Albion’s FA Cup heroes of 1968 were reunited again last night at a dinner to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their Wembley victory.
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s celebrations below AND find out what the greats from that Albion Cup day are doing now on the last page!
Former players joined supporters in a night of nostalgia to remember the Cup run that ended with a famous 1-0 victory over Everton courtesy of Jeff Astle’s extra-time winner.
Current manager Tony Mowbray and skipper Jonathan Greening attended the event at The Hawthorns along with club directors as well as ex-Baggies stars Ally Robertson and Brendon Batson.
There was also a moment’s silence to remember the squad members who have passed away - John Osborne, Jeff Astle and manager Alan Ashman.
Record goalscorer Tony ‘Bomber’ Brown recalled how a stroke of fortune in the third round tie at Colchester had saved Albion from an early exit.
“Right at the death Colchester scored and we thought we were out, John Talbut picked the ball up and kicked it out of the ground in disgust,” he said.
“For some reason, and I still don’t know why, the referee disallowed it and we got away with it. We had a bit of luck but that’s what you need to win competitions.”
And the fifth round win at Portsmouth also provided lasting memories.
Brown added: “I remember their manager saying ‘if West Brom won the Cup he would eat his hat’. We all wanted to send a hat each to this manager at Portsmouth but Alan said no!”
Skipper Graham Williams added: “John Talbut came through and clattered a guy and put him in the stand.
“Suddenly the community policeman has run to him and started hitting him - and this is the guy that’s supposed to be stopping fights!”
The night was organised by the former Players’ Association and the team of ‘68 were presented with a commemorative bowl by Lady Barbara Millichip, wife of the late Albion president Sir Bert Millichip.
Ian Collard, who lined up in midfield against Everton with Tony Brown and Bobby Hope, said: “It’s been the highlight of my year.
“I have been looking forward to seeing Clive Clark for years and years. I didn’t think he would recognise me and he did and I was thrilled to bits.”
Hope added: “It’s great to see all the lads again. I see one or two at golf days but last night was a bit special.
“We still have the same banter as we used to have in the dressing room, it shows how much spirit we had.
“To see all the supporters as well and how we are still appreciated is very good.” Dennis Clarke, who was the first FA Cup final substitute, added: “It was exactly what I expected. It was always a very close-knit team between youngsters and mature players and that was the success of the team.
“The fact Clive Clark was there was a fantastic boost and I wish him and West Brom every success.”
John Kaye added: “It was a fantastic turnout and it’s great to see all the ex-players again.”
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11 Comments
my dad is in the background of this photo…and i am in the bottom right corner, though you can only see a bit of my shoulder.
was a great night in the presence of some great players!
Bobby Hope and The Bomber, my two favourite Baggies. This was really interesting to see how these guys are doing. Feel a bit guilty now thinking of the songs about Clive Clark. He doesn’t look a well man and I wish him all the best.
My memory gets worse as the years go by. Can somebody tell me about John Osborne?
The name is ringing bells, but I forget what he did or achieved.
SOME GREAT OLD ALBION STARS OF 68.IT WAS A PLEASURE TO WATCH THEM PLAY IN THE 60’s.
I WOULD BUY ANY OF THEM A PINT.THANKS FOR EVERYTHING LADS.YOU ARE BLOODY TERRIFIC BUNCH OF PLAYERS THE ALBION EVER HAD.
Truly great to see and read about that great 68 team. They are all legends! Me it takes me back, that season I was 13yrs old and went to evry game home and away, even the 3-1 league cup defeat at Reading. The club issued vouchers for the colchester game, so you had a voucher you got a final ticket! My dad God bless found out I had got cane for going to Southampton for the replay and missed school, when I got my ticket for the Liverpool, maine road game he took the envelope off me and said I was’nt going! I snatched envelope took ticket out, forgetting voucher and threw it on fire. Got ticket for semi but missed that one game the final! Never mind we won and that team of the middle to late 60’s always been in my heart!!!!
3 - John Osbourne was Albions briliant, but excentric keeper.
He was known as the bionic man - i think he had a plastic knuckle fitted.
I remember him standing in goal in front of the BRE in the pouring rain - and getting a brolly from a fan behind him and standing in goal under it.
I also seem to remember him having a fag off a fan and smoking it in goal - i think he may have got booked for that.
Finally, he once refereed a game i played in as a school boy - a great honour for a young baggie fan. I got his autograph then and still have it to this day.
Lovely bloke, and we are unlikely to see his type again !!
3) John Osbourne or Ossie as we knew him was the Keeper in the ‘68 final, and also played in the team that got us promoted in 1976. Was in the 1970 League Cup Final too. Was possessor of a “Bionic” knuckle due to Arthritis (I think)and was an outstanding keeper.
Also virtually single handedly won us the “Quizball” programme on BBC 1.
I remember him nicking a fag from someone in the crowd at Notts County and sneakyly smoking it while the game went on. When County attacked, he wedged it in the net and picked it up again when we had the ball. They definately don’t make em like him any more. Great personality.
1)Baggie Bird - I can’t believe you didn’t get in any of the photo’s.
What a great night!!!
can you tell me where John Wile would be now. His name is not mmentioned anywhere
John Osbourne was pure entertainment have seen him make great saves then just turn to crowd and say dont no how i done that had eyes shut bit to close to the post to look,also a toilet roll was thrown onto the pitch but did not unravel so just picked it up said not got much left at home put it in the back of the net and took it off with him at the end a great character
i cant believe the club presented rose bowls to the players but didnt have one for the families of john osbourne, jeff astle and manager alan ashman. the official reply was the gift was for the surviving players not their families. well albion remember the scoreboard everton 0 albion 1 ossie kept the clean sheet and astle put the goal in, unlkie you we will never forget them. it is a disgrace.