Fans boinging with delight at Albion open day

Around 90 members of the West Bromwich Albion Disabled Supporters Club, the Albion Foundation and their families headed to The Hawthorns for the 12th open day.

Training was taken by head coach Pepe Mel as the players were put through their paces on the Hawthorns pitch in a change from their usual Great Barr venue.

Started during Gary Megson's reign, the day offers disabled supporters the chance to meet the squad before presenting their player of the year award, as voted for by members.

After the training session, midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu was named player of the year by the club's disabled supporters.

James Day, aged 18 and from Brook Road in Portobello, Wolverhampton, and his father Barry, 48, have been members of the club since they became season ticket holders around five years ago.

Barry said: "We come here every year and have a great time."

James, whose favourite is Stephane Sessegnon, added: "I love meeting the players."

The Disabled Supporters Club, which has around 35 members, has been in existence for around 17 years after being founded by three fans whose views in the Birmingham Road stand would sometimes become blocked by television cameras.

One of those men, wheelchair user Stephen Brettle, aged 52 and from Knaresdale Close in Stourbridge, said: "The world was totally different then, and football and disability has completely transformed since.

Primarily now, if anyone has any issues with the Albion we are a voice for them.

"When they were redeveloping the East Stand, the chairman invited us along, we looked at the plans, and they changed some of the toilets and the viewing areas."

Mr Brettle is also a member of national group Level Playing Field, a charity which promotes good access for disabled fans.

Fellow WBA Disabled Supporters Club committee member Phil Roberts, from Friar Park Road in Wednesbury, joined several years after it was founded.

Sixty-year-old Mr Roberts, who lost his sight in 1987, attends matches while listening to commentary on the radio, or from his son Andy, a fellow season ticket holder.

He said: "The club's main event is today, because it's difficult for most of our members in wheelchairs to get out in the evening, so we don't tend to have many events."

Tracy Lawson, 47 and from Kingsway in Essington, was at the event with husband Martin, 55, and daughter Sarah, 23, who all have season tickets in the Birmingham Road end. She said the supporters club has been particularly helpful whenever they have had any issues.