Coats and hats were used for goal posts (a bit like jumpers for goal posts today). Eventually two pieces of wood with a string tied across the top served as a cross bar the rules of the still in its infancy. A local cricket club shared the ground so the Strollers also used a pitch in Dartmouth Park, carrying the posts between grounds and erecting them as best they could using bricks. On occasions the pitch was being used so the posts would have to be carried back to Coopers Hill.
Although the Strollers had played two games previously November 23rd 1878 versus Hudson's a 0 - 0 draw was recorded this was the first organized game played by The Strollers and a 1 - 0 victory over Black Lake Victoria 23rd December 1879 Albion's first recorded game at Coopers Hill was on 20th December 1879 with a 4 - 0 victory over Bullock's Club, Albion contested 13 games while at Coopers Hill with no defeats recorded against them although four games have no score recorded.
Bob Roberts was WBA's star player in these early years. Standing 6ft 4in in height and weighing 13 stone and size 13 feet Roberts could deal comfortably with any player who dared try to push him aside.He was trialled in every position as an outfield player but then found his niche in between the posts. He was the first Albion player to be caps by England winning his first against Scotland in 1886. Also played in three successive cup finals 1886, 1887, 1888, Finally collecting a winners medal in 1888. He had two spell at the Albion the second for just one season. it is thought that he made around 400 appearances including 84 in league and cup.
A local newspaper commented: "There is no player who has done more to make the Albion the club what it is than Bob Roberts. It is not only his cleverness between the uprights, but the coolness and direction of others."
During the 1880 – 1881 season, 8 games were recorded at Dartmouth Park 5 wins 1 draw and 2 games with no score recorded. Billy Bisker scored three goals in a game against Hockley Belmont in a 5 - 0 victory January 29th 1881 which gave him the record of being the first Albion player to score an Hat Trick.
During the 1881 - 1882 season, Albion's first enclosed ground was at Bunn's Field in Walsall Street now Alfred Street which is near to the Police Station in West Bromwich.The move here was made in August 1881 when a nine month lease was taken out and the players again equipped the field themselves leveling and rolling it and then erecting goal posts something by now they must have been experts in. The posts again linked by tape for a crossbar. The entrance to the field was opposite Christ Church School where so many of the Albion players were educated.As for the ground it self it was so muddy at times that the supporters used to bring there own planks to stand on in wet weather. ( can you imagine the stewards today "sorry mate you can't take that in there health and safety"). The ground was so bad there was no covered stands and one of the original founders of the club Jimmy Stanton told the founder of the football league William McGregor that the only thing resembling a grandstand was a manure heap.The name of Bunn's Field was changed to The Birches and due to the field being enclosed Albion could charge admission to there matches for the first time.The first match at The Birches is believed to have been against Oldbury in a 5- 1 victory.
The 2010–11 season was West Bromwich Albion's fifth season in the Premier League. Albion return to the Premier League after being promoted from the Championship. West Brom confirmed their promotion back to the Premier League on 10 April 2010 after a 3–2 win over Doncaster Rovers, and retained their new top-flight status, finishing 11th.West Bromwich Albion Premier League Tickets are available at FootballTicketExchangeOnline.com at affordable price. Football fans can buy or sell Football Tickets especially West Bromwich Albion Premiership Football Tickets at FootballTicketExchangeOnline.com conveniently.
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