As we prepare for our final league fixture, I would like to thank Albion fans wholeheartedly for their unwavering support this season. Even after 20 years at The Hawthorns, your loyal backing of the club never ceases to amaze me. You will have all done this in your own ways – but I shall not forget the dedicated followings at Middlesbrough two days before Christmas or at Plymouth on a Tuesday night in February. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
The campaign began with some well-documented, off-field challenges, and approaches its conclusion with a bright new dawn now upon us. Everyone associated with the club has played a part in that transition and it is that collective togetherness that stands out when I reflect on a difficult period in this club’s history.
Whatever challenges await us in the future, we have already evidenced our ability to overcome adversity with pride, passion, and commitment. This football club is greater than the sum of its parts and, with our supporters behind us, we know we can go toe-to-toe with all comers.
Our Chairman Shilen Patel has quickly established himself as a caring custodian, who will undoubtedly do all he can to drive excellence on and off the pitch at The Hawthorns. From my first meeting with Shilen, I knew he was right for Albion, and we were right for him. He will, I know, continue to lead the club in a manner that will be of benefit to everyone who cares deeply for it.
In Carlos Corberán, we have a head coach who also believes in this club. He has helped unify the Albion family in testing circumstances and the players also deserve enormous credit for their role in what has been an impressive season on the pitch. Together they have remained focused on their responsibilities, bringing positivity to the club when it needed it most.
Siobhan Hodgetts-Still has continued to develop our women’s team in her maiden year as a head coach, already improving on last season’s points total ahead of their final game, against Newcastle United at The Valley Stadium, Redditch, on Sunday. I know we will continue to go from strength-to-strength under Shev’s stewardship and I am excited by what the future holds for the women’s team.
To win EFL Championship Community Club of the Season speaks volumes and furthers my view that The Albion Foundation is the best charity of its kind in the country. ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley has long been a proud ambassador for the foundation, and I was delighted to be present, alongside Shilen Patel, when he won Supporter of the Season at the recent EFL awards. Dave knows a thing or two about facing adversity head on and is an example to us all. He will be cycling the Western Front for the foundation later this year and I implore you all to get behind him in whatever way you can. The foundation’s director, Rob Lake, also deserves enormous credit for his leadership of the charity this season. It is important to note that he is walking to the Preston game blindfolded from Wembley – not only to raise money for the foundation – but also to highlight the challenges faced by ‘Blind Dave’ and all who live with a visual impairment.
I would like to thank every member of the club’s staff for their tireless hard work and commitment to Albion this season. We must remember the understandable concerns they will have had when the storm clouds were gathering over The Hawthorns earlier this season and there were the moments when I too shared those worries. It is credit to our staff that we have progressed from the challenges facing the club at the start of the season to the opportunity that stands before us now.
It is important to note the story of our season is not yet written. I believe in Carlos, I believe in our players, and I believe that you as fans can help us overcome any challenge on any stage. Now it is time for a big collective push – to end one of the club’s most challenging seasons off the pitch, together and on a high on it.
