West Bromwich Albion F.C. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
West Bromwich Albion

Full name	West Bromwich Albion Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Baggies The Throstles The Albion
Short name	WBA West Brom Albion
Founded	1878; 147 years ago (1878)
Ground	The Hawthorns
Ground Capacity	26,850
Owner	Bilkul Football WBA
Chairman	Shilen Patel
Head coach	Ryan Mason
League	Championship
2018–19	Championship, 4th of 24
Home colours Away colours

West Bromwich Albion Football Club, often called West Brom or The Albion, is a professional association football team from West Bromwich, England. They play in the EFL Championship, which is the second-highest league in English football. The club started in 1878 and has played at its home stadium, The Hawthorns, since 1900.

Albion was one of the first teams to join the Football League in 1888. This was the world's first professional football league. The club has spent most of its history in the top league of English football, playing there for 82 seasons. They were last in the Premier League in 2021.

West Bromwich Albion has won the English league title once, in 1919–20. They have also been runners-up twice. The team has reached the FA Cup final ten times and won it five times. Their first FA Cup win was in 1888, and their most recent was in 1968. This was the club's last major trophy. Albion also won the Football League Cup in 1966.

The team usually plays in navy blue and white striped shirts. Their club badge shows a throstle (a type of bird) sitting on a hawthorn branch. West Brom has long-standing rivalries with local teams Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Their matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers are known as the Black Country derby.

Club History: From Strollers to Champions

Early Days and First Trophies (1878–1950)

West Bromwich Albion playing in the 1887 FA Cup Final.

The club began in 1878 as West Bromwich Strollers. It was started by workers from a spring factory in West Bromwich. In 1880, they changed their name to West Bromwich Albion. The "Albion" part came from a local area where some players lived.

In 1883, Albion won their first trophy, the Staffordshire Cup. They joined the Football Association the same year, which meant they could play in the FA Cup. After reaching the FA Cup final twice and losing, they finally won it in 1888. They beat Preston North End 2–1.

The Albion team of 1888, who won the FA Cup and helped start the Football League.

In March 1888, Albion became one of the twelve founding members of the Football League. This was a new idea for clubs to play each other regularly. Albion won the FA Cup again in 1892. They won the Football League title in 1919–20, which is their only league title ever. In 1930–31, they achieved something special: they won both promotion to the top league and the FA Cup in the same season! This "double" has not been done since.

Years of Success and Challenges (1950–1992)

Souvenirs from the 1954 FA Cup Final.

In 1953–54, Albion almost won both the league and the FA Cup. They won the FA Cup but finished second in the league to their rivals, Wolverhampton Wanderers. This team was known for its exciting, attacking football and was even called the "Team of the Century."

In the 1960s, West Brom became known as a strong cup team. They won the Football League Cup in 1966. The next year, they reached the final again but lost. In 1968, they won their last major trophy, the FA Cup, beating Everton in extra time.

A statue of the Three Degrees in West Bromwich.

In the late 1970s, the team was famous for having three black players: Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham, and Brendon Batson. They were known as "the Three Degrees" and helped make black footballers more accepted in English football. After a period of success, the club faced a tough time and was relegated from the top league in 1986. Five years later, they even dropped to the third division for the first time.

Recent Journeys (1992–Present)

A chart showing West Bromwich Albion's league positions over time.

When the Premier League started in 1992, Albion was in the third division. They earned promotion back to the second level in 1993 by winning the play-offs at Wembley.

Under manager Gary Megson, Albion returned to the Premier League in 2002. After being relegated, they came straight back up in 2004. In 2005, under former player Bryan Robson, the team achieved a "Great Escape." They were at the bottom of the league on the final day but managed to avoid relegation, which was a first for a Premier League club!

Crowds celebrating The Great Escape on 15 May 2005.

Albion was promoted to the Premier League again in 2008 as champions of the Championship. They were relegated in 2009 but returned quickly in 2010 under Roberto Di Matteo. The club then had an eight-season run in the Premier League, finishing as high as 8th place.

In 2016, a Chinese investment group led by Guochuan Lai bought the club. After being relegated in 2018, Albion returned to the Premier League in 2020 under manager Slaven Bilić. However, they were relegated again in 2021.

In February 2024, American businessman Shilen Patel and his father bought a majority stake in the club. As of July 2025, West Bromwich Albion continues to compete in the EFL Championship.

Club Badge and Team Colours

The Club Badge: A Throstle's Tale

West Bromwich Albion club badge from around 1900–2006.

The coat of arms of West Bromwich has sometimes been on Albion team shirts.

Albion's main club badge has been around since the late 1880s. It features a throstle (a type of bird) sitting on a hawthorn branch. The throstle was chosen because the pub where the team used to change had a pet thrush in a cage. This also gave the team an early nickname: the Throstles. The hawthorn branch was added after the club moved to The Hawthorns stadium, which was named after hawthorn bushes.

In the past, a real caged throstle was sometimes placed by the field during matches. People said it would only sing if Albion was winning! Today, a large model of a throstle sits above the scoreboard at The Hawthorns. The club's badge was updated in 2006 to include the club's name.

Team Colours: Blue and White Stripes

Albion's strip from 1882 to 1883 was one of many variations worn during the 1880s.

Albion's common away colours in the late 20th and early 21st century.

West Brom has mostly played in navy blue and white striped shirts, usually with white shorts and socks. Fans sometimes call the team the Stripes. In the very early days, the team tried different colours, but the blue and white stripes first appeared in 1885–86.

Like all football clubs, Albion has a second "away" kit for games when their home colours clash with the other team's. In the past, they used white jerseys with black shorts. Since the 1960s, the away kit has changed often, with yellow and green stripes being a common choice. Sometimes, a third kit is also used.

Players started wearing numbers on their shirts in 1939–40 and names on their shirts from 1999–2000.

Kit Sponsors and Manufacturers

BSR Housewares was the club's first shirt sponsor in 1981–82. The club has had many sponsors since then. The longest sponsorship deal was with the West Bromwich Building Society, which lasted seven seasons. Today, the main sponsor is Ideal Heating.

Since June 2024, Macron has made West Brom's kits. Before that, companies like Umbro, Adidas, and Puma made them.

The Hawthorns: Albion's Home Stadium

The Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion F.C.

West Bromwich Albion moved grounds four times in its first seven years because the club grew so fast. Their first home was Cooper's Hill in 1878. They later played at Bunn's Field and the Four Acres. From 1885 to 1900, they played at Stoney Lane, where they won the FA Cup twice.

The throstle model has been at the Woodman corner since the 1970s.

In 1900, the club needed an even bigger stadium and moved to its current home, The Hawthorns. It was named after the hawthorn bushes that grew there. The first game at The Hawthorns was on September 3, 1900. The record number of fans at the stadium was 64,815 in 1937.

The Hawthorns became an all-seater stadium in the 1990s. Today, it can hold 26,688 fans. It is the highest football ground among the top 92 English clubs, sitting 551 feet (168 meters) above sea level.

The Jeff Astle gates at The Hawthorns.

The stadium's West Stand could be made bigger to hold around 30,000 people. West Bromwich Albion also owns shops and the former Hawthorns Pub near the stadium. This pub is now a fanzone with live music and activities for families.

A wide view of The Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion F.C.

Albion Supporters: The Baggies' Spirit

Fan Culture and Traditions

West Brom fans and players celebrating with the "Boing Boing" chant.

The official West Bromwich Albion Supporters Club started in 1951. There are now many branches of the club around the world. There are also special groups for fans with disabilities, for mental health support, and for different communities.

Albion's "club anthem" is The Lord's my Shepherd, a song based on a psalm. Fans started singing it in the 1970s. When the team scores a goal, supporters jump up and down and chant "Boing Boing!" This chant started in the 1992–93 season. The instrumental song The Liquidator is also played and sung at the stadium.

WBA supporters at a match in May 1980 at The Hawthorns.

In 2002–03, Albion's fans were voted the best in the Premier League by other clubs' supporters.

Many famous people are West Brom fans, including comedians Frank Skinner and Lenny Henry, TV presenters Adrian Chiles and Cat Deeley, and musician Eric Clapton.

The "Baggies" Nickname

Baggie Bird is one of West Bromwich Albion's mascots.

While the club was first known as "the Throstles", the more popular nickname became the Baggies. This name was first heard at The Hawthorns in the early 1900s. One idea is that rival fans from Aston Villa called them "Baggies" because many Albion fans wore loose-fitting trousers for work in local factories. Another idea is that it came from the "bagmen" who carried the club's money from the turnstiles in large leather bags.

The club's official mascots are Baggie Bird and Albi, both based on the throstle bird from the club crest.

Club Rivalries

The Black Country Derby

Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers play in the Black Country derby, which is one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in English football. A survey in 2008 found it to be the most intense rivalry in the country. The two teams have played each other 160 times. Both clubs were founding members of the Football League in 1888, making their derby one of the oldest in league history.

The rivalry became even stronger in the 1990s when both clubs were in the same division. In 2002, Albion managed to overtake Wolves to win promotion, which added to the rivalry. In February 2012, West Brom beat Wolves 5–1 away from home in a game known as the 'demolition derby'.

Rivalry with Aston Villa

Games between Aston Villa and West Brom are also very competitive. They first played each other in 1882. The two teams met in three FA Cup finals in the late 1800s.

For many years, Albion and Villa were not in the same league, but the rivalry has grown stronger again recently. In the 2018–19 play-offs, Villa beat Albion on penalties in a very close match.

Club Leadership

As of 1 September 2024

Board of Directors

Senior Management Team

History of Ownership

Billy Bassett, Albion's chairman from 1908–1937.

In the early days, West Bromwich Albion was run by a committee of players. The first chairman was Henry Jackson in 1885. The club became a company in 1891. Many early chairmen, like Billy Bassett, had also played for the club. Bassett was the longest-serving chairman, from 1908 until his death in 1937. He helped save the club from financial trouble more than once.

In 1996, the club allowed supporters to buy shares. In 2004, it became a private company again. Jeremy Peace became chairman in 2002. In 2016, he sold the club to a Chinese investment group led by Lai Guochuan.

In February 2024, Shilen Patel, an American businessman, and his father, Kiran C Patel, bought an 87.8% share in the club. Shilen Patel became the new chairman.

Players and Coaching Staff

Current First Team Squad

No. Position Player 2 DF Darnell Furlong 4 MF Callum Styles 5 DF Kyle Bartley (vice-captain) 7 MF Jed Wallace (captain) 8 MF Jayson Molumby 9 FW Josh Maja 12 FW Daryl Dike 14 DF Torbjørn Heggem 15 DF Caleb Taylor 17 MF Ousmane Diakité 18 FW Karlan Grant 20 GK Josh Griffiths

No. Position Player 21 MF Isaac Price 22 MF Mikey Johnston 23 GK Joe Wildsmith 24 DF Gianluca Frabotta 26 FW Tammer Bany 27 MF Alex Mowatt 31 FW Tom Fellows 44 FW Devante Cole DF George Campbell DF Nat Phillips FW Aune Heggebø

Coaching Staff

As of 1 June 2025

First Team Coaches Position Name Head Coach Ryan Mason Assistant Head Coach Nigel Gibbs Goalkeeping Coach Boaz Myhill First Team Coach James Morrison First Team Coach / Statistical Analyst Damia Abella First Team Coach / Head of Performance Sam Pooley Head Physiotherapist Richard Rawlins Physiotherapist Adam Bending Chief Analyst David Stewart Opposition Analyst Jack Murray Sports Scientist Kirsty Frick Kit Manager Jacko Smith Kit Man Daniel Hill

Academy Coaches Position Name Head of Academy Coaching Mick Halsall Loans Manager Chris Brunt U-23s Coach Deon Burton U-18s Manager Leigh Downing U-18s Coach Chay Thompson Head of Academy Recruitment Tom Brady

Famous Players and Club Records

Notable Former Players

The Jeff Astle gates at The Hawthorns.

A statue of Tony Brown outside The Hawthorns.

In 2004, for the club's 125th anniversary, fans voted for the greatest West Brom players of all time. A special group of 16 players was chosen. Most of them were English, but one, Cyrille Regis, was born in French Guiana and played for England. These players are shown on a mural at The Hawthorns.

Some of the most famous players include:

Name	Nat.	Years	Apps	Goals	Position
Bassett, BillyBilly Bassett		1886–99	311	77	Outside right
Pennington, JesseJesse Pennington		1903–22	496	0	Left back
Richardson, W. G.W. G. Richardson		1929–45	354	228	Centre forward
Barlow, RayRay Barlow		1944–60	482	48	Left-half
Allen, RonnieRonnie Allen		1950–61	458	234	Centre forward
Howe, DonDon Howe		1952–64	379	19	Right back
Kevan, DerekDerek Kevan		1953–63	262	157	Centre forward
Brown, TonyTony Brown		1963–81	720	279	Wing half/Inside forward
Astle, JeffJeff Astle		1964–74	361	174	Centre forward
Osborne, JohnJohn Osborne		1967–72 1973–78	312	0	Goalkeeper
Wile, JohnJohn Wile		1970–83	619	29	Centre-half
Johnston, WillieWillie Johnston		1972–79	261	28	Outside left
Robson, BryanBryan Robson		1974–81	249	46	Central midfielder
Statham, DerekDerek Statham		1976–87	373	11	Left back
Cunningham, LaurieLaurie Cunningham		1977–79	114	30	Winger
Regis, CyrilleCyrille Regis		1977–84	302	112	Centre forward

Tony Brown holds many club records. He has played the most games for Albion (720) and scored the most goals (279). Jesse Pennington has played for England the most times while being an Albion player, with 25 appearances.

Player of the Year Awards

Year Winner 1979 Bryan Robson 1980 N/A 1981 Tony Godden 1982 Cyrille Regis 1983 N/A 1984 Paul Barron 1985 Garry Thompson 1986 Stephen Hunt 1987 Stuart Naylor 1988 Carlton Palmer 1989 Chris Whyte 1990 Bernard McNally 1991 Graham Roberts

Year Winner 1992 Daryl Burgess 1993 Bob Taylor 1994 Daryl Burgess 1995 Paul Mardon 1996 Andy Hunt 1997 Ian Hamilton 1998 Alan Miller 1999 Lee Hughes 2000 Lárus Sigurðsson 2001 Neil Clement 2002 Russell Hoult 2003 Jason Koumas 2004 Thomas Gaardsøe

Year Winner 2005 Ronnie Wallwork 2006 Jonathan Greening 2007 Diomansy Kamara 2008 Kevin Phillips 2009 Chris Brunt 2010 Graham Dorrans 2011 Youssouf Mulumbu 2012 Ben Foster 2013 Gareth McAuley 2014 Ben Foster 2015 James Morrison 2016 Darren Fletcher 2017 Ben Foster

Year Winner 2018 Ben Foster 2019 Dwight Gayle 2020 Matheus Pereira 2021 Sam Johnstone 2022 Matthew Clarke 2023 Jayson Molumby 2024 Cédric Kipré 2025 Torbjørn Heggem

Club Records

Jesse Pennington, Albion's most capped England international while playing for the club.

West Bromwich Albion's biggest win was 12–0 against Darwen in 1892. This is still the largest winning margin in English top-flight football. Their biggest FA Cup win was 10–1 against Chatham in 1889.

Tony Brown holds the record for most appearances (720 games) and most goals (279 goals) for the club. The highest amount of money Albion has paid for a player was £15 million for Oliver Burke in 2017. The most money they have received for a player was £16.5 million for Salomón Rondón in 2019.

Club Achievements

The Albion team of 1920 with the League Championship trophy.

WBA players celebrating their FA Cup win in 1931.

League Titles

• First Division (Top League)
  • Champions: 1919–20
  • Runners-up: 1924–25, 1953–54
• Second Division / First Division / Championship (Second League)
  • Champions: 1901–02, 1910–11, 2007–08
  • Runners-up: 1930–31, 1948–49, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2009–10, 2019–20
• Second Division (Third League)
  • Play-off winners: 1993

Cup Wins

• FA Cup
  • Winners: 1887–88, 1891–92, 1930–31, 1953–54, 1967–68
  • Runners-up: 1885–86, 1886–87, 1894–95, 1911–12, 1934–35
• Football League Cup
  • Winners: 1965–66
  • Runners-up: 1966–67, 1969–70
• FA Charity Shield
  • Winners: 1920, 1954 (shared)
  • Runners-up: 1931, 1968
• Tennent Caledonian Cup
  • Winners: 1977

See also

In Spanish: West Bromwich Albion Football Club para niños