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“The best player I ever played with” | Albion legends set to return for Johnny Giles tribute

Gala Dinner 2024 graphic.

The Albion Foundation will welcome a host of Albion legends to pay tribute to their former manager and teammate Johnny Giles in a Gala Dinner. 

Tony ‘Bomber’ Brown, Len Cantello, Paddy Mulligan, John Wile, Joe Mayo, Ray Wilson and Ally Robertson will all be welcomed back to the Shrine on December 12, along with Giles himself.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, tenacious midfielder Giles moved to the Black Country to become the Albion's player-manager following a successful spell at Leeds United.

Under his stewardship during his initial reign, the Baggies were promoted from the old Second Division in April of 1976 after being hotly tipped for relegation that same season. Giles’ promotion would spur a new era for Albion, although he’d departed, he set the club up for a decade-long stay in the top flight.

Giles returned in 1984 with priorities streamlined purely into his management job and in his typical fashion, steered Albion to safety and saw a positive start to the following season.

The Irishman has plenty of fond memories at The Hawthorns and looks forward to sharing some of them on December 12.

“I enjoyed my first spell where I was playing,” Giles said. “They used to say, ‘you can’t influence the lads when they’re out on the pitch’, and luckily enough I was able to play with them. I loved playing with them all.

“I don’t get together with the lads very often and I seldom come to the matches, but I’ll always be delighted to see them all. For the two years when I first came it was a pleasure to play with them. They’re all keeping well so I’m looking forward to seeing them.

“It’ll be a big night, we’re expecting a big crowd. It’s always lovely to see the West Bromwich Albion supporters. I’m really looking forward to December 12.”

Tony 'Bomber' Brown, Johnny Giles, John Wile and Ally Robertson.
Tony 'Bomber' Brown, Johnny Giles, John Wile and Ally Robertson.

During his stay at the Baggies, also Giles orchestrated a golden age of Albion talent.

‘Bomber’ Brown played some of his best years under Giles on the way to becoming Albion’s record goal scorer and appearance maker, with both records remaining intact to this day. 

“He had a tremendous influence on me when he first came,” ‘Bomber’ said. “At that time my confidence was at a very low ebb. Johnny got me playing again, got me that confidence back. It just went one way after that, we played in a terrific side.

“He was a great player and a great manager. He’s the best player I ever played with I would say. he club was struggling and Johnny came, in that short space of time he got us promoted back to the big time. I wonder where we’d have been if he hadn’t done.”

Like Brown, centre-back Robertson also played with and under Giles during his 500+ appearances for the Baggies.

“For me he was the best manager I ever had,” Robertson said. I’d been out the team, and I never missed a game when John was the manager. He was brilliant to play for and a brilliant manager. The whole club changed completely, it was at the bottom and then we got promotion to the old First Division.

“It’ll be fantastic to hear some of the stories he’s got because he’s brilliant.”

Born in County Durham, Robertson’s defensive partner John Wile joined Albion from Peterborough in 1970, and spent plenty of his 500+ appearances under the stewardship of Giles.

“He had a huge influence on me and everyone,” Wile said. “He made me a better player, he made the team a better team. He came to us as a renowned midfielder, one of the best midfielders in the country, in the world in fact.

“It was a privilege to play with him, to play for him, and to make Albion a much better team.”

Gala Dinner 2024 graphic.
Join The Albion Foundation for our Gala Dinner.

Join us in The Hawthorns' Richardson Suite for a three-course dinner, where Johnny will be joined by stars from his time at the Albion and to discuss his career as part of a Q & A session. 

Make sure to grab your tickets now, to ensure you don’t miss out on what will be a fantastic evening with the Johnny Giles and his special guests.

Secure your individual £60 seat by clicking the link below. Tables of 10 can be purchased for £550.

Secure your seat at Gala Dinner

Doors for the event will open at 6:30pm, and the evening will begin at 7:30pm.

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