6th spot in the 2nd tier. My first taste of success was winning the 4th tier under Micky Adams.
My sons are aged 9 & 7. Since their first games they have witnessed live:
4-0 complete humiliation of Man Utd
FA Cup semi final at Wembley
1-0 last minute winner against Liverpool in the FA cup
Qualifying for Europe at home to Southampton
Our first ever European game
A last minute winner against Marseille to win our Europa League group
And on TV:
3-0 battering of Liverpool
4-1 thumping of Chelsea after they stole our manager and club legend
2-0 wins at home and away to Ajax
My eldest has 10 more years before he is at the age I witnessed my first real success, which was in the 4th tier.
My God, we are going to have one seriously entitled generation of fans in the next decade or so.
Until 2001, aged 19, my all-time Albion highlight was watching Dean Wilkins score a last minute free-kick against Ipswich to secure 6th spot in the 2nd tier. My first taste of success was winning the 4th tier under Micky Adams.
My sons are aged 9 & 7. Since their first games they have witnessed live:
4-0 complete humiliation of Man Utd
FA Cup semi final at Wembley
1-0 last minute winner against Liverpool in the FA cup
Qualifying for Europe at home to Southampton
Our first ever European game
A last minute winner against Marseille to win our Europa League group
And on TV:
3-0 battering of Liverpool
4-1 thumping of Chelsea after they stole our manager and club legend
2-0 wins at home and away to Ajax
My eldest has 10 more years before he is at the age I witnessed my first real success, which was in the 4th tier.
My God, we are going to have one seriously entitled generation of fans in the next decade or so.