Club News

ALBION XI: Blind Dave selects his all-time favourite side

Who would make your favourite all-time Albion XI?

Hello and welcome to our new weekly website feature coming to you every Thursday - give a warm reception, a round of applause even, to Albion XI.

It's a debate that has raged in local pubs, social clubs and on the terraces of The Hawthorns for decades - who would make your favourite all-time Baggies dream team?

Would you choose to lead the line? Who would get the nod between the sticks? The hard man in midfield? The creative flair? And what formation would bring this world-conquering blend together?

We hope to provide the perfect platform right here for supporters all over the world to declare their own favourite Baggies line-up from down the years. We'll be asking fans each week on social media to get involved and it could well be you who features in this very slot.

To kick things off, we couldn't think of a more worthy supporter to share his own Albion XI. Fresh from his latest charity challenge, author of 'From Light To Dark', the one and only Blind Dave Heeley.



Name: Dave Heeley
Age: 58
From: West Bromwich
fact: Interesting First blind person in the world to complete seven marathons in seven days on seven continents

"I've gone for an unorthodox formation, which I may get a bit of stick for!" says Dave. 
"I'm a great believer that the ball needs to be in the opposing half and with my team, it's certainly attacking.
"I've gone for old and new. You've probably got 100s of players and you could chat all night over a beer and probably pick 20/30 different teams.
"These are the players who stick out in my mind, I've picked a team who went out on the field and wore the shirt with pride and they all knew where the opposition goal was."

So here we go...

Goalkeeper

Ben Foster - He's been close to being the No.1 England keeper, I dont think we've had many others. He's obviously one of the best we've had.

Defence
Brendon Batson - Seeing him play all those years ago, he was a consistent player. He gave 100% every game he played.
Derek Statham - Another one, he was probably one of the best English players we had in the day. Why he never got more England caps is beyond me...

Midfield

Tony 'Bomber' Brown - He's got the perfect stat - most goals ever for Albion! Our top goalscorer of all time, he's got to be there! 
Bryan Robson - He was an all-round talent - kick it, head it - not far off the perfect player. 
Darren Fletcher - One of two current players in my XI. Listening to what he's done - he's the ball player, reads the game, plays the game, he's certainly a talent.
John Kaye - The hard man. If you wanted someone stopped, he's your man.
Willie Johnston - He bought his greenhouse...but even between then he put the ball wherever you wanted it.

Forwards

Jeff Astle - The King! One of the Mr West Bromwich Albion's. Nine times out of 10, he was in the right place at the right time.
Cyrille Regis - He gave 100%, he knew where the ball was and where he wanted to put it. Another striker who should have had more England caps.
Bob Taylor - With a mouth like his, you can't not have him! A striker who knew his job, he'd run all day. Give him the ball in the penalty area, he never passed it backwards.

Subs
John Osborne (gk), Bobby Hope, Len Cantello, Clive 'Chippy' Clark, Daryl Burgess.

Think your favourite team is better? Stay tuned across our official social media channels for your chance to feature in the coming weeks.

Come On You Baggies!