The Throstle Club

During this month of Remembrance we feature our WWI hero Harold Bache and the graveyard of West Bromwich old church which has links with WBA.

We recall trips to Fiorentina and Valencia and share in the memories of life long supporters Sylvia Collins, Ken Lord and Rex Edwards, who remember Bobby Charlton.

West Bromwich Albion fan Harry Taylor remembers the official opening of the floodlights at The Hawthorns in October 1957.

Bob Downing remembers Ian Hamilton and an interview with Ian recalling the fabulous 1992- 1993 promotion campaign.

Ken Lord remembers Bobby Charlton

Eighty-eight year old Albion fan Ken Lord remembers Bobby Charlton

John Thomas, 'Johnny T from Wednesbury' talks about his links with West Bromwich Albion including the day he scored a hat trick!

This is a programme produced by Black Country Radio Xtra and presented by Norman Bartlam and Bob Downing.
It looks back on the long and proud history of West Bromwich Albion featuring interviews with former players and reminiscences from supporters of the club.

The main interviews are with former player John Thomas, 'Johnny T from Wednesbury', and Wayne Fereday. We also have memories of Ian Hamilton; the opening of the floodlights in 1957 and Jim Sanders, former WBA goalkeeper. Supporter Mark 'Snarka' Whitehouse reads some of his Albion odes and poems.

Running time 57 minutes.

This programme was first broadcast on Black Country Radio and is also available on the Black Country Xtra On Demand service and all programmes are available on Spotify.

This is a programme produced by Black Country Radio Xtra and presented by Norman Bartlam and Bob Downing.
It looks back on the long and proud history of West Bromwich Albion featuring interviews with former players and reminiscences from supporters of the club.

The main interviews are with former Express & Star journalist David Instone, former player Wayne Fereday and Albion match day announcer Matt James.

Running time 57 minutes.

This programme was first broadcast on Black Country Radio and is also available on the Black Country Xtra On Demand service and all programmes are available on Spotify.

The Throstle Club is a programme produced by Black Country Radio Xtra and presented by Norman Bartlam and Bob Downing. 
It is a monthly programme which looks back on the long and proud history of West Bromwich Albion featuring interviews with former players and reminiscences from supporters of the club.

The main interview is with former goalkeeper Jim Cumbes and the studio guest is Albion statto Steve Carr, who explains that Albion were formed in 1878 and not 1879, as was believed at the time of the centenary game in August 1979! You’ll also hear contributions from Lyndon Hughes, Laurie Rampling, Alan Maull and Colin McKenzie.

Running time 57 minutes.

Thanks to Black Country Radio man Billy Spakemon and Sam Downing for technical support and photos.

This programme was first broadcast on Black Country Radio and is also available on the Black Country Xtra On Demand service.

The Throstle Club is a programme produced by Black Country Radio Xtra and presented by Norman Bartlam and Bob Downing. It is a monthly programme which looks back on the long and proud history of West Bromwich Albion featuring interviews with former players and reminiscences from supporters of the club.

The studio guest is well known Baggies man John Homer.

The key interview is with former Albion player Lyndon Hughes. He talks about his early playing days as a lad in Smethwick and about his astonishing recovery from having a kidney removed - which could have ended his career in the early 1970s.

Following the recent Malta v England game, we have a feature on Albion players who also played for clubs in Malta, including a look at a Floriana, a club that won the Maltese League under the inspired leadership of former Baggies man George Shaw. Special thanks go to Kenny Roberts of the Floriana media team and Maltese Albion fan Conrad Chircop of Look Back in Albion facebook page.

Comradeship amongst lifelong Albion fans is a common thing, and this is exemplified by a dedicated group who have been to Fuengirola in Spain in memory of former Albion supporters; Richie Brentnall and Geoff Waters.

This hour-long programme was first broadcast on Black Country Radio and is also available on the Black Country Xtra On Demand service.

Programme 2 produced in June 2023 looks at key events from June in days gone by including mentions for Ronnie Allen; Ron Ashman; Dr John Evans and Colin Suggett.

The studio guest is early 1990s player Gary Hackett who went on to have a great managerial role at Stourbridge. There is also an interview with 1968 F A Cup winner Dennis Clarke.

This hour-long programme was first broadcast on Black Country Radio and is also available on the Black Country Xtra On Demand service.