Find out what's happening when at opening training session
IT’S all systems go at The Hawthorns as the club prepare to open their doors for tomorrow’s ‘Watch The Team Train’ event.Fans will be able to witness head coach Steve Clarke putting his players through their paces for FREE as he switches preparations for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle to the stadium.
The East Stand turnstiles will open at 9.30am and the pre-training entertainment will begin shortly after. The open training session is due to start at approximately 10.30am.
With turnstiles opening an hour before the training session gets underway, supporters are urged to arrive as early as possible to ensure everyone gets in on time.
And there will be an added treat for the first 50 arrivals! They will each be handed a silver envelope as they go through the turnstiles offering them a chance to enhance their Watch The Team Train experience.
To gain entry tomorrow, season ticket holders and members will just need to bring their Stilecard and membership card respectively as the event will automatically be added to them.
Non-season ticket holders/members can also gain FREE entry by completing the club’s online registration process (click here). Supporters will receive an e-ticket via email, which they will need to print and bring with them in order to gain access to the stadium.
All supporters will be able to gain entry to the event via the East Stand turnstiles.
Fans who register for Watch The Team Train will also be able to purchase tickets for Albion’s next Barclays Premier League home clash against Southampton on Monday, November 5 (ko 8pm) at a reduced rate of £12 adults, £7 seniors/under-21s/students and £2 juniors (subject to availability). Supporters simply need to show their e-ticket at the ticket office. This offer is also available to season ticket holders and members on production of their Stilecard and membership card respectively. However, this offer is ONLY available tomorrow.
Parking will be available on a first come, first served basis on the Birmingham Road car park (next to Topps Tiles), the Pipeline site (directly opposite the Jeff Astle Gates, Birmingham Road) and the site of the former Albion Foundation headquarters, Halfords Lane (next to Sandwell Academy School).
The pre-training entertainment will include a performance by the appropriately-named ‘Strike’ – who shot to fame by reaching the final of popular ITV talent show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ in 2008. The martial arts dance duo will perform on the pitch.
The line-up also includes a performance by The Albion Foundation’s dance troupe Fusion and interactive competitions.
Junior supporters could win the chance to take a penalty against one of the club’s keepers through the higher and lower contest.
And there will be an extra special prize for the supporter who brings along the best banner/flag. Up for grabs is the ‘We Know What We Are’ vest that Shane Long displayed to the crowd after scoring against Manchester City on Saturday.
BaggieBird and sidekick Albi will also be in attendance while the East Stand’s catering facilities will be open from 9.30am (excluding the sale of alcoholic beverages).
Chief executive Mark Jenkins said: "The previous open training sessions we have held at The Hawthorns have proved extremely popular and it promises to be a great family occasion.
"We have targeted half-term week to enable as many of our younger supporters to attend as possible."
* With a high volume of supporters expected to attend, please note that the club will not be able to make provision for players' autographs at the open training session due to health and safety reasons.