West Bromwich Albion v Wolves, 21st April 1979

Highlights of the First Division derby between West Bromwich Albion and Wolves at The Hawthorns on 21st April 1979.
John Barnwell was appointed Wolves manager in November 1978 following a dismal run of 11 defeats in 14 matches that led to the dismissal of Sammy Chung. It was the beginning of a brief successful period for Wolves; the slide towards relegation from the First Division was ultimately reversed late in the season and, in addition, Wolves appeared in two FA Cup semi-finals during Barnwell's tenure (both defeats) and won the League Cup on 15th March 1980.
A prime reason for the alarming run of results at the start of the 1978-79 season was due to the absence of striker John Richards who underwent an operation on his right knee in October 1978. Prior to that, Richards had appeared just twice earlier in the season, but his return to the team brought instant rewards for John Barnwell with the winning goal away to Arsenal on 24th February 1979. There followed a further 8 goals in 16 games for Richards as Wolves finally pulled clear of relegation for good with a 2-1 win at Chelsea on 24th March 1979, with another all-important goal scored by Richards.
The Wolves line-up for the match against Albion had a familiar look to it with Richards, Kenny Hibbitt, Geoff Palmer, Derek Parkin, John McAlle and Steve Daley - all players that figured prominently in Wolves teams from earlier in the decade. Added to that were more recent introductions; George Berry and Martin Patching were both products of the Wolves youth team of the mid-1970s whilst Billy Rafferty, Peter Daniel and goalkeeper Paul Bradshaw were signed by Sammy Chung. Daniel and Bradshaw, in particular, served Wolves admirably during their time at Wolves and were, along with Berry, key members of Barnwell's League Cup winning team.
In contrast to Wolves, Albion were at the opposite end of the First Division in second position behind Liverpool. Under Ron Atkinson, in his first full season as manager at The Hawthorns, the likes of Bryan Robson and the 'Three Degrees' of Brendon Batson, Cyrille Regis and the late Laurie Cunningham helped Albion to a third placed finish in the league and a UEFA Cup quarter-final appearance.
Originally broadcast by ATV Star Soccer with commentary provided by Hugh Johns.

[@kevinjackson6387]

Just 17 was at this match I’m 61 now only seems like yesterday. Mad

[@michaeligoe3935]

My favourite ever Albion line-up ........ and our best season.

[@paultaylor7082]

Woollyback John Richards (from Warrington) was always my favourite Wolves player, one of the quickest forwards of the time...

[@1061andy]

forty years ago....still great rivals today.

[@wellington-yh8rc]

Star Soccer with Hugh Johns commentary class .

[@jerryoshea3116]

Well said👍.Always enjoyed listening to him&never understood why u never heard more of him..Economical,less is more..unlike the f##king bs u hear now..

[@Brutusgold76]

He had the biggest hands in football....😉

[@AdamGoodman4U]

@@Brutusgold76 "HUGE ONDS" yeah right

[@klnine]

Great wolves side I’m a baggie fan

[@matthewcoombs3282]

another home point dropped....I think they run Liverpool close that season.....but just fell short. I first started watching football in this season and was always excited to see highlights of West Brom and Regis and Cunnigham were favorite players even though my own team was Chelsea....happy memories.

[@scherben8870]

Nobody ran Liverpool close that season - because they were just too good.

[@davidmichaels8934]

Matthew Coombs, yes the Artic winter did the Baggies that season, they did not play if I recall after the beat Bristol City 3-0 on New Year's Day, until late February at Liverpool, when they went down 2-1,but Liverpool kept playing and had not to many games postponed, so they were in better condition than the Albion.

[@davidmichaels8934]

@@scherben8870 oh yes they did! The Baggies were top until the very bad weather in the West Midlands closed down football there, but the weather in Merseyside was OK, and there were no games postponed, so they caught up with the Albion and kept the rhythm going, very unlucky for WBA.

[@scherben8870]

@@davidmichaels8934 Wrong. Liverpool played zero league games between their win at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, and their home game with West Brom on the 3rd February. During that period they played three cup matches and one friendly. In the same period of time (After 26-12-78 but before 3-2-79) Albion played _three_ league matches (United, Bristol City and Norwich), two cup ties and one friendly. Further, Liverpool were clearly superior to Albion when the two teams did meet at Anfield. Never mind what Ron Atkinson says; the man's got plenty of excuses as to why he never won the league at any club. www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Games/20 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978%E2%80%9379_West_Bromwich_Albion_F.C._season

[@michaelschenker1955]

Great to see the beloved Laurie Cunningham, he played here in Madrid, Real and Rayo were his clubs.

[@suffern63]

No sabía que jugó con Rayo

[@stuartwilliams7912]

Yes and sad to think that him and Big Cyrille Regis are no longer with us.

[@anthonybebbington1073]

This was the season i went to every game. Cant afford it now sadly. Waw

[@colinwestwood921]

Mmmm. Disappointed result especially after the Baggies won 3-0 at the custard bowl in December. We finally finished 3rd behind Nottingham Forrest and Liverpool. ....BOING 🙌 BOING. ...

[@Seansaighdeoir]

Frightening when you can look at a 41 year old football match and know all the players as if they are still playing...

[@seltaeb3302]

Now, they have no identity. They look the same, bags of money, who cares. Football has died⚰️.

[@mikewest1542]

Thats true , i knew all the players , well most from the top tier ( 1st division) teams , football has definitely lost its way and soul!

[@womba68]

that would be the day frank worthington scored his famous goal.

[@janmikolajczyk5587]

We had a brilliant side then my big brother is a wolves fan but I was allways Albion

[@brettthompson5585]

My first derby

[@mikedavies9953]

I was gutted when City sold Barnes and Owen to WBA 2 cracking players in there prime, Malcolm Allison wanted all his own players and tore apart a very good City team at the time

[@seltaeb3302]

The Refs & Linesmen still look the same as in 1909! Still we must thank them, as without them chaos. And they took a lot of abuse trying to get it right. Most players would make a utter balls of it. They should try it & then see.

[@derekpugh6819]

Went to this game. John Richards goal was class. Jammy Robson goal. Should have won this.

[@anthonybebbington1073]

Me too , richards a legend. Waw

[@Darwinion]

Players like Cyrille Regis here, Eddie Gray and Jimmy Johnstone used to play with their socks rolled down and no shin pads. I know it was a different game then, but like WTF?!

[@stuartwilliams7912]

The commentator from Dawley with the big hands "Huge 'onds" get it yeah?

[@davidmichaels8934]

scherben, well you certainly have access to that period, I am going from memory, I am surprised that Liverpool did not play as much, because on the Wirral peninsula snow and ice are not as present as in the cold West Midlands, the only thing I can say, is that Liverpool under Bob Paisley kept their form better than the Albion, after the lay-off, so that is why they won the First Division in 1979.

[@jerryoshea3116]

Better football then,more passion&those players cared about the "Shirt"they were wearing(and so they should)it should always be seen as a privilege to end up playing&making a living as a Pro Football player..

[@marknewbold2583]

It wasn't better

[@jerryoshea3116]

@@marknewbold2583 incorrect!! Phony corporate BS.."Reality.Tv Football"

[@Tzeikmalaka]

Albion goal was scrappy but wolves goal was class

[@colinwestwood921]

Get a life you sad dingle. ...😂🙌

[@virtuafighter3]

Wolves had played in a semi-final of the FA cup not long before this.

[@colinwestwood921]

Lost as well. ...😂😂🙌

[@philipcurnow7990]

Wolves are in the black shorts!

[@stanmonzon5788]

Show the South Bank dammit that’s what we are here for

[@marknewbold2583]

Steve Daley the first million pound English player

[@peterterry8996]

Trevor Francis actually signed by clough.

[@markyboythewolf]

7 mins.........shhh

[@SM-co3bv]

I think this was the day 50 Wolves fans put up a Wolves flag in the Brummy road end. They were marched out by West Midlands finest. I think it was also the day that the Black Country sold out of Bananas and sadly the Wolves fans covered a third of the pitch, singing racial abuse about Cyril Regis. Thankfully times have moved on.

[@stevecourt9244]

Was in the brummie road that day Wwfc

[@section5760]

They tried but never succeeded I was there. Most of them got some kickings and the others ran behind the coppers. Skinheads. Remember the Albion fans singing you never take the brummi. My first darby. God bless those who were there most of us from that era have gone may they rest in ✌️.

[@SM-co3bv]

@@section5760 The Wolves fans who were in the Brummy, r'd were marched back to the Wolves end by the police. They were walking normally and I didn't see any injuries. When the Wolves fans put the flag up in the Brummy red a huge gap appeared around them. Then the police got them out, not West Brom.

[@SM-co3bv]

@@section5760 The Wolves fans who were in the Brummy, r'd were marched back to the Wolves end by the police. They were walking normally and I didn't see any injuries. When the Wolves fans put the flag up in the Brummy red a huge gap appeared around them. Then the police got them out, not West Brom.

[@davidworthington8760]

@@SM-co3bv Remember it well. I was stood in the Smethwick End and as soon as the Wolves team came out (away side out first in those days), all hell broke out in the left hand corner .... fists and beer flying ...... then they were hailed as heroes as they walked down the Halfords Lane touchline by Plod.