June 2008 Archives

So McCourt never happened, Majewski has yet to happen and these Russian billionnaires are keeping us waiting. And what's going to happen with Kev? And what about the other comings and goings?

By the time I get back from my hols I expect that I'll be needing to catch up on all the new signings and to find out who Albion's new owners are.

Or maybe not...

Okay, how many of you panicked, wondering if this involved Mandaric? Don't worry, I wouldn't do that to you.

More about Milan (Baros) in a bit.

In the meantime, a quick scan of the news wires led me to a poll which has been run on a popular Albion message board.

The question on Wbafansonline (http://fansonline.net/westbromwichalbion/article.php?id=257) was quite simple - Do you want Jeremy Peace to stay? Or do you want new investors to take over?

Four hundred and seventy fans voted and the results were stacked against the Baggies chairman.

Just under two thirds would prefer new investors (65.5 per cent) with the rest wanting to keep the current chairman.

It certainly makes for interesting reading, as will the outcome of the Albion survey which we ran in Monday's Birmingham Mail (should be about a fortnight).

While there are certainly those who prefer the devil-you-know, there are clearly many who wish to see a change - a bold statement, given that nobody yet knows who (if anyone) that 'investor' would be, where the money would come from, how much there would be or the manner in which it would be used.

On another note, I feel like banging my head against a brick wall every time I see the name Milan Baros linked with a £5million move to Albion.

Tony Mowbray has made it very clear that he's unlikely to spend that amount of money on one player. His wages would be astronomical - way, way out of the club's reach - and he doesn't not fit the typical profile of player that the Albion boss is looking for.

Just to be sure, I put the question of Baros to an Albion contact a week or so ago.

I'll leave you with the response.

"Chris, there's more chance of you playing for us..."

You may well be wondering.

Arthur Duffy, sports editor of the Derry Journal, told me a little more about the winger who has been causing a stir in the Eircom League.

"Ask any supporter of any club on who the best, most exciting player in the League is and they'll probably all say Paddy McCourt," said Arthur. "He really is a special talent."

Tony Mowbray is no stranger to McCourt - he tried to sign him for Hibs back in 2005, only for the player to reject a move to Scotland.

Yet it seems Albion have picked up someone special - £75,000 now, followed by the same amount after 10 Premier League appearances with a friendly against Derry City thrown in - who could create a huge impression in the Black Country.

By all accounts McCourt is most at ease when he's running the ball, gliding past defenders, teasing opponents and using his pace to devastating effect.

With long flowing hair, a beard, a dishevelled look and the ability to excite fans, McCourt clearly belongs in the 1970s.

Off the field he's a character. One colleague tells me how McCourt got pictured with a pint glass, looking a little worse for wear and propping up a bar in a 'nights out' section of the local newspaper. Nothing wrong with that you might think...except the snap was taken on a Friday night before a Saturday game.

That, I should point out, was many years ago, when he was still a teenager. By all accounts he's calmed his ways since, which in some ways is disappointing (not that I'd ever encourage anyone to break pre-match curfews you understand).

Football needs characters and personalities, even if football managers don't.

Whether or not Tony Mowbray will come to regard McCourt as a big hitter in his Premier League plans remains to be seen. Clearly Albion have a huge talent in their ranks. Yet there is a strong possibility McCourt may need to bide his time and wait for his chance.

Perhaps he will be used as an 'impact substitute'?

We shall see.

One thing's for sure - you get the feeling we're going to be hearing a lot about this particular 24-year-old in the coming months.

Has a fairly nice ring to it don't you think?

About nine years ago, while working for another publication, I wrote a fairly long and rambling comment piece bemoaning the fact that one of Albion's Greatest No 9s had never been honoured.

This, I argued, was not just because of his 112 goals in 302 games for Albion during a wonderful seven year period. Or even because he scored 205 goals in 741 over a career spanning 19 years. Or because he'd managed to play for four West Midlands' clubs with distinction, winning an FA Cup with one and collecting five England caps along the way.

Nor was it because honours were handed out to all sorts - 'entertainer' Jimmy Tarbuck, girl's barber Nicky Clarke, Steven Gerrard (presumably for services to Liverpool, rather than England), be-quiffed snooker player Terry Griffiths and Zara Phillips (for being the Queen's granddaughter perhaps?). Surely his time should have come by now.

There were many reasons.

Since then he has prompted one of my colleagues to consider naming his son after him, until the wife compromised and agreed to use 'Cyrille' as the middle name instead.

You see, Cyrille was much more than a footballer. To a legion of footballers growing up in the late 1970s and early 80s he was the inspiration, the role model.

Clyde Best came before him. Others followed. Viv Anderson was an unglamourous right-back, as was Cyrille's team-mate Batson. Cunningham was a genius but, by all accounts, a shy character away from the field. John Barnes was yet to emerge. And Garth Crooks...well, he was busy perfecting his uncanny ability to bore managers to tears in the time it takes to ask one pompous question.

Cyrille was an explosive centre-forward. Kids wanted to be him, fathers were proud he played for their club. When bullets were being sent to him through the post from racists, he was inspired to score goals. When fans threw bananas at him from the pitch, he tried that extra bit harder. When fools at Upton Park or Goodison made ape noises at him, he'd make them look like monkeys by scoring the winning goal. He didn't need to fight or talk back. He had his football.

Read a Q and A with Dion Dublin or Ian Wright, to name but two. Q. Who was your boyhood hero? Answer, Cyrille Regis.

Ex-managers speak highly about him, former team-mates remain mates with him and defenders are probably pleased he retired.

Off the field he's a gentleman and a friend. He was one of the first non-family members to ask about my daughter when she was born and, on one occasion, agreed to rearrange his entire evening to meet up, just so he could sign a book for my wife's grandfather, an avid Coventry fan. It was no trouble.

And his name still carries a great deal of weight in the game. He's a successful agent and refers to Albion as 'we' or 'my club'. In truth, Albion and Coventry fans have always 'honoured' him in their own way for his services to their clubs. He remains well thought of everywhere he's played.

Cyrille celebrated his 50th birthday this year - 30 of those were devoted to football.

He should have had his date with the Queen a long, long time ago.

Finally he will. For services to football.

Congratulations.

Went down to Albion's training ground yesterday for a 45 minute chat-cum-interview with Albion chairman Jeremy Peace and two of his boardroom colleagues.

There was no shortage of discussion. His decision to open the door to potential investors - you've got until July 31, so no hanging around - the shirt sponsorship situation (your's for about £750k), Kevin Phillips' contract situation, the Halfords Lane stand, looking ahead to the Premier League and the recruitment of players during the summer.

There were some interesting comments along the way.

But it was perhaps the subject of Tony Mowbray which prompted Peace to become animated.

It's clear the Albion chairman holds his manager in high regard. There were some things Peace wished to tell us off the record about their relationship, which simply underlined the feel-good factor at the club.

Mowbray, I guess, is Peace's ideal kind of manager. Mowbray is a footballing man, who does 'family and football'. He's polite, courteous and, once he knows a face and a name, he addresses you with that familiarity and friendliness which makes you feel welcome and at ease. It's easy to see why Peace has few problems getting on with him. The players like him as a coach and as a person. There are no 'megastars' causing a stink and no embittered old pros hanging around moaning when they're not in the team.

Crucially Mowbray is not a political animal. Ask Tony Mowbray about a player's injury and you'll get an answer about the player's injury. That wasn't always the case with other managers in the past. You'd be amazed how a journalist's question about a player's groin strain can quickly escalate into a manager's rant against his chairman...

I got the feeling yesterday that Peace feels lucky to have Mowbray. In his six years at the club, during which time he's had plenty of highs and lows, I don't think I've ever seen the Baggies chairman looking so chilled or enthused. (Perhaps he knows something we don't about a potential investor - although I did make a note of looking out for any black Volgas with Russian plates in the TG car park...)

One thing was clear. If we are to assume that Peace will still be chairman come August 1, then Albion fans will at least go into this season knowing that they have a chairman and manager who, while perhaps not always agreeing on all matters, are at least driving in the same direction towards the same goal.

TWENTY four hours have passed since that statement - what do you make of it?

One thing is clear, the more and more people I speak to, the more I am hearing that there may be a different reason for this statement.

So while you trip over the names of Russian billionnaires and tycoons let me put a conspiracy theory to you.

Firstly we know that in the next AGM, to be held sometime in November, Peace would have been in a position to consolidate more shares, strengthening his own position and making the club more attractive to potential investors on the basis of having fewer 'scattergun' shareholders around the club.

I'm no financial expert but even I know now is not necessarily a prime time to be seeking a return on his investment.

Equally where will you find these so-called Money Men? Reading the Birmingham Mail? Reading this blog? Logging onto Albion's official club website? Or in Peace's tried and tested environment - that being the city of London or lurking somewhere in or around the financial sector's grapevine?

Let me play Devil's Advocate here - could the Albion chairman merely be priming supporters for a low spending summer?

Tony Mowbray has already said he'll be sprinkling 'magic dust' over his side and working on a budget. There won't be much money around.

One could never accuse Peace of being unwilling to spend when necessary or getting value for money but perhaps that Premier League war chest is more conservative than we thought?

We know Albion chairman can be sensitive to criticism. And fingers will be pointed at someone if next season doesn't go to plan. Is this a case of Peace merely putting up the sandbags in readiness for a possible deluge?

It's certainly a theory.

One thing is clear - Peace WILL sell at some stage, but maybe not just yet.

So Jeremy Peace is looking for new investment - but what impact on the club?

It can be interpreted in one of a few ways. Firstly, by inviting new investment, Peace is effectively touting his own shares for sale. If someone offers a good price then he will go. That much we know to be a basic, logical theory of business.

That, however, is potentially a major hurdle. Despite the low value of last season's share value I suspect that Peace's valuation of the club will be somewhat higher.

We don't know.

But what of Albion's future?

Albion fans may be rubbing their hands at the prospect of an Abramovich or Briatore pitching up at B71 with a truck load of blank cheques and used fivers. So let's hold onto that dream for a moment.

New players arriving, facilities being improved, more games being won, Premier League stability being achieved and maybe even more. One day Albion may not need to worry about losing their top players to the Wigans and Fulhams of this world. One day they may be able to cherry-pick the best players from other established Premier League clubs. The salary ceiling may be torn down, the wage bill will rise and not stop. Big names will come to B71 at the peak of their careers, rather than for a final payday or as youngsters. Manchester City had the likes of Dickov and Vassell at their club in recent years. Next season it could be Ronaldinho and Jo. That's the dream.

But what of reality?

The Baggies have been an attractive proposition for some time. Whether you agree or not with Peace's prudent approach (and you'll find many arguements for and against), the fact that Albion keep in the black makes them a viable option for investors.

They are ideally placed - in the heart of country, just five minutes of a major motorway network and within sight of England's second city. A modern stadium, a proud and successful brand and the Kudos of Premier League football. What more could an investor want?

Good question.

Because since 2005 there has been little movement to suggest anyone would be interesting in throwing their own funds into the Albion kitty. However, small shareholder Roger Dickens, a major player at the NEC and West Bromwich Building Society, was one such man. Backed by a personal fortune of £40million and a regular in the Sunday Times Rich List, the Albion fan headed a consortium of wealthy shareholders with a view to testing the water. It never happened. He died early 2006. As the main money man of the group, the consortium had no choice but to end its interest. We'll never know if their consortium would have been ignored, forced Peace's hand or merely opened up opportunities for others.

Since then...nothing.

How about foreign investment?

Is it really all its cracked up to be? Think about it - for every Abramovich or Briatore, you get a Mandaric or Hicks. Ask Roman Bednar how Vladimir Romanov is perceived by Heart of Midlothian fans, former coaching staff or ex players. Look at other clubs who have suffered following takeovers or buy-outs.

Then there are the Glazers, who, we're led to believe, have offset their debt onto Manchester United. What happens if these investors become bored somewhere along the way? After all, not many clubs can win silverware. There are only three domestic trophies to play for - these impatient billionnaires may get bored of being sat somewhere near the middle reaches of the Premier League. A Pagani Zonda supercar is all very nice to show off as a boy's toy but not if you keep getting stuck in traffic.

What happens if the new investors and potential owners wish to bring in their own manager? Where does that leave Tony Mowbray? Jeremy Peace has reduced season ticket prices - will the next man do so if he is expected to bankroll a spending spree? I reckon not.

Villa have seemingly got lucky with Randy Lerner, a man who has effectively charmed the clubs' supporters and has a positive working relationship with manager Martin O'Neill. But look at Blues - a board who no longer wish to be there, with supporter apathy growing with each season.

All ifs and buts. Investment may not happen. It might change the club forever. Right now we don't know - that's for another day. As is an evalution of Peace's role as chairman. After all, this doesn't mean he is going anywhere just yet. Where would Peace fit into this potential restructure? Again, a question for another day.

Equally, how does it affect spending for this season? That's one of the questions I'll be putting to the Albion chairman.

By all means Albion fans should get excited about what could be the first seeds of a bright new future for the club. But I also urge caution.

Sometimes you are better off sticking with the chairman you know. You never know what the next man's motives will be...

Here's one for you - which three former Albion players will you find at Euro 2008?

If you watched carefully, you'll have seen all three at some stage during the opening three days.

Come on now, this one's easy...

Here's a choice for you - Everton, Portsmouth, Bolton or Fulham?

What would you choose?

Zoltan Gera has gone for Fulham.

I was as shocked as most people will be when I heard the news yesterday tea-time.

Portsmouth and Everton could offer him Uefa Cup football and in Pompey's case the opportunity of regular first-team football - Utaka is their only recognised wide man.

So why Fulham?

Footballing wise it's a strange call. Fulham barely survived last year and there have been suggestions that Al-Fayed was growing weary of seeing his investment making little progress and was considering selling-up. Was it the lure of London? Having lived there for many years I can't imagine why anyone would want to live there but each to their own.

Which leaves money.

Let's look at it from Gera's point of view. At 29-years-old it'll be the last major contract he'll sign in the Premier League. It will set-up him for life financially. What's more you can guarantee there will be a rather hefty signing on fee waiting for him.

You can't blame an employee for leaving one job for a better paid job elsewhere.

For Albion it's a bitter blow losing a player to a club who finished in the position the Baggies will be seeking to finish in themselves.

Will they replace him? I've heard great things about Do-Heon Kim and we all know James Morrison can play there. And then there's Albion's pursuit of Radoslaw Majewski and Paddy McCourt to consider. Not to mention young Dorrans, although the Premier League may be too soon for him. How about Taarabt? Throw in a certain Teixeira returning around October time. Actually Albion aren't that badly stocked, even with the personnel they have now.

At least Albion will finally get closure. The moment Gera signs on that dotted line - sometime next week when Fulham have completed their management reshuffle - will be the point Albion can properly start preparing for next season.

All this talk of Mark Hughes going to Manchester City or Chelsea takes me back to a time when he could have become Albion boss.

It was around autumn 2003. Albion were back in the Championship (as it's called now) and some people at the club were unconvinced that Gary Megson could take them back to the Premier League and, perhaps more importantly, keep them there.

Hughes was then boss of Wales. And you'd be amazed how close he really came to quitting his national post and pitching up at The Hawthorns.

It could have happened. It was certainly considered at the time. The interest was mutual by all accounts.

On the park, results were mixed. Megson's side lost to Sheffield United, were booed off the pitch despite beating Norwich, yet swept aside Rotherham and Newcastle in a memorable League Cup game at St James's Park.

Even so, Megson's position was shakier than it seemed.

The defining moment came at Upton Park on November 8, 2003. Albion were trailing 3-0 after 18 minutes. It was around the 20 minute mark when Jermain Defoe, scorer of the first, missed an absolute sitter to make it four. He fired a shot straight at Russell Hoult.

Three nil it was. Until the 25th minute when Rob Hulse pulled one back for Albion. He got a second five minutes before half-time, before a Brian Deane own-goal levelled matters.

Lee Hughes grabbed the winner 13 minutes from time.

I didn't know at the time but not long afterwards I was told that Megson would have been sacked had Albion lost emphatically in east London. Albion's admiration for Hughes would almost certainly have been followed up.

As it happens Albion completed the greatest comeback in their modern history, went onto win promotion under Megson and Mark Hughes went onto Blackburn.

Just over a year to the day after that win at West Ham, Bryan Robson was named as Megson's successor.

How would Albion have fared under Hughes? We'll never know...