[BaggieMan]

When I was knee high to a grasshopper my father and his brother took me to see the Baggies play at The Hawthorns I guess sometime in the 1950's.

They were both born in West Bromwich and my Grandfather, although born in Handsworth in a one-up one-down back to back terrace off the Soho Hill, he lived all his married life in West Bromwich. They were all keen West Brom supporters so, although I have never lived anywhere near the ground, I guess it gets in your blood.

Albeit I live in the North Staffordshire Moorlands with an on average 90mins M6 drive which isn't always pleasant, my season ticket is one of my treasured possessions and long may it continue to be so.

How did you become a Baggie?

[WBA-Josh]

When I was at child, I had no real interest in football until I was about 7 years old which is when I started playing football as a goalkeeper. My Father and his Father told me all about West Brom, who they both had always supported, and I became a young Baggie. 16 years on and me and Father are still WBA through and through. My Grandfather was up until his death in 2001.

I currently live in Hayle, Cornwall with my parents so I don't get chance to go to the matches anymore. The last WBA match that me and my Father saw live in The Hawthorns was the final pre-season friendly before the 2011/2012 season started. I cannot remember who that match was against though.

[silverbaggie]

Back in 1959 I was still a reluctant Blues supporter; a team that was too good for the old Division 2 but, never quite good enough for Division 1 so they regularly yo-yo'd between the two divisions. Does that ring a bell?

Anyway a mate of mine from work was a supporter of the Albion and he tried repeatedly to get me converted to supporting the Baggies. Alan said that I would see more good football in one game at the Hawthorns than I would in a 'month of Sundays' at St Andrews. (Probably true as there was no Sunday pro football way back then.)
Eventually, probably just to shut him up, I agreed to go to a game. It was the 3rd Round of the FA Cup in 1960 and we were at home to Plymouth Argyle.

Well it was exciting but for the wrong reasons. Despite a strong First Division team which included Ronnie Allen and Derek Kevan, Albion only just scraped through 3-2 against Plymouth who were at that time playing in the old Division 3 South.

They almost made a real hash of it and, on and off over the last 50 odd years, they've been making a hash of it ever since.

Still, I don't regret changing my allegiance after seeing some great moments in the 60's and 70's.

And who'd want to support a Man U or Chelsea when you can experience all of the emotions from pride and joy to depression all in one season. Sometimes both extremes during the same 90 minutes.

COYB

[tidy]

If I told you, you wouldn't believe me as it involves name-dropping.

[HarryJAllstarWBA]

If I told you, you wouldn't believe me as it involves name-dropping.

Go on tidy you tease

[Dingle-Dingle]

Growing up in Dudley. My Fathers family were Wolverhampton side. Used to alternate 1 week at the custard bowl. Next week at the Shrine. Around 10 yrs old the call of the blue and white became so strong that I became a Baggie. Still used to go to the custard bowl on alternate weeks though. DD

[BaggieMan]

Hence the name no doubt - Dingle-Dingle !

The only other team I ever watched regularly (not sure if I should dare say this !) was when my old mate, Peter Fox, was playing in goal for Sjoke City !!!  Over 400 1st team games. Still supported the Baggies mind and cheered for them when they played at Sjoke even when my mate was between the sticks.

Other trouble is, although I took my son to The Hawthorns a couple of times, living up here in North Staffs, the local team is Sjoke and with all his mates being Sjokie's when he was growing up at school, sad to say he became a Sjokie himself. Good for banter though !

[struth]

Beefy made me

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

My old man was a Walsall fan, and took me to an Albion vs Walsall friendly at Fellows Park to convert me into a Saddlers fan. That plan backfired somewhat

[pieandabovril]

Its not so much how did I become a Baggie,more to do with How the Hell did I stay a Baggie? When you think of the highs and the very lows we have all been through over the years,not to mention the money spent,I should have taken up bowls! Much better for the health and I would have been a millionaire by now!

However,my Dad always said "You support your local Team Son",and in fairness,he was right!