West Bromwich Albion 2 - Portsmouth 0

Bryan Robson made just two changes to the starting eleven. Thomasz Kuszczak took the place of injured Russell Hoult in goal and Kieran Richardson returned to midfield with Geoff Horsfield the unlucky player to make way, as Bryan Robson reverted to 4-4-2.

HIGHLIGHTS

There's no way any report can be confined to the Hawthorns, as events elsewhere shaped the success or otherwise of our Premiership campaign.

However, we could have been the first of the "relegation matches" to register a goal. Kieran Richardson played a one-two with Kevin Campbell and made a surging run into the Portsmouth half before stroking a low cross into the penalty area for Rob Earnshaw, but the striker disappointingly sliced his shot well wide.

The first news filtered through and it was good and bad, Norwich trailing 1-0 at Fulham, but Southampton taking the lead at home to Manchester United. Worse could have followed at the Hawthorns, when Fuller was nodded through the centre but failed to hit the target from the edge of the area. Next Keene tried a shot from distance that Thomasz Kuszczak, dropping to his right, did well to save.

Both home and away supporters were on their feet celebrating when United equalised at Southampton, but the Saints were still out of the bottom three as Palace fell behind at Charlton and Norwich conceded a second to Fulham. Albion's best strike of the half came just before the break. Kevin Campbell received the ball from a throw by Martin Albrechtsen with his back to goal, but turned his defender and struck a fierce shot, which was blocked at the near post by keeper Ashdown.

The invasion in full swing

Norwich were clearly heading for defeat when early in the second half they went a further goal behind, but in South London Palace were back in the hunt as their substitute Dougie Freedman netted an equaliser. Cue a substitution at the Hawthorns and Geoff Horsfield replaced Jonathan Greening, who had picked up a knock just before the break, as Albion switched to 4-3-3. Remarkably, in the 58th minute, within thirty seconds of coming on GEOFF HORSFIELD scored. Zoltan Gera crossed from the right and a poor defensive header dropped perfectly for the Horse who volleyed low to the keeper's right. In one leap, we had moved from bottom place to 17th and safety. Better still, as we were celebrating we heard that Ruud van Nistelrooy had put United into the lead at Southampton.

Anyone who thought it would be plain sailing from now on was wrong. First came the news that Palace had been awarded a penalty and as every eye was turned to the nearest person with a radio, a collective groan as Andy Johnson coolly slotted home the kick. Palace became the fourth side to occupy the coveted bottom-but-three position.

Another goal against Norwich meant that as long as we could maintain our lead they were out of the picture. In the 75th minute we did better than that. Kevin Campbell and Zoltan Gera combined wide right and when the latter crossed, a clearance was picked up by Richardson. He fed Geoff Horsfield who returned the ball with a neat back-heel which allowed KIERAN RICHARDSON to side-step a defender and drill a low left footed shot past the keeper.

Earnie firing away

With Saints requiring two goals it had become a straight battle between ourselves and Palace. Events on the pitch were now secondary as ears strained for good news from Charlton where it seemed that unfortunately the visitors were on top. Then it happened, Charlton were awarded a free kick wide left, the ball was crossed into the six yard box, the keeper hesitated and Fortune powered a header home. With the match tied at 2-2, we were staying up provided Palace didn't score again.

News of a fifth and sixth goal for Fulham were shrugged off, Albion played keep ball and played safe by bringing on Kanu for Earnshaw. Final whistles went at Craven Cottage and St Mary's Stadium and still the game continued at the Valley. The finish at the Hawthorns went almost unnoticed and then seconds seemed like hours as we waited for news from South London. When it came, pandemonium ensued as weeping and cheering fans flooded onto the pitch to celebrate. Then after everyone dispersed came an emotional lap of honour. A magic day.

ALBION FORMRATE : FAIR

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH : GEOFF HORSFIELD

STATISTICALLY

I always thought that the odds quoted against the Baggies staying up were overgenerous, because we had the best hope of gaining maximum points and so it proved. All of our rivals faltered leaving the table looking like this:

                                        p       PTS      GD
        17th    ALBION                  38      34      -25
                -------------------------------------------
        18th    Crystal Palace          38      33      -21
        19th    Norwich City            38      33      -35
        20th    Southampton             38      32      -21
   

How sick must the punter be - who bet ?180,000 on us going down (to win 15,000 at odds of 12-1 on) - and has lost it all?

Congratulations!:

As a "Villain" just want to say well done in staying up; really glad it was you. Will be great to have you back at Villa Park next season. Enjoy the summer!!!

 - Neil

I am a Blues fan, so is my wife and daughter. You took three points from us this season that would have seen us above Villa. It's almost worth it. The premiership is better with WBA in it. Can we have the 6 points next season please?

Well done. Deserved.

 - Andy, Sue and Grace

I am a Liverpool fan from Anfield, but I just wanted to congratulate you on staying in the Premiership today, I was hoping you would! (Glad the jinx of being bottom at Xmas and staying up has been broken too!)

I will look forward to another trip to the Hawthorns nest season! (Mind you the best news was that Palace went down - I hate going there! ;o) )

Well done!

 - Estelle

Just want to congratulate WBA in staying up. Excellent for football. I'm a Sunderland supporter but I first visited The Hawthorns in 1970 - I was working in Birmingham at the time - for an Anglo-Italian cup match against Inter Milan, I think. I was impressed with your fans, still am, and very pleased for Bryan Robson. I hope the Board back him next season.

Well done lads and good luck.

 - Bobby

Congratulations! I am so proud of the club. I am an American who followed the Baggies as a child in California, some 25 years ago. Robbo did so well. I couldn't be happier. I will wear my WBA scarf with pride. Baggies! Amazing!

 - erik

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! from Macclesfield

 - Mike

Congratulations to you all - on what i'm sure has been a nightmare of an afternoon for you guys. You got the right result and we're so pleased for you - sending the scummers down just topped off our season!

Enjoy your celebrations tonight - i'm sure they'll be long and alcoholic and see you all next season in THE PREMIERSHIP!

 - Funky Ape

Greetings from glasgow! Delighted you stayed in the premiership and hope you go on to greater things next season. Met some of you guys at newcastle where it was 0-0 until the last 15 minutes. Great fans, you deserve the best.

 - Rabj, Celtic fan

Yours was the first forum I could find. Congratulations on staying up, it's brilliant you guys are staying up. Nice to see The Horse and Bryan Hughes doing it for you today. Robson should be Manager of the Year without a doubt which is ironic given the stick he got at our place just before Christmas!

Anyway enjoy your celebrations and see you next season.

 - KRO

As a Palace fan, I want to say, well f****** done. Historic. Fantastic. Glad one promoted team did it. Pity it was Boing! instead of Bouncebackability but nontheless... enjoy another season in the Prem.

 - Mikwooley

I felt compelled to reply to this - what amazing thoughts. I don't think I would have offered congrats to Palace if they'd stayed up instead of us, well not so quickly anyway. Thanks Mik, hope you bounce back next year.

 - Kev

Congratulations on your survival from an Evertonian. I was delighted to see today's results, they cheered me up as we trudged away from the Reebok.

We had a great trip to the Hawthorns in April, the Vine is a top pub and your fans made us feel very welcome. The result went against us that day but, as those points helped keep you up and didn't affect our final position, it doesn't seem so bad now. It's also good to see Kevin Campbell doing so well.

Good luck for next season.

 - Chris McGinn

Port Vale fan here chaps. 20 years ago I met a Boing fan on holiday called Tony Noke, from Rowley, now Kingswinford. WE had the craig, etc, and I have always had your mob as a 3rd or 4th team.

Today, we sat, watched, drank, and wished you guys to win, and I know how p***ed Tony will be now... and I have not seen him for years.

Well done boys, and stuff the old phrase... "those at the bottom at Xmas etc!" If any of you know Tony, pass this on please.

 - Dave Bailey

Super news from the Baggies fans here in Palm City, Florida!!!!! I was watching Man Utd and listening to Albion courtesy of Albion World, I've never been so emotionally drained since my wedding!

We are going out tonight wearing the actual Albion traing shirts that were given to us by Robbo, Dave and Bamber and the Albion lads when we met up with them here in Florida a few months ago! They must come over to Florida for pre season training - it did them good! Robbo you have always been my hero, now even more so!

 - Gibbo (Still Boinging after all these years! Is that a song?????)

Good on you Baggies, my great grandfather came from WB so as a Charlton fan only to glad to help.

 - Alan Brooks

They say it's not over until the fat lady sings, well, as I jumped for joy in my appartment here in Inwood in New York, the tenor who lives in the adjacent building, filled the air shaft with his sweet tones, and my coon hound bayed, buoyed by my high spirits. I was choked at the end there, listening to the fans.... I am so very glad to be a Baggie, very very glad......

 - CH

Nice 1 nice 1 nice 1. Nobody deserved 2 get the result than U.

I'm a Man Utd fan {proud of it as well} but did u deserve a break of luck & also did Robbo nead a break as well. You have got a true gr8 man there & i hope long term 1 of the all time gr8 Managers.

Have a gr8 summer & i look foward 2 seeing u @ Old Trafford {or wh@ ever name the Yank has decised to call it {****}. And kieron aint half bad is he, i've been following his progress since he was 13.

 - nadenlad

It is Truely a great day, congratulations to West brom for fighting so hard and getting the deserved results. Can't wait for next season.

 - The New Zealand fans - Cam, Simon, Andy, Tim, Ali and Marty

Well done West Brom, I'm chuffed you managed to stay up this season. What a great comeback from a class team with class fans, you get to stay where you belong, up in the top league......

See you next year, glad we only play you twice a season... best wishes from a Boro (and Robbo)fan.

 - Jeff Taylor

Just wanted to say congratulations, and see you lot next year!

 - Damien Thomas, Boro fan

CONGRATULATIONS

I was delighted to see former SMOGGIES (Robson, Pearson , Greening) achieve the impossible. Look forward to seeing you in the PREMIERSHIP next year. Enjoy the Summer.

 - Europe bound SMOGGIE.

Overjoyed here in granada spain!!!!! last time i cried was that penalty against bradford!!! before that bristol rovers away say no more!!!! i think about the good times - port vale play offs - oldham 76 - the bad times standing behind the goal as a kid when we were relagated by man city in the early 70s - but this beats everything.

 - Ed Hawthorne

Congrats Baggies

Is it right that the Charlton equaliser was scored by Jon Jammybuddhabaggies?

 - Sean (Potter)

[ Er... possibly... he's a new Albion hero, anyway! ]

From a Pompey fan!

What a wonderful day sunday! I can't remember enjoying an away day as much as that one. I know it sounds silly but there was a special atmosphere before the game that some how indicated that things might go well for both teams!

Your supporters have been fantastic all season and im glad at least one of the clubs that came up survived, hopefully it sends a message of hope to other clubs in the 1st Division.

Here's to another season of top flight football for both clubs.... Keep on BOINGING!

 - Phil Philips

Well done chaps!! What a fantastic day it was, I can hardly remember an atmosphere like it. I was speaking to a few Baggies in town before getting the tram. From our standpoint, Sc*m getting relegated was priority number one, but ultimately if you stayed up into the bargain than even better. It was strange, but at no point did I think it wasn't going to happen, though thankfully I resisted putting money on it as that would have ensured it all going tits up.

Swapped my shirt at the end with one of your comradres, just pleased it fitted. 15/5/05 will be etched in the memory as it was a chance to enjoy one of the best post match parties ever. Note of caution though, if it is us in trouble next season we may not be so accomodating!! Anyway it's days like Sunday which makes football so special. Good luck and see you next season. PUP!

 - Den

I am a life long supporter of the Gunners but was glad to see that your fight and spirit did you proud on Sunday. You truly deserve to retain your Premiership status. I live near Norwich so all the locals are sick as parrots!

All the best for next year but please don't turn the Gunners over. I am sure that you join in my animosity towards our Cup Final opponents and the lucky Chelsea.

All the very best

 - Dave Martin

Congratulations!

I can relate to baggies fans, as looking at the TV coverage 90% of baggies fans seem to have a beer gut the same size as mine! I was particularly pleased for Robbo & Nigel Pearson. For Robbo, although he didn't show it, this must be the managerial equivalent of Stuart Pearce's penalty against Spain.

Anyway now to next season when you've got to go through it all again!! I don't know if you have any influence with the powers that be or any team scouts, but reality dictates that you are probably again going to have to make a couple of clever loan signings next season. You will definately need a replacement for Kieron Richardson and I know just the player! He's an Arsenal reserve called Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. This kid is like a cross between Thierry Henry & a greyhound!, and can play on the either wing or as a striker! He needs first team premiership experience & you need three or four quality players to avoid giving your fans a last day heart attack again next year.

Anyway as we sold you kanu, I reckon we owe you one!

Cheers

 - Mick

Celebrations in Florida

Even though we are 4,000 miles away from our beloved Albion - we still celebrated this ?historic? moment at our local watering hole (Palm City Grill) here in Palm City Florida USA, proudly displaying the T-Mobile training tops given to us by the club when we visited earlier in the season.

Come on you Baggies!

 - Paul Gibbons (who used to coach at WBA)

Congratulations to all involved in the club. Incredible emotional rollercoaster ride for everyone and we all love the underdog.

Following the result the texts of support came from people around N.Z who know that I am a supporter and sh/h of WBA. The world of influence grows.

Well done.

 - Pete

Well done for staying up, thus earning my other club - Cardiff City - an extra ?600,000 on the Earnshaw deal. Just wondering if you can let me know why the Boinging thing. How and why did it start?

 - Derek

[ If only we had a fiver for every time we've been asked this... take a look at the Questions and Answers page for some explanations ]

Brilliant for West Brom!!!! Robbo did the same for us at The Boro on more than one occasion and through him and his No. 2 Nigel Pearson we long suffering Boro fans were able to go to THREE CUP FINALS. An unheard of accomplishment.. promoted TWICE!! and most importantly, the Premiership was watching us blossom. Now all of Europe is going to watch us for another season.. Brilliant and all down to Robbo who gave us pride and self belief.

You will have heard how the Boro fans got rid of Robbo at the Riverside... don't you believe it, Robbo led us out of the Wilderness and many, many Boro fans will be forever in his debt and will never forget him, the best manager we EVER had. Our loss is your gain. I'm sure there were a host of North East fans rooting for the Baggies last weekend. See you next season...

 - Brian Sigsworth

I'm a pompey fan and i am reporting on how good it was up in west brom last sunday - wat a meeting it was a gr8 day for all fans (baggies baggies boing boing)(play up pompey)

 - Dean

Well done for staying up, as usual we played our part in ensuring your survival. Previously we have:

• Let you win 2-0 on the last day of the 99/00 season so you stayed up.
• Laid down and died as you thumped us 4-1 at the Valley this season.
• And now by drawing with dreaded Palace we have ensured your Prem safety.

Quite simply, I think you owe us one, so how about letting us have Gera and you can have Jeffers, a fair swap I think.

 - Martyn

[ We'll... er... get back to you on that one.... ]

Well done the lads. Have been away from home awhile but still a Baggies supporter through and through - just bloody amazing escape and well deserved.

 - Mick

My 2 daughters, Lizzie and Heather Oakley celebrating on the pitch after our heroic escape.

Well done, Baggies!!

 - Mike Oakley

J L Green:

Absolutly superb. Its 10:45, im p*ssed, ive just watched football first and saw our "heroes" for a second time. I am over the moon, is it better than Palace 3yrs ago?? I think so. I'm not going to go into the game, here are player ratings:

• Kuszczak - 8 - Didn't do much, but needs to be first choice next season.
• Robinson - 8 - One of our players of the season, didnt do nothing wrong
• Clement - 7 - Looked nervous, couple of silly mistakes
• Gaardsoe - 8 - Looked sharp, top quality
• Albert - 8 - Played a lot better than the last few games
• Greening - 7 - Looked knackered at times. Injured?
• Wallwork - 6 - Gave the ball away too often
• Gera - 8 - This guy is superb, i think he will be world class next year
• Richardson - 9 - Star man, looks like he will be going back to Utd. Pity.
• Campbell - 8 - Hardworking.
• Earnie - 6.5 - Missed a sitter early on. Didnt get a look in after.

Subs.

• Horse - 8 - 1st touch, 1 goal, enough said
• Kanu - 5 - Not on long enough.

• Robson - 10 - What can you say? We were all calling for his head at the start. Well done Bryan.

Fans

• Us - 10 - Only for 10 mins when Palace were winning was we quiet
• Them - 10 - Well done Pompey fans, you came to party with us, and how!!!!

Buenos Aires Baggie:

Bloody hell...

Here in Argentina i was forced to listen to the game over the internet and watch the Manure v So'ton game on Fox Sports... not really much to say other than well done to everyone at the club for achieving the seemingly impossible (well it certainly appeared that way after the last game i got to see at the Hawthorns on Boxing Day...jeez...).

Last time we stayed up on the last day v Charlton the team did a lap of 'honour' and half the ground quite rightly turned their backs and left. On this occasion, staying up on the last day, again thanks to Charlton (got to love them) the team deservedly received a huge ovation. Staying in the Premiership is a huge achievement and something I'm confident we can build on. Looking forward to watching us next year on Fox, hopefully we'll get chosen for a few more live games now we're established.

Boing Boing, Boing Boing

Chris Gullick:

I have to hold my hand up and say that Robbo was not my first choice as our new manager when Meggo left.

How he proved me wrong.

The players have shown belief, passion, and ability that they never believed they had, but Robbo has brought it out of all of them.

Never have I felt more proud to be a Baggie than today, we have squashed so many hoodoos. You know, team bottom at Christmas and all the crap that Sky, MOTD, Fivelive et al always bang on about. This might make them think.

I know it's early, but lets hope that Robbo is backed by the board financially with the player requirements he feels we need.

Lets enjoy the summer and look forward to the PREMIERSHIP fixture list in a couple of months.

Congratulations to everybody at West Bromwich Albion Football Club, who today have made history.

On a personal note, I would like to dedicate today to my Dad, who, I'm sure, was watching somewhere. Before he died four weeks ago, he said that we would stay up this season. How right he was!!

This one's for you, Dad.

Saggyox:

Hi to all the happy hung over fans. Being a lifelong Baggies fan, I thought I'd add my comments on our season from my distant perspective over here in Australia.

Firstly I felt sorry for Meggo as I don't reckon he got a fair crack at the Premiership on either of the occassions HE got us promoted, and he deserved more credit for turning our fortunes around quicker than the board could financially support him.

Replaceing him with someone we all viewed as a great past hero was maybe too smart a move, as his managerial credits were not exactly exemplary, even though his commitment to the club would never be doubted. Usually a new manager's arrival boosts the team and they pick up.... we didn't and although I began to doubt our chances of survival I did pick up that Robbo was genuinely commited and was working for our survival.

The arrival of an old work horse like Campbell was another move I initially doubted and after our results against Birmingham and Liverpool followed by our Christmas position, I was convinced we would not survive, but that Robbo was the right man to stay at the helm and guide us back up.

The changes in the team's fortune since Christmas have been both astounding and encouraging. The team seems to have gelled into just that, a TEAM, the comments from the fans are all positive and there has been a great belief in the so called "Great Escape".

The Middlesborough game was no less than a disaster to our fight for survival, but wasn't it amazing to see so many of their fans say we played better and deserved more and wish us well for our survival.

The point we recovered at Man Utd was a tide turner as it gave us the chance to do something this weekend, and despite all the nerves and expectation and fear.... we did it. We are the first team to avoid relegation having been at the foot of the table on Christmas Day, well if any team was going to break the hoodoo it had to be the Baggies as we were the first team to win the F.A.Cup while in the old second division too.

Congratulations to the team for sticking together and making a small part of soccer history. Well done to Kevin Campbell for coming in and helping to pull the individuals together to lead a united team. Thank you to Bryan Robson for coming in and ignoring all the doubters and knockers and proving he is a manager worthy of the Premiership and for showing his old Captain Marvel persona on an unshaking commitment to the club.

Good on yer to the fans for supporting the Baggies through thick and thin and helping them achieve the impossible, and gaining the respect of so many other fans around the world. Acknowledgements to all the fans of other teams who posted to the site congratulating us on staying up, especially those from the relegated teams who must be at a low point themselves.

I look forward to seeing what Robbo can lead us to next season, and hope we at least don't have to have a nerve jangling last day ever again. One final thought..... Robbo became the best player in the country while at the Baggies and was then bought up by Man United. If he continues to improve as a manager... how long will it be before Sir Alex retires and Man Utd come calling again?

Have a great Summer over there as we head into our Winter and I look forward to seeing our next season in the Premiership.

Lee (Saggyox) Duke, Gold Coast, Australia.

Melbourne Baggie:

Oh, yeah!!!!!

No fingers left, fingernails were gone by halftime. First time i've not felt a thing on an Albion goal. Could only listen, as fox were showing saints and manure and also norwich, fulham. Very hard to watch/listen to 3 games at once, especially as the fourth game, was the one that had the house Boinging at 1:50am.

Thanks to all you guys for a great web site, makes loving WBA all the better. Have a great summer, while us Aussies freeze, and look forward to reading more PREMIERSHIP tales soon.

Irememberwilliejohnstone:

Who shot the Fat Lady?

It was the Horse.....in the Hawthorns.... with a cracking volley.

What a f.......g day. Couldn't watch the game and had to rely on Sky Sports News in parallel with 5 Live to keep me up to date.

The missus had me doing a spot of D.I.Y. for which I had to remove the Baggies shirt to avoid soiling it, whilst it was off Palace took the bloody lead.

Finshed my chore quick sharpish slapped on the Colours again and sure enough Mr Fortune comes up trumps and grabs the equalizer for Charlton.

Still can't believe it but have to say how great it is to see greetings from other fans particuarly Palace and Blooze. (Like Kev, I couldn't have been so quick to offer similar feelings i don't think.)

Also thought Delia was on top form offering congrats to Albion.

Big up to all Baggies everywhere and roll on next season.

Andy Highfield:

I woke up this morning nervous, and had to switch on the news as quickly as possible to make sure we had actually stayed up. Seeing the league table reduced the blood pressure, still cannot believe it.

What a day it was! Bottom of the league until 4.20pm, we managed to do the impossible, the Pompey fans were outstanding, helping support the team all the way through. Funniest chants had to be the ones of ''let them score'' and also chanting for the referee to send off one of their own players after a foul. But our fans were outstanding too, even when Palace were winning the Smethick still did it's best to keep the chants going. I'm not sure if you could get a better atmosphere, even that Scouse-Chelski champs league semi final.

Think Campbell or Robinson were probably man of the match for me, but all of them played thier part, Horsfield was the ultimate super sub with a goal and an assist.

This can be the platform for us to really progress, we can now keep the players we want to and if the chairman can find some decent money for Robbo, and he can use his worldly contacts to bring in some top class players. Just use as an example Birmingham, who are now bringing in some quality players becuase they have reached that stability.

The amount of Birmingham fans wanting to shake hands and wish the Baggies well before and after the game was immense too.

Bluie Stewie:

I can hardly believe what has just happened. At midnight on Sunday I turned on to the Soton Manure game. At three in the morning I went to bed with my scarf on and a smile on my face. But in between - crikey. If you had scripted a film and put that little lot in as the climax of the film it would be condemned as too contrived. How could you start off on the bottom and finish 17th? How could each of the four clubs occupy the safety spot all on the same day? How could Palace let it slip? Who named Fortune Fortune? Who gave the Horse the icy nerve to gallop on as sub and hoof the opening goal with his first touch? Who do we love? The Baggies, that's who - the whole bloomin' lot of 'em!!!

Bless us all, as Tiny Tim once said. Bless us all.

Goulds Coffin:

Can't believe it.

I'm stuck in Singapore on work, but found a pub to watch the Soton and Norwich games, plus regular text updates from bro Phil, bro in law Brad and other mates. I am proud beyond words, but want to say thanks to you and all Baggies who have kept the faith.

My mate Dom's just texted me to say he saw my Dad (Roger Rimmer) kissing someone on Match of the Day. Whoever it was, give 'em one from me Dad.

And to echo my brother's last text, Wolves can wait.

Boing boing.

Mayo Baggy:

The game was the chosen live match on RTE1 with Johnny Giles and Ray Houghton as the pundits. Both predicted an Albion win but Johnny - who obviously wanted the Baggies to stay up - thought Norwich would get the result they needed. So glad he got that one wrong!

Very tense first half - gave Pompey too much of the ball and they passed it well without looking particularly dangerous - but where was our goal to come from after Earnie missed that sitter? Ronnie Walwork kept giving the ball away in bizarre fashions too and I feared a Pompey goal on the break. Much better start to second half by the whole team and I started to believe we might get the result. Also good that Robbo bought an extra forward on early I thought - though I didn't expect such a quick return! Great strike, 1-0 and results going our way but I feared that the freefalling Charlton would collapse after the Palace equaliser and wasn't surprised to hear it was 2-1. Fortunately there was time left for the nervous Palace to allow the Addicks back into the game and all was well in the world again.

Lucky? Well, the United penalty and last minute goal at Villa proved crucial but there has been plenty of bad luck this season too - it was a good time to even things out in the final games and the players deserved it.

Robbo is a good manager and a 'name' in the game who will attract other good players to add to a squad that now knows it can survive in the Premiership. Not getting expectations too high for next year, but we will hopefully avoid the drop zone and have a more relaxing end to the 05/06 season - and maybe a good cup run too, a Robbo speciality?

Proud to be a Baggie - but would have still been anyway had we gone down. Robbo is hopefully the man to take us on to bigger and better things but much respect to Megson (and the board) who got us in the Prem twice from out of nowhere.

Boing! Boing! I'm sure the craic is mighty in the Black Country - I may have a few black pints in honour of the occasion (any excuse). Enjoy the celebrations!

kenny:

What a day, what a season. Can't believe that things actually went our way. I am sure we all had 'sneeky' feelings that we could do it but dared not utter them aloud for fear of upsetting the gods!

First half was terrible. Thankfully, Pompey didn't have the heart to punish us as otherwise they would have been out of site (Remember Andy Hunt on the last day of the 99/00??!?!?!?). They had so much of the ball but just passed it amongst themselves rather than going for goal. Amazing scenes and chants from the away section. I have never seen that at a football match. "Let them score!", "Albion! Albion!", "You only need one goal!" and when we scored - what a reaction from the Pompey fans. As delirious as we were! Fantastic!

Second half was much better but I still don't think we would necessarily have won against a team who put more into it. Still, who gives a f@#k. We're staying up!

Totally surreal atmosphere as we waited for better news from The Valley and when it came, complete pandemonium. I didn't watch the last 10 minutes - I had my eyes glued to the bloke behind me who was listening to the radio. The various expressions on his face as Palace attacked and failed and then finally when the final whistle went were amazing!

Well done Robbo and the boys. You really must take your hat off to them. They have fought bravely and got the reward their efforts deserved. We are far from being a good premiership side, we all know that, but every good side is based around hard work, team spirit and leadership. Qualities we have in abundance. We must focus on the task ahead though. Next year will be tough with even greater expectation. This second consecutive season will be harder than this. Succeed and we really can look forward to continuing success. Hopefully, we can get a goal scorer (Johnson from Palace is unlikely to want to stay in the Championship now he has England ambitions). We need that and some quality in the middle - can Richardson be persuaded he isn't ready for Man Ure yet (personally, I think he gives the ball away too much but that could be just is current desire to show himself off).

Anyway, lets enjoy the summer and the congrats from our work colleagues and friends. As an exiled Baggie in Yorkshire I don't know anyone else who is an Albion fan up here and so can't share my joy. My girlfriend dumped me last week but this has really put the smile back on my face.

Thank you Albion!

Cambridge Baggy:

It's terrific the way that other fans have sent in their messages of congratulations. Breaking the Christmas hoodoo is real history-making stuff and its great to feel that other supporters recognise that and are grateful to us for doing it at last!

Bryan Robson! What can you say? A giant and a rock. And let's always be fair to Gary Megson's achievement here, too. He took us out of the wilderness and breathed real life and fire into the team and the club. He gave us three fantastic seasons, which we can now build on and re-establish ourselves where we should be.

I'd certainly like to say to Mikwooley, the Palace fan, that your Bounceability team and supporters and especially Ian Dowie, who has been a model of dignity as well as getting every ounce out of limited resources, have got nothing but my greatest respect after this season. Best of luck to you next season.

And now to the Baggies 2005-6. We can look forward to seeing all our heroes and a few new faces competing in the top flight at the Hawthorns next season under Bryan Robson and hopefully for many, many years to come. Fergie's had over 20 years at Man U- why shouldn't that be our target for Robson's reign at the Hawthorns?

Boing Boing!

Louis Chawner:

Staying up!

Well, still can't really believe it. All week, I was convinced that Norwich and Southampton would fail to win, convinced that we would win, but also convinced that Palace would win and cock it all up for us. I think we can start to push on now and hopefully get towards mid-table next season.

Lamp Baggie:

What a day! No words to describe it - unbelievable.

Congrats to BR - you proved me wrong and I'm over the moon.

Scrappy game very nervy pereformance but once we were ahead I knew we'd win - credit to all players.

Pompey fans brilliant - I won't forget the scenes at the end of the game -incredible.

Baggies fans terrific fantastic atmosphere - this is better than promotion.

Hard luck on our relegation rivals - it was an epic dog fight to the end.

Paul Wooding:

I owe Robson a big thank you and a big apology.

Thank you for making me once again proud to be a Baggie. For giving me a fantastic day of memories (took my 91 year old Grandad to the game) and for finally giving a long suffering Baggies' fans something I have dreamed of for twenty years, consecutive seasons in the top flight of English football. Megson gave me hope, you've given me salvation.

17th in the Premiership is exactly where we wanted to be in September and it's exactly where we ended up. That is cause for rampant celebration. It's about achieving realistic targets, Chelsea wanted to win the league and they went nuts when they won it, it is no different for us.

And now the apology. Sorry for being against your appointment, for listening to rumours and gossip when I should have held my tongue and given you a chance.

To be fair, it took you longer than I thought it would to suss out what players had the character and skills to give survival a shot, but it's still no excuse for the shabby treatment I and a fair percentage of my fellow fans gave you.

I had a feeling we'd be OK this season... it was when Liverpool (I think) were slaughtering us at Xmas. I was in the Sponsors lounge watching the game and moaning. Wallwork was next to me in his tracksuit... and he was more pissed off than I was about the performance. It struck me that a player who I thought couldn't give a toss about the club was as irked as I was about how we were playing. Something about his attitude and his eyes said that he wanted to make a difference. Of course, this can all be dismissed as romantic dwey eyed nonsense, but it happened all the same.

I have a 4 hour round trip to the Shrine and while Megson's achievements will never be forgotten, it's been refreshing to spend time and money watching a team try - and in the main - succeed in playing football.It's also been a revelation to watch a team thoroughly enjoy playing football for a manager they respect.

So Bryan, thanks for getting Richardson to wear a Baggies' shirt, thanks for getting Campbell in - the man is a credit to all of his fellow professionals, thanks for managing difficult team decisions (Earnie as a sub, Wallwork in from the cold) without the accompanying disenfranchisement of players that seemed to be the way of the Baggies recently.

Next season? Who knows. We're 25 million better off and we have had the media attention and exposure that will help tempt players to the Hawthorns. I'll take 16th place and safe by March...we need to consolidate and build, have 2/3 quiet years in the Premiership, putting together a war-chest and a squad that will grow into a team capable of mid/upper table safety with, hopefully, a cup run. And then..? I'm 32 now. If we can be top six by the time I'm 40... that'll do me. My Grandad will be 99...what a way to celebrate coming into your centenary year!

Bryan Robson is clearly a manager that bonds with his players, he's clearly a manager that believes in playing football and he's clearly a manager who is back, bigtime.

Thanks and boing boing.

Andy:

To Kenny, the Baggie exile in Yorkshire, you are not alone there are dozens, if not hundreds of us up here. As a truly exiled Baggie living in South Yorkshire for 25 years,I have experienced the high's and the low's, cried tears of sadness and joy, but experienced nothing like the feelings on Sunday.

To everyone at the Albion two words THANK YOU, to the supporters - magnificent as always. To have Sheff United and Wednesday supporters coming up and passing on their congratualations was and is an unbelievable experience. Is it just my imagination or did the whole football world wear blue and white stripes on Sunday?

From all exiled South,West and North Yorkshire Baggies, we kept the faith all those years ago, you've repaid us well.

Simon:

This really is the new era for The Baggies. Megson took us from struggling Championship side to play offs and promotion twice, but never succeeded in the Premiership. Robbo has stuck with his guns and exceeded everyones expectations.

The last few months of hard work, passion and the occasional bit of luck now means that we will start a season as an established Premiership team. This will be the season where Robbo will truely be judged and where the Baggies can start the next chapter!!!

The Throstles are great:

Today in Brum it's dull wet and windy, but how often has this been the weather on a typical Monday morning down the years? A day when all one wants to do is to reflect on whether those Summer forecasts, telling that this is going to be one of the hottest, sunniest, brightest summers, could possibly be correct.

But whether it turns out accurate or way off beam, I'll tell you without fear of contradiction (?!) NOTHING WILL EVER SURPASS THE TOTAL GLOW OF BRILLIANT SUNSHINE, UNSURPASSED JOY, FLAG WAVING, DELIRIOUS BAGGIE FANS WHO JOINED ME, AND 27,O0O PLUS FANS (!) ON THE HAWTHORNS HALLOWED TURF AS SOON THE GREATEST FOOTBALL ESCAPE EVER HAD BEEN ACHIEVED

Like 99% of Baggies fans, although i suppose i had to be optimistic, the blunt truth i was most definitely feeling pessimistic. Yes i thought we'd beat Portsmouth but expecting none of the other three relegation candidates NOT to lose was surely asking too much!

But Robbo and the lads DID achieve the impossible dream. We are still a Premiership club, and those 'Fairies' at the bottom of my garden are still sitting there out wearing mini size 'T Mobile' Albion tops and singing "The Lords My Shepherd".

What a day. Yes I've seen the 1954 Throstles and the 1968 Baggies win the FA Cup at Wembley. Seen Graham Williams list the League Cup at the Hawthorns after beating West Ham in 1966. The 1993 Second Division play-off win, again at Wembley, and joined the rest of the country in celebrating England's World Cup Final on July 30th 1966 after seeing Bobby Moore running around Wembley with the Jules RImet trophy. Plus those amazing, now seeming obligatory, end of the season cliff hangers that Jeremy Peace should attempt to have Hallmarked as being the sole property of West Bromwich Albion.

Despite all of these triumphs the atmosphere yesterday relegated them into the Runners up position. Totally, totally, unforgettable and whatever future history has in store for OUR club, yesterday's sense of occasion will be such that when chatting to future generations of Albion supporters they'll be able to tell "I WAS THERE".

'I was there', when for the first time in living memory a full house Hawthorns crowd ALL supported the Baggies! The Pompey fans made THEIR own banners pledging THEIR 'loyalty' to Albion. They 'plundered' OUR club shop to buy Albion tops, they joined in 'our' chants, OUR Palm 23, they Boinged, boinged when WE scored. In fact they wanted US to win against THEIR team.....! And how they enjoyed mingling with out on the pitch, and down at the Vine, after the match!

Friendships were made that will take some breaking (!) we swapped jokes, stories, and memories from the past. WE led the singing of 'Play up Pompey, while THEY uttered the now immortal sounds of the '23rd Psalm. Bizarre? Yes. Ridiculous? of course. But as we posed for photographs together it proved that the vast majority of Football fans are just normal (if that's possible!) people whose outlook on life is no different to any other group of individuals.

Why do they literally hate who they describe as 'The Scummers from Southampton (?) well for those on the list who are unaware why, when, or how it started, the truth is the seeds were sown long before Messrs Redknapp and Smith left Fratton Park for St Mary's. It started way, way back in the 20/30's when in an industrial dispute on the South Coast, workers from both Portsmouth and Southampton were united in complete harmony... UNTIL.. the Southampton workers broke the strike and went back to work. And when that happens there can only be one winner. And it ain't the workers!. Long memories hey?

Thank you lads we'll see you next season in the Premiership. As to the match itself, no we didn't play well, nerves played a large part in that, but it didn't matter. Albion won, the other didn't, and the pleas for Bryan Robson to be Canonised (!) have already been set in motion.

Finally if you've never seen grown men cry then all i can say is that you should have been sitting/standing next to yours truly yesterday.and never have i embraced so many 'strangers' in my life before (although as Baggies fans they should i suppose be classed as in-laws?!)

As for T. Mobile great sponsors, and whoever came up with the 'Great Escape' theme has to be handed a huge bonus. I went to bed last night, inwardly retaining the sight and sounds of the theme, woke up after a still restless night's sleep (wondering whether I'd dreamt it HAD REALLY happened, woke up, switched on the Radio and they were all suffering from the same condition... apparently!

Thanks also to those supporters who wished the 'Grorty Dick' editors all the best for the future. Never did i expect to be asked to autograph what's turned out to be the Final Issue. Humbling in the extreme believe me. Incidentally many listeners have been phoning Radio WM asking if they'll consider issuing a CD of their much appreciated commentary of the match itself. Paul Franks say's they'll certainly see what can be done in this respect and if i hear any update I'll naturally pass on the relevant details.

All for now but no doubt as soon as log off I'll intantly recall other memories!? To all our friends on a World wide basis I'm sorry you couldn't be there to witness the scenes of 'Mass hysteria' for yourself, but of one thing you can be sure... the end of the season DVD will show them in all their true unvarnished glory!!!

Lord Charles:

Just had to have my say on such an historic day.

I have never, in nearly 40 years of watching Albion been through such an emotional 90 minutes. It?s almost impossible to describe the array of emotions we all went through.

I was at Twerton Park in ?91 when Albion went down to the third and someone spread the news of an Oxford equalizer at Leicester a goal that would have saved Albion. We found out the news was false making our devastation even worse. I decided on that day that I would never put myself in a position again, so, I arrived at the Hawthorns with a radio.

While it was 0-0 at The Hawthorns I was more worried about us not being able to beat Pompey than results going against us. The thought of going down because we failed to win rather than results going against us was just unthinkable. The more the results away from the Hawthorns went for us the more nervous I became and it was difficult to decide who was on edge more; the crowd or the team.

After a chat with my mates at half time we decided that we didn?t look like scoring... A ploy that has worked in the past and duly worked again when ?Horse? scored and we were wrong again!!!!!

With Norwich and Southampton looking ?dead? it suddenly it became Us or Palace. With Palace having drawn level our worst fears were confirmed when ?5 Live Commentary? at The Hawthorns was interrupted: ?We have a penalty at The Valley?????To Palace?. Not wishing to suffer in silence everyone around me soon knew. After what seemed an age the penalty was converted and it was starting to look bleak for Albion.

Suddenly sections of the crowd erupted. Fans sitting close to me looked towards me pleading for good news of a Charlton goal... it was a ?hoax?. Even worse Steve Claridge (co-commentator at The Valley) suggested that there would be only one winner?.. and it wasn?t Charlton.

?5 Live commentary? was at The Valley now. Less than 10 minutes to go. My mate in front of me turned round and said ?Do Charlton look like scoring?? I shook my head, we needed a miracle or a stroke of Fortune!!!!

I heard Steve Claridge say ?what a stupid free kick to give away at this stage of the game.? The free-kick came in and Charlton?s Fortune scored and I went ballistic (on-lookers said my face was purple) celebrating. The Hawthorns had erupted... Safety was less than 10 minutes away. I found myself relaying the commentary to those around me, tension was building by the second as Palace came close to scoring again. Supporters looked grey with worry. Full-Time came and went at The Hawthorns almost un-noticed 2-0 to Albion, at least our heroes had kept their part of the bargain. ?How much added time is there?? I was asked. I didn?t know? I either missed the announcement or they didn?t say.

All I knew was that it seemed to be going on forever and the tension was getting worse and worse. Then I heard the words I will never forget. ? It?s all over, Palace are relegated.? The feeling of complete and utter joy are cannot be put into words. I hugged my son as tears of joy streamed down my face and he said to me ?Dad I knew you?d cry if we stayed up!!!? I didn?t care?. Such relief, such joy, can life ever get any better than this?

Des:

Today had been a wierd day as I feel I have inhabited two different worlds over the last 48 hours. Yesterday still seems like a dream state and today has been peculiar because its funny everyone not feeling the way i feel. I don't remember too much action about the game, just themes and emotions which ebb and flow.

I know we played badly in the first half, probably nerves. I don't think anyone or any newspaper report has made much of the Pompey role in all of this. It seemed to me that we could have put an open goal in front of them and they would have missed and feigned disappointment. In the first 45 minutes it looked like they were doing what they had to do to so as not to attract criticism but they were cute enough to know they shouldn't score. In the second half they seemed to be imploring us to score, while still having themselves to go through the motions. Then when the it looked as the saints would stay up the pompey fans started singing "you only need one goal" and "let them score, let them score". If one of the pompey players had of said "we're doing the worst we can under the circumstances" I would have understood. Someone behind me said "pompey are doing everything they can to help us out" and IMO they were right. Then the Horse comes on rattles one in and pompey and baggies join in mass euphoria, tinged with a feeling of what's going to happen here or there. Then news that CP take the lead, that was like watching a very bad train smash from afar feeling sick and knowing there was absolutley fcuk all you can do about it. We go 2-0 up, v good but so what? Palace are still winning, bitter sweet, but more bitter than sweet.

A young mate we brought to the game came complete with a radio. He lost contact with our game and simply focussed on what was happening at the Valley. When some funny twats in the corporate boxes indicated to the crowd that charlton had equalised it went round the ground like wildfire. My mate just sat there impassive, listening to the radio... nothing. "Have Charlton equalised??" a shake of the head a despondent look said it all, false alarm, hope, dawn the fcuking lot. By now the people around us were just looking at my mate, fingers holding the headset pushed into his ears. Then he did an impression of a polaris missile, YESSSS. "Have charlton equalised??" YESSSS people started slapping him on the back and hugging him like he was the one who had tucked the ball away. He then sat back down again and gave the radio his complete attention. Everyone sat back down again and gave him their complete attention. People were saying to him "come on mate whats happening" but he couldn't hear a word he was listening to the radio. Our game finishes, but everyone has lost interest in our game, they are only interested in the man listening to the radio. Suddenly with a jab of both fists he signals the charlton game is over, and we are safe, we are have survived, the great escape is a fcuking reality. The Hawthorns goes mad.

It's a strange thing being tearful because you are so relieved. Not crying but just having tears flow down your face. No pain, no great joy just an indescribable relief. Why I'm not sure, no-one was going to die, or lose their job, no-one had won the lottery or recovered from a critical illness. It doesn't make any sense, but around me at least everyone was wiping away tears. Perhaps its like an epidemic - one person starts, everyone is infected... I don't know.

27000 people going mad, all with their own unique feelings and emotions, with their own stories to tell. My story is that this is about me and brother who have been going since were young kids, its about my daughter and his two lads we are all STHers. We are a family, we go to games we watch the game and then we come home again as a family. Its about the people who for the last 4 years have been sitting in front of us and to either side of us and behind us. We know them, they are not our family but we know and like them, we are all a part of this close community. We have seen good and bad times together and will in future be together for more good and bad times. Yesterday we came through an ordeal together, we survived together and that was a very special feeling.

Jules:

Teriffic, and outstanding end to a, lets face it, agonising season.

All the bad luck given to albion and all the good luck given to the other teams all season has finally been reversed. i can't think of anything apropriate to say, i'm so overwhelmed words don't do it justice. i'm just very very proud and looking forward to next season.

Player ratings:

• kuszczak: not a lot to do, kicking good, should be a regular next season, 8 season 9, only played in 3 league games and conceded one goal (Fulham)
• Robinson: average performance, did ok 7, season 9, has improved massively under robson, will play a major role next season and may even get a call up to england squad.
• Gaardsoe: passing not the best, prone to hoofing and hoping but comfortable on ball, good tackler. 7 season 7, was wrongly left out of the starting xi in favour of purse during much of first half of season. but has adjusted to the premiership well with room for improvement.
• jesus: a poor game 4, season 8, been instrumentle and inspirational for much of the season although is prone to lapses of concentration. another player that will improve next season i believe.
• Zoltan of smethwick: a quieter game then usual but was still a handful 8, season 10, best player in the stripes for years, has a massive part to play next season, a couple more signings of his ability and atitude will put us in the top half of the table, maybe in contention for a european spot.
• Albrechtsen: dependable, struggled to get forward today, 7 season 7, a player that quietly gets on with it, has had superb moments but his price tag has yet to be justified
• Richardson: great swansong, 9 season 9, has been our best player this half of the season, a breath of fresh air, we will miss him when he goes back to old trafford, but we are in a position to sign a similar sort of player and inamoto will be valuable once he gets a full preseason with us.
• clemo: dependable as ever, 7 season 8, our most consistent player, matured under megson but continues to blossom.
• Campbell: good game but still a pale shadow of his performances from january/february, 7 season 8. brought in to do a job which hes been doing at everton for the past few seasons. a brilliant sportsman, sadly for him i think he'll be a fringe player next season but hes going out on a high.
• wallwork: slow and frustrating 4, season 7. has improved massively since the change in management, was like a new signing, but i would still replace him as the club looks to the future.
• Earnie: troublsome, effective, defensive game top notch today, 8 season 7. his first season at this level has been successful, hes top scorer for us. but should have scored many many more. still has to mature in terms of atitude but he'll get there.
• the Horse: kept his record of never been relegated, a local hero for 2 teams, battled hard and his best goal in the stripes. 9 season 6. i think he will also be a fringe player next season unless an attractive offer comes in, 3 goals in a season isn't too good.
• Kanu: wasn't on long but did ok 7, season 5. phenomenal at start of season but thats because he was surrounded by crap, the crisp passing play of arsenal is what he thrives on, should we keep him then i believe he'll do much better next season.

Other players in squad for season:

• hoult: i'm sorry but i really think its his last season at this level, he played on for too long with his back trouble. he has served us well and will always be a hero. 5
• scimeca: useful only very occasionally, i say we sell him. 4
• Big Dave: hasn't had much of a look in but when he has he hasn't let us down. 7
• Purse: his own goals and other calamities nearly cost us our place in this league (if palace had won at charlton they wouldnt have stayed up if he hadn't let johnson score against us at home). sell him 1
• Koumas: already on the transfer list, a shame his talent and attitude don't corelate. 2
• Johnson: got forced out due to injury but probably the most frustrating player to watch, sell him, he will do well in the championship, somewhere like plymouth? maybe megson will have him at forest? can't fault his effort tho, 4
• Chaplow: a good signing, definately one for the future but i don't understand why sign him this season and hardly use him? 7
• Dyer: i don't want us to sell him permenently, but another loan spell at a decent championship side next season will raise his game, maybe crystal palace or norwich will loan him? 5
• Murphy: never featured in squad until today did he? 10 for being at the party!
• Inamoto: never got a look in but i think he'll fill the void left by richardson. 7

Gary Megson: had the wrong attitude at this level, tactics suspect, should have left at end of last season, but he will always be a hero to us, forget the situation surrouding his departure and remember the 2 promotions and the club being put back on the map. this season 2. overall effect on the club, 9

Bryan Robson: i dont want to hear anyone ever say he was the wrong choice again. took the wheel of the titanic after it hit the ice-berg and got it to new york on time. his winning attitude has rubbed off on the players, he shouldnt aim for survival again next season, lets aim for eufa cup, we can do it, the stripes will march on. 10

Enjoy the summer, we've all earned it.

OregonBaggies:

Just incredibly overjoyed here in the northwest part of the USA. A Baggies fan since 1978 and this is probably the happiest day I've known. I haven't cried for joy in AGES and this result, with the greatest football fans in the world singing and cheering their hearts out, along with these incredible visiting fans, and Geoff's MASSIVE goal and Robbo's sideline dances and Kieran, laughing and crying, on Baggie's shoulders... it's just too much. Just friggin sobbing listening to the end of the game. So proud of the club and what they've gone through this season. I just hope I can see the boys in person at the Hawthorns next season.

p.s. please please please train in the USA in the off-season. Hell, take on our local Portland Timbers for a warm up friendly. God Bless the Baggies!

Fox Soccer Channel will show the game Friday, May 20th.

Cheers,
Greg

Simon Handy:

Konnichiwa!

Watched live here in Japan (23:00ko) on sky (thank you Meggo for signing Inamoto!)

Still feeling drained after probably the weirdest game I've ever seen. Baggies fans in with the Pompey NO Pompey fans with Albion shirts!? Worst part was being 2-0 up but so what with Palace winning, the sickness of the situation was almost real I wanted to retch. At the final whistle "AND......?!!!!" wait, wait, wait.... YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! I probably woke the neighbours up & I live next to a cemetery. Could I get to sleep after that? No chance.

Tough to get through six hours of teaching on Monday but I just kept drifting off back to the Hawthorns (true professional!).

Message to Robson - PLEASE keep Inamoto for next season!

Plus a big DOMOARIGATOGOSIMASHITA to everyone at the club, fans, sponsors, Pompey & not forgetting Charlton for making not only an unforgetable day but a truely amazing season:-)))))))))))))))))))))))

Sayonara
Nippon Baggie

AJ-B:

I hope that this very belated posting can be - well, posted! I have been away on holiday since 14th May, returning 28th. This is only the 2nd time this season I have not sent in a report having seen all other home & away games. When my wife booked the hols it did not seem so relevant back in early January, believing all would be settled by late March, & to miss the Pompey game was an acceptable cross to bear to keep marital harmony.

However on that now famous Sunday 15th May 2005, my nerves were a frazel, I was on a boat in the Indian Ocean heading for Zanzibar, my mobile signal was going on & off like a hoars draws, my son was at the game & sent text reports of our progress, then as if somebody was determined to keep me in permanent suspense, just 10 minutes before the final whistle my bloody signal failed asgain! I then had to wait an agonizing FOUR HOURS before I got the final confirmation of the amazing scenes at the Hawthorns, it was now gone 11pm - 2 hours in front of UK time, my wife & I were walking along the pool deck when my mobile burst into action swiftly followed by me Boinging like a startled Gazelle all around the deck & whistling the Great Escape tune to the astonishment of fellow passengers & startled crew!! The men in White coats were on standby!

The news was absoluteley brilliant & Bryan Robson - the REAL Captain Marvel - amazing the power the word "SHAZAM" evokes! Bryan has totally transformed our club, perhaps now the "die hard" Megsonite brigade will finally get behind our new team instead of the displaying the childish, disgusting & undeserved booing they implemented at St. Andrews earlier on. Bryan & Nigel Pearson have worked their magic amongst the most enormous pressure anyone has ever worked under, but THEY WON & so did all of us. We have the nucleus to become another Charlton & who knows in this crazy world of football, perhaps we can even emulate Everton.

Oh I forgot to mention there were a couple of Norwich supporters on board, easily recogniseable by their Canary yellow complexions - pig sick after I broke the news. Ah, it really is great to be a Baggie.

Perhaps we can now relax the remainder of the summer & re-charge the tanks for another supercharged season.