Six years on - the Battle revisited

Six years ago today I witnessed one of the most shambolic, hateful, dirty, eventful football matches I've ever seen.

And, as a sports writer, I knew it would be a never-to-be-forgotten day in my career.

On March 16, 2002, Albion beat Sheffield United 3-0 in a game which was to be remembered as the Battle of Bramall Lane. It was a day three United players got sent off - subs Suffo and Santos within a minute of coming on, without even touching the ball - two more (Ullathorne and Brown) went off injured and player-coach Keith Curle did all he could to get himself red-carded, picking out Scott Dobie and Danny Dichio for special attention. Why? You draw your own conclusions. Suffice to say, football matches cannot continue with so few players.

It was a chaotic afternoon. The game finished in the 82nd minute yet you can guarantee at least 10 minutes would have been added onto the 90 due to all the various hold-ups. Poor referee Eddie Wolstenholme - who was to ref Albion's promotion-clinching game against Palace later that year - admitted that game had a huge impact on his career.

Covering the game for the Sports Argus and Birmingham Mail, I didn't know what the outcome was. Was it a 'result'? Was it classed as a void, abandoned game?

There was more.

Adam Chambers was racially abused during the game, Andy Johnson - whose knee was almost torn off by Santos' dreadful challenge, prompted by a long-running rift between the two players - had to be separated from his nemesis by police, while Gary Megson retreated to the stand for fear of his personal hatred for Neil Warnock (mutual I should add) descending into full-blown violence.

Then there was the post match fall-out. Megson refused to bring his side back to Sheffield for a re-match, the United board were desperately apologising for what had happened and the Albion director Clive Stapleton was so outraged he went out live on Radio Five Live's 606, then presented by Richard Littlejohn. And then there was the unnamed member of United's coaching staff - currently back in management - who called Megson up to apologise for the shameful events.

The Santos challenge on Johnson made the back page of the Sunday Mirror. 'Is this the worst tackle of all time?' asked the headline, as it showed a frame-by-frame of the incident.

The Football League hearing five days later brought its own comedy moments when Albion chairman Paul Thompson walked along the London street looking through the windows of random office buildings as he tried to find the Football League HQ, not realising he'd walked past it twice. You had to be there, I guess.

Three points and a 3-0 result were awarded to Albion, United weren't docked points, Warnock somehow kept his job.

The next day Albion played Forest, on a Friday night, and picked up another three points.

Those were surreal times.

The Baggies ended up promoted come the end of April.

Question is will the class of 2008 follow suit?

It's ironic Albion should choose this weekend to lose their heads against Leicester, as underlined by Luke Moore's dismissal for a reckless challenge.

Yet promotion is still in their hands as they are five points behind with two games in hand. Albion fans will be hoping it doesn't slip through their grasp.