Boss says every club needs players like Tony Brown
STEVE Clarke has added his name to the long list of people paying tribute to club legend Tony ‘Bomber’ Brown on the 50th anniversary of his Albion debut.
On September 28, 1963, the attacking midfielder scored on his Baggies bow in a 2-1 top-flight win at Ipswich.
It was the start of a glorious Hawthorns career, which still sees ‘Bomber’ stand as the club’s record goalscorer and appearance-maker, having netted an incredible 279 in 720 games.
He also won the 1966 League Cup and 1968 FA Cup with the Baggies, and represented the club in European competition.
'Mr Albion' left after 20 years at the club for Torquay United but returned to The Hawthorns as a coach under Johnny Giles from 1984 to 1986.
The 67-year-old will be at Old Trafford this afternoon commentating on his beloved Baggies as they go in search of their first win on Manchester United soil since December 1978 – when 'Bomber' was twice on the scoresheet in a famous 5-3 victory.
Clarke said: “Tony is a person everyone holds in the highest esteem and every football club needs players like that.
“Without those players, that history, that connection with the supporters and that connection with the past, you don't have football clubs - that's what football clubs are all about.
“That connection between Tony - who was a fantastic player, a great servant for the club, and scored some unbelievable goals and an unbelievable number of goals - and the club is what football is all about in any country.
“It's the connection between us, as players, and the supporters, so 50 years on they are still talking about him.
“I hope in 50 years time people are still talking about me!”