West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion, or West Brom, are a Premier League club, until May 2009, when they are due to be relegated.
In seasons ending with an even number (most recently, 2007-8) they are always promoted to the Premiership; the following year they are always relegated from it. This pattern has been observed every year since 1921-2, sometimes in controversial circumstances.
In 1993-4, West Brom (also known as ‘the Baggies’) looked certain to miss out on promotion, until they were mysteriously awarded thirty points in April, supposedly for ‘keeping their ground neat and tidy’.
Solutions To Problem Of Eternal Promotion/Relegation Cycle
Various measures have been proposed to free West Brom from their predicament of endless ricocheting between the two divisions, including:
- West Brom to join Italian Serie B;
- West Brom to merge with Birmingham, Aston Villa and Wolves, creating superteam called ‘Midlands United’ who pose a serious threat to the top ten of the Premier League;
- West Brom to disband.
Celebrity Fans
West Brom have a number of celebrity fans, including Frank Skinner, TV’s Adrian Chiles, and Bryan Robson when he was manager.