The day West Brom took on a Soviet army – and won

It was a showcase game, the first under floodlights against a foreign team at the Hawthorns. It was played on Tuesday, October 29, 1957 and attracted a crowd of over 50,000. "Fans from Bilston, Coseley, Wednesbury and elsewhere streamed into the Hawthorns," said one report.

Despite continuous rain which made conditions difficult, those fans were treated to an 11-goal thriller, and had the satisfaction of seeing Albion run out 6-5 victors to complete a double victory over the Soviets, as they had beaten them 4-2 in the close season during a Russian tour, becoming the first British professional team to win a game in the Soviet Union. That game behind the Iron Curtain had begun with the players exchanging bouquets of flowers.

The Star's reporter at the floodlit game was obviously caught up in the occasion and was in a generous mood, praising the "model display of refereeing" by Mr K Schipper, from Holland. It must have helped that he awarded Albion two penalties, the second one so dubious that the crowd shouted for Ronnie Allen to put it wide, which he duly did – not something you see in the modern game, although this was a friendly.

"An interesting point was the manner in which the Soviet Army players made accurate passes on the volley when the ball came to them from clearances. It was also pleasant to see Albion using the pass down the middle so much. This suited Kevan, with whom the Russian defenders just could not cope," the match report observed.

Derek Kevan scored twice and among other Albion scorers that night were Bobby Robson, later the England manager, and Don Howe, who would work under him as England's coach.

The Albion team who won before 53,805 fans were: Sanders, Howe, Setters, Dudley, Kennedy, Barlow, Griffin, Robson, Allen, Kevan, and Horobin.

Generally the 1950s were golden years for the Baggies.

The 1953-54 Albion team was hailed "The Team of the Century" by one national reporter who went so far as to suggest that all the players should represent England at the 1954 World Cup finals.

Later that year Albion became one of the Football League pioneers of European football, playing in "Le Soir Festival de Football," in Brussels.

In the next season Ronnie Allen was the leading Division One goal scorer with 27 league goals.

The Albion remained one of the top English sides, reaching the semi-final of the 1957 FA Cup, being beaten by Aston Villa in the replay at St Andrew's after the sides had drawn at Molineux.