Albion's forgotten hero

In my seven years covering Albion I've seen two managers leave and many players depart, with others arriving.

Some I've been glad to see the back of, some I was sorry to see leave. Some I am in touch with, others I'd cross the road to avoid.

Yet one man's recent departure will leave a huge void.

You may not even know of him unless you read his programme notes or have met him.

Reverend Ken Hipkiss was Albion's Chaplain. This meant a bit more than singing 'The Lord's My Shepherd' in the centre circle.

Ken was an occasional fixture at the training ground and a regular at matches. Most of the time you didn't know he was there. That, in many ways, was the whole point. You weren't meant to.

Yet he was a crucial servant to the club, from a spiritual and emotional point of view.

Players live in an era of fat salaries, fast cars and glamourous lifestyles. Yet the need for pastoral care should never be underestimated.

It might be a player being sent off or suffering a major injury. Once that player leaves the pitch he is put to the back of our subconscious mind. The other players get on with the game, the coaching staff are busy making tactical decisions, the fans keep supporting the team, the media continue to report on the game. One man has other concerns.

While the match continues, he will be shuffling out of his seat in the stand to venture down into the tunnel to lend an ear or offer a little comfort. Perhaps it will be welcome, perhaps not - at least the players concerned have that reassuring option. While life goes on for the rest of us, one man is busy making sure the player is okay. While you're celebrating a goal you'll be oblivious to this. While I file 800 words I won't even give it another thought.

Yet it's one man's job. By job, I mean his voluntary sense of duty. He doesn't even get paid for it.

I have witnessed, or know of, players who have been affected by a range of issues. Some have had major personal problems, some have endured marital or family issues, others have had health or emotional concerns which no amount of money or fan adulation can remedy. Some have had to deal with tragedies or traumas you or I would simply not be able to comprehend.

Ninety per cent of these remain filed away, out of view. It's the things we don't see. It's the issues we don't know about.

Yet, in all those times, one man has been there for those players regardless of their religious beliefs or otherwise.

While the players may be heroes to the fans, he has often been a 'welcome' hero to the players.

Not any more.

Ken Hipkiss' services are no longer being required by Albion - shamefully, with no real explanation being given - and that represents a shift away from the core of the club's community.

It's difficult to see the reasoning behind this decision or what good will possibly come out of it.

Ken's departure will be a big, big loss to the club.