28-05-2015, 20:10
Continuing the previews...
![[Image: 155137002_bullidibumm_1_Nhgg_K2309.jpg]](http://s27.postimg.org/dff6wdrg3/155137002_bullidibumm_1_Nhgg_K2309.jpg)
Chronologically the first of our summer friendlies, just under six weeks away as I write this, a warm-up against Red Bull Salzburg will be the centrepiece of a week-long training camp in Austria. Hopefully Josh will be around closer to the date to give us the lowdown on each Salzburg player's statistics, their favourite flavour of ice cream and the name of their first pet. In the meantime, I'll quickly summarise all I know about the club which sold its soul for a few cans of pop and gave us Somen Tchoyi (those events are unconnected, as far as I'm aware). Having wrapped up the Austrian Bundesliga league title for the second consecutive season, and sixth time in the decade since they were given multi-million-pound wings, they have every reason to be happy with coach Adolf Hutter (yes, that really is his name, and yes, if you get it wrong after a few pints you're liable to provoke a major international incident). Unsurprisingly, since takeover Salzburg have wholeheartedly embraced all things crimson and bovine, changing their kit to the requisite soft drink logo and even creating a new mascot with the frankly disturbing name of Bullidibumm. Furthermore, their youth supporters club - and I promise I'm not making this up - is now named "Bullidikidz". So, if you're not averse to having your kidz (or your bumm) bullied, and you're capable of not mentioning the war, Austria should be a cracking holiday for the whole family. Who do you think you're kidding, Mr Hutter?
![[Image: article_2016053_0_D0_F7_E8_D00000578_896_634x386.jpg]](http://s1.postimg.org/4exki49nz/article_2016053_0_D0_F7_E8_D00000578_896_634x386.jpg)
Information on this far-flung, exotic club is hard to come by. Managed by a "Dean Smith", their current squad of players features a host of unfamiliar names such as Paul Downing, Sam Mantom, Adam Chambers, James Chambers and Romaine Sawyers; though I hear Somen Tchoyi is also now on their radar. Of course, we've played Walsall in recent friendlies too, such as the occasion in 2012 when they achieved the unparalleled feat of making Yassine El Ghanassy look like a decent player. Having appeared at Wembley in March, it goes without saying that playing Albion will be the real icing on the cake for Walsall this year.
And yes, they probably will go and beat us.
![[Image: farmer_pitchfork_17156053.jpg]](http://s4.postimg.org/kb3y6uob1/farmer_pitchfork_17156053.jpg)
Anyone who remembers Twerton Park in 1991, and the needless gloating of Bristol Rovers from both terraces and tannoy as Albion were relegated - will have traced the decline of the Gas in recent years with more than a little pleasure. Elephants have got nothing on Baggies fans when it comes to recalling long-gone slights. However, it seems that after a season sampling the delights of non-league, Rovers are back again, and we're paying them a visit - thankfully not at the long-vacated Twerton Park - as part of a testimonial for their physio Phil Kite. As it stands, this will be our final friendly of the summer before the Premier League season commences on the 8th of August, and it's not too far to travel for a hopefully-pleasant July evening.
But for the love of God, leave the togas at home.
List of Confirmed Friendly Fixtures (Part Two)
Wednesday, 8th July: [Venue TBC]
Red Bull Salzburg
Chronologically the first of our summer friendlies, just under six weeks away as I write this, a warm-up against Red Bull Salzburg will be the centrepiece of a week-long training camp in Austria. Hopefully Josh will be around closer to the date to give us the lowdown on each Salzburg player's statistics, their favourite flavour of ice cream and the name of their first pet. In the meantime, I'll quickly summarise all I know about the club which sold its soul for a few cans of pop and gave us Somen Tchoyi (those events are unconnected, as far as I'm aware). Having wrapped up the Austrian Bundesliga league title for the second consecutive season, and sixth time in the decade since they were given multi-million-pound wings, they have every reason to be happy with coach Adolf Hutter (yes, that really is his name, and yes, if you get it wrong after a few pints you're liable to provoke a major international incident). Unsurprisingly, since takeover Salzburg have wholeheartedly embraced all things crimson and bovine, changing their kit to the requisite soft drink logo and even creating a new mascot with the frankly disturbing name of Bullidibumm. Furthermore, their youth supporters club - and I promise I'm not making this up - is now named "Bullidikidz". So, if you're not averse to having your kidz (or your bumm) bullied, and you're capable of not mentioning the war, Austria should be a cracking holiday for the whole family. Who do you think you're kidding, Mr Hutter?
Tuesday, 28th July: The Banks's Stadium
Walsall
Information on this far-flung, exotic club is hard to come by. Managed by a "Dean Smith", their current squad of players features a host of unfamiliar names such as Paul Downing, Sam Mantom, Adam Chambers, James Chambers and Romaine Sawyers; though I hear Somen Tchoyi is also now on their radar. Of course, we've played Walsall in recent friendlies too, such as the occasion in 2012 when they achieved the unparalleled feat of making Yassine El Ghanassy look like a decent player. Having appeared at Wembley in March, it goes without saying that playing Albion will be the real icing on the cake for Walsall this year.
And yes, they probably will go and beat us.
Friday, 31st July: The Memorial Stadium
Bristol Rovers
Anyone who remembers Twerton Park in 1991, and the needless gloating of Bristol Rovers from both terraces and tannoy as Albion were relegated - will have traced the decline of the Gas in recent years with more than a little pleasure. Elephants have got nothing on Baggies fans when it comes to recalling long-gone slights. However, it seems that after a season sampling the delights of non-league, Rovers are back again, and we're paying them a visit - thankfully not at the long-vacated Twerton Park - as part of a testimonial for their physio Phil Kite. As it stands, this will be our final friendly of the summer before the Premier League season commences on the 8th of August, and it's not too far to travel for a hopefully-pleasant July evening.
But for the love of God, leave the togas at home.
Classic Match
Bristol Rovers 1-5 West Bromwich Albion
FA Cup Quarter Final: 9th March 2008
Our last trip to see the Pirates was, unlike previous visits, thankfully not a long walk off a short plank. Big Ish proved the difference in a deceptively close match, and sent us to Wembley in the process. I forget what happened after that, and can only presume we lifted the cup as was clearly our destiny that season.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley