Albion fans 'blocked' Sir Jack Hayward memorial banner from Baggies game - claim
A West Bromwich Albion banner in honour of Sir Jack Hayward never appeared at a match due to pressure from some die-hard Baggies fans, it was claimed today.
The poster read 'R.I.P Sir Jack - The Black Country Unites' and featured the badges of both arch rivals Albion and Wolves.
Kitman Pat Frost posted the image on Twitter on Saturday - saying he was taking it to the Everton match on Monday night - and it was warmly received across the board, with hundreds of retweets and a mention on Talk Sport.
However, the banner never made the trip to Merseyside. And it was said today that criticism from some Albion fans led to the decision.
Mr Frost would not be drawn on the matter further but comments and opinions were all over social media.
The Wolves Forum tweeted: "Quite sad that the West Brom lad who made the Sir Jack banner won't be taking it after getting too much abuse from Baggies fans."
Albion supporter Nat Mansell suggested the addition of the Wolves badge was too much for some Baggies die-hards, tweeting: "On banner-gate, IMO an RIP Sir Jack banner would have been sufficient to show respect & class, rather than Wolves badge and "the BC unites" (sic).
And Twitter user @DaveSsays wrote: "RIP Sir Jack Hayward, but that banner going in with the Albion fans at Everton with the Wolves badge on is a *bit* much...turn it in #WBA"
Alan Cleverley, secretary of the Albion's official supporters' club, said it was a shame it did not make an appearance.
"If we were going to take it then I wish it would have gone up. It would have been a nice way of showing respect," he said.
Dudley Council leader and Wolves fan Peter Lowe said it was important to focus on the original intention behind the gesture.
He said: "I did see the banner on Facebook and it would be a shame if that was the case but we need to concentrate on the message behind it.
"It is another example of football fans putting their loyalties to one side for people of a rival club who have lost one of their own.
"Hopefully we have shown in the past we can work together while at the same time having a bit of friendly banter and mickey-taking regarding our teams."
Life president of Wolves, Sir Jack Hayward died a week ago aged 91 after a short illness.
