Punjabi Supporters' Club to launch at the Vaisakhi Mela
WELCOME to Apna Albion – a new branch of the Baggies fans’ family ready to take up residence at The Hawthorns.
The Club will be officially launching the group, specifically aimed at but not exclusively confined to, the region’s huge Punjabi community on Sunday when we will be on site at the Vaisakhi Mela in Handsworth Park.
That celebratory Sikh festival provides the perfect backdrop for the launch of our latest fans group – “Apna” means “Our” in Punjabi and that says everything about the philosophy behind the new group.
Gurdial Singh, Engagement Officer with the Albion Foundation, has recruited a group of season-ticket holders and recruitment volunteers who will be with us at the Mela.
“The interest and support from the Punjabi community has always been there but they have never had their own association to work with before,” says Gurdial.
“This will change that. Going forward, Apna Albion will give the Punjabi Albion fans a base with which to engage officially with the Club, promote ideas, get involved in charitable fundraising and offer their help engaging with this part of the Albion community.
“Albion is a welcoming and family-friendly Club and that sits perfectly with the Sikh and Punjabi people. We are really excited to have this opportunity to give them an official platform just like all the other fans groups.”
It is estimated that as many as 100,000 will flood through Handsworth Park on Sunday where there will also be an opportunity for the youngsters to grab the attention of our Academy scouts.
We will be taking our “Beat the Baggies” skills challenge on the road in which boys and girls get the chance to complete a skills course that could lead to training and trials with the Club.
Meanwhile anyone interested in getting involved with Apna Albion can contact Gurdial by email at gurdial.singh@albionfoundation.co.uk or call her on 0871 271 9840.