Whilst up at the driving range yesterday one of the club employees happened to notice my Albion beanie, my Albion rain jacket and my Albion head covers and stopped me mid swing to enquire whether I was a West Brom supporter? I resisted the urge to reply sarcastically and as so many do he went on to tell me that he had been good friends with a famous Albion player. When asked who this might be he said ‘Davy Walsh’ and although my player memory over the past 65 years isn’t bad I could not place this name at all. ‘Also played for the Villa’ I was told ‘and Ireland. People used to pay just to watch him play’
None of this helped so on returning home I checked it out and indeed one Davy Walsh signed for the Albion as a 23 year old centre forward in 1946, scored 100 goals for us and was then sold to the Villa in 1950 for the significant sum of £25000. He played many times for the two Irish teams of that era but it was all before my time. I seem to recall that Sarky has some seniority in these matters and might remember him? He was probably replaced by the great Ronnie Allen and missed out on being a member of the fantastic 53/54 team?
Anyway I started to think about who at the Albion I have ever paid to watch play and aside from the successful teams which have excited us all from time to time over the years I can only think of three who had me buying a ticket with just them in mind. Bryan Robson of course, the ultimate midfielder; Willie Johnstone the wizard of the wing and Jason Koumas possibly the most creative player of many we have been fortunate to find. Plenty of other Albion greats mixed in with the most successful sides but these would be my individuals.
Anyone with other ideas?