Baggies player Chris Brunt, Lyndsey Gavin and Albion manager Tony Mowbray with, back, Jamie Roberts, of the Princes Trust, Keifer Swanson and Colin Molloy

Two young Baggies fans have become the first ever recipients of a bravery award from the football club after they helped catch a vicious thug and bring him to justice.

Rowley Regis teenagers Lyndsey Gavin and Keifer Swanson, both 17, witnessed an attack on a woman last April and spoke as witnesses in the trial of Mark Ashmore, aged 43, of Siviters Lane, in October.

But on the day of the trial Keifer was forced to cancel a visit to his favourite football club, which had been organised as part of his Prince’s Trust Team course, so he could give his evidence. Because of the missed opportunity to meet his heroes, the club teamed up with the Colin Molloy of the Crown Prosecution Service to organise the award.

They were awarded commendation certificates by Albion manager Tony Mowbray at the club’s training ground yesterday.

Manager Mowbray said: “These two were very brave and it’s brilliant to see two young people doing such a good deed for the community.”

Keifer said he was thrilled to meet the team but said he had no regrets about leaping into action.