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26-05-2007, 17:10
Tills at West Bromwich Albion’s club shop haven’t stopped ringing since the Baggies made the Championship play-off final by beating their rivals Wolves.
Within hours of the final whistle, a delivery of customised Wembley flags in the club’s familiar blue and white colours were being unpacked at The Hawthorns.
These were followed by lorry loads more of play-off merchandise.
And Black Country pubs are bracing themselves for a rush of Baggies fans who want to cheer on their team.
Thousands of Albion fans will miss out on seeing the play-off final as the club has been given 33,000 seats - little over a third of the stadium’s capacity.
The club shop, in the club’s East Stand, has been inundated with thousands of fans, especially during the past three days, as people visit the ground to pick up their Wembley tickets.
The shop has opened at least an hour early all week, and even at 7am on Tuesday when the tickets were first up for collection.
The most popular lines have proved to be the £6 flags, which bear the Baggies’ famous Boing-Boing goal celebration, and the £3 horns.
The club has restocked several times over but has now sold out of certain sizes in some of its clothing.
Shop manager Teresa Howells said: “As well as the special play-off items, the new away strip has been flying off the shelves. Everyone’s exhausted but the atmosphere is great.”
Supporters who did not manage to get Wembley tickets can see the action on big screens and televisions at pubs and bars.
The Marksman pub in West Bromwich High Street will have several television screens showing the match.
Manager Michelle Cooper said staff were looking forward to a good atmosphere.
The Gospel Oak in Bilston Road, Tipton, will be screening the game on several screens. The George Inn, Wednesbury, will have four screens showing the match.
By Marion Brennan
More... (http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/2007/05/26/shop-rush-for-final/)
Within hours of the final whistle, a delivery of customised Wembley flags in the club’s familiar blue and white colours were being unpacked at The Hawthorns.
These were followed by lorry loads more of play-off merchandise.
And Black Country pubs are bracing themselves for a rush of Baggies fans who want to cheer on their team.
Thousands of Albion fans will miss out on seeing the play-off final as the club has been given 33,000 seats - little over a third of the stadium’s capacity.
The club shop, in the club’s East Stand, has been inundated with thousands of fans, especially during the past three days, as people visit the ground to pick up their Wembley tickets.
The shop has opened at least an hour early all week, and even at 7am on Tuesday when the tickets were first up for collection.
The most popular lines have proved to be the £6 flags, which bear the Baggies’ famous Boing-Boing goal celebration, and the £3 horns.
The club has restocked several times over but has now sold out of certain sizes in some of its clothing.
Shop manager Teresa Howells said: “As well as the special play-off items, the new away strip has been flying off the shelves. Everyone’s exhausted but the atmosphere is great.”
Supporters who did not manage to get Wembley tickets can see the action on big screens and televisions at pubs and bars.
The Marksman pub in West Bromwich High Street will have several television screens showing the match.
Manager Michelle Cooper said staff were looking forward to a good atmosphere.
The Gospel Oak in Bilston Road, Tipton, will be screening the game on several screens. The George Inn, Wednesbury, will have four screens showing the match.
By Marion Brennan
More... (http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/2007/05/26/shop-rush-for-final/)
