Shirts to be auctioned off next week
A UNIQUE shirt, for unique staff.
Albion Foundation director Rob Lake has paid tribute to his 'inspirational' staff - as the Club prepare to wear one-off Albion Foundation shirts in tomorrow's match against Norwich City.
The Baggies players will wear a special embroidered jersey in Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture, a game which has been designated as this season's Foundation Day and continues the Foundation's silver jubilee celebrations.
Those shirts will be auctioned off, with full details to follow next week.
And tomorrow also marks the end of the Baggies Bike Challenge, with the riders - including Albion legend Bob Taylor, fan Blind Dave Heeley and director Adrian Wright - due to arrive at The Hawthorns tomorrow lunchtime.
Lake has been delighted with the Foundation's progress over the years.
"It is massive for us, it is a celebration of 25 years," said Lake.
"It gives us an opportunity to reflect on where we have come from. We have grown from one person back in 1991 when the club was probably at its lowest ebb, relegated to the Third Division.
"The journey the club and the Foundation has gone on in that time is huge. We are in a position where the club is established in the Premier League and the Foundation is, I believe, one of the best in the country.
"We have 50 full-time staff, 75 part-time staff and more than 100 volunteers.
"And we are going out and delivering some really important work in some of the most deprived areas of the community. We just want to celebrate that.
"I personally want to celebrate my staff because they are the ones who are the most important. They do an incredible job day in, day out with our community."
He added: "Good news does not always sell but there is a heck of a lot going on in the club and in the community day in, day out.
"I have been here seven years. Over that time we have grown massively, we have doubled in number of staff. We work much more closely with the club now and are embedded in the community, with the council, the local schools and the police. We have really strong partnerships, a real focus on key areas of work.
"Disability is a massive area for us - sport for all, making sure kids are enthused to want to play sports. I think we are having a real impact.
"My staff engage and inspire the kids. Our motto is ‘Inspire to Achieve’ and I know they do that every single day. We’re very, very proud."