Logo

The Hawthorns  - West Bromwich Albion
Sunday 6th May 2007
V Barnsley, Championship League, 3pm
By
Jacob Januszewski

1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):

Great club, last day of the season and friends who support the two Sheffield clubs recommended it. It looked like a fairly modern ground and I hadn't been since the 80's watching another club there.

2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking:

Easy ground to find. Heading M5 southbound leave at Junction 1 and turn left, you can't miss it! Parking is everywhere, on industrial estates, on grass, central reservations, take your pick.

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?

Went to McDonalds, conveniently opposite the ground and had a chat with some home fans. They were great, but it was a big day for them with a play-off place on the line. They recommended a place up the Birmingham Road called the Royal Oak where we made a quick stop. According to a couple of lads, the beer wasn't great. I was stuck on the juice.

Inside the stadium there was a decent atmosphere. The home fans were fairly welcoming, which was surprising, as we didn't get that on previous visits to the Midlands, with Wolves, Stoke and Birmingham. I had expected the same from West Brom, yet I was pleasantly surprised. Atmosphere was a bit flat at times.

4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground:

Ground was great. Jeff Astle gates were a fitting tribute as I remember him from years ago. The stand to our left and the in front were a decent size and fairly modern, and so was ours. The one on the left desperately needs work to bring it in line with the others. Not much leg room and no-standing policy strictly adhered to.

5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..

Don't mention the game. We were outplayed, outclassed. 7-0 full time. We were shocking but we were already safe which made the blow a bit lighter. Pies were nice, the famous chicken balti pie. Stewards were very strict and very schoolyard-bully type.

6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Jumped in the car sat in traffic, but it wasn't that bad, mainly because a lot of home fans stayed behind at the final whistle. Plain sailing once on the M5.

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

I'd like to see a better game where we put up a real fight but the stadium is a massive improvement from the 80's, the fans were OK, stewarding was poor, food was good and I would consider returning, hopefully putting in a better display!

 

 

Are you an away or general football fan who has visited The Hawthorns recently?
If so why not submit your own review of the ground and general day out?

Click here to find out more.

Return To The West Brom Page

Return To The Main Menu