'Friendly rivalry': Black Country derby divides loyalties at Kingswinford firm

Divided loyalties will be on show at a Kingswinford business this weekend as the Black Country derby returns to league action.

Staff at JJX Logistics will be split down the middle when Wolverhampton Wanderers take on West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, with two members of the team supporting Wolves and another two backing the Baggies.

Jack Jones, John Joseph Donovan, Alfie Kelly and Edward Martin may usually work alongside each other, but bragging rights will be at stake when the two Black Country rivals meet.

Sunday's fixture will be the first league meeting between Wolves and Albion in more than five years, adding extra anticipation to the return of one of the region's biggest football rivalries.

And the build-up has already given staff at the Kingswinford-based logistics company an excuse for some friendly football banter.

The four colleagues will be wearing different colours on matchday before being reunited at work – where the result is likely to determine who has the last laugh.

A JJX Logistics spokesman said: "Two Wolves fans, two Albion fans, but one team at work.

"There's always plenty of friendly rivalry between them, so having Wolves and Albion back in the same league has certainly given everyone something to talk about.

"Whatever happens on Sunday, we're sure the result will still be being discussed when everyone comes back into work."

The company said its Black Country roots meant the return of the derby to the league calendar was particularly welcome, with staff and supporters across the area looking forward to the latest meeting between the old rivals.