[pieandabovril]

Seems like I'm one of the few West Brom people who contribute.  I didn't realise Baggies attracted such international support!

I was born in WB and lived there, close to the old town centre, until I married in '66.  Since then I've lived in the Dudley area.  Growing up, my family and friends were all Baggies and the Club was etched into my my brain from my first consciousness, I feel.  My father talked of them continually as I grew up.  Oh, how he loved that '31 team that won FA Cup and promotion in the same season.

Both my schools were near WB town centre but the secondary school's sports field now lies under the M5, by the motorway roundabout that bears the stone archway on the Brummie road, a couple of hundred yards from The Shrine.  I've played a lot of football close to the Hawthorns, unfortunately only once on it!

I walk my daughter's dog most weekdays in Sandwell Valley which stretches up to within a Tony Brown shot of the ground.

Albion till I die.

Could have written that myself Bomber,almost identical upbringing! Only difference now is that I walk the dog in Sutton Park,not Sandwell Valley,so I have obviously gone up in the world!!!!