IN PICTURES: Baggies stars delight pupils on Albion Foundation visit

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Baggies stars delighted pupils at an Oldbury primary school this week during a visit with the club's charity foundation.more

Much has changed at Albion since 1991, and not just on the pitch.

As the Baggies were tumbling into the Third Division, the Albion Foundation was in its infancy.

Now, a quarter of a century on, the club are firmly established in the Premier League, while the foundation employs more than 100 staff and has as many volunteers, all working towards the goal of providing sporting and educational opportunities to some of the most disadvantaged members of the community.

This week, as the charity marks its 25th anniversary, has provided director Rob Lake with a chance to look back and reflect.

"It is massive for us, a celebration of 25 years and is such a long time," he said.

"We have grown from one person back in 1991, when the club was probably at its lowest ebb.

"The journey the club and the foundation has gone on in that time is huge. We are in a position where the club is established in the Premier League and the foundation is, I believe, one of the best in the country.

"We are going out and delivering some really important work in some of the most deprived areas of the community.

"We just want to celebrate that. I personally want to celebrate my staff because they are the ones who are the most important."

A big focus has been placed on disability sport, while the foundation has a presence in many local schools.

Yesterday, Saido Berahino, Jonny Evans and Salomon Rondon were among a host of players who visited Oldbury's Moat Farm Primary School to take part in afternoon of activities which included football and even Spanish lessons.

"The players are the icing on the cake," said Lake. "We are very fortunate, these guys are amazing. Days like Tuesday you can't over-estimate,

"The coach of our year six football team has Jonny Evans, Rickie Lambert and Saido Berahino helping out with training. That has put a smile on her face for the next week. The players, when they come, can re-iterate the messages because the kids listen to them. Our staff are role models for the kids too.

"They look to them because they wear the badge.

"The players coming in and adding to it is great."

Defender Evans, who was able to show off his goalkeeping skills during a game of five-a-side, is appreciative of the foundation's work.

"It was really enjoyable," he said. "We had a little five-a-side tournament. It's great, especially for the kids. They were very enthusiastic. I was in nets so we ended up losing!"

Events this week include the Baggies Bike Challenge, a 180-mile charity cycle from Norwich City's Carrow Road ground to The Hawthorns, with former striker Bob Taylor and 'Blind Dave' Heeley among the participants.

That will be followed by a half-time salute to the foundation during Saturday's game with the Canaries. The future, Lake believes meanwhile, is bright.

"I think the key is that we do more concentrated work," he said.

"Can we take a person from 'A' to 'B' on their journey? We want to celebrate those young people.

"There's also working with the club around developing the fanbase, to ensure we're getting young people to support the club.

"We want them to feel part of a community club."