Stadium and off-field improvements West Brom fans could see as they prepare for Hawthorns return

Ryan Mason has been working with his players since his arrival at The Hawthorns - as Albion look to improve on their previous Championship campaign.

New signings have arrived alongside a new manager - as Albion kick off their season with a home clash against Blackburn Rovers on August 9.

Fans have been able to watch their side on two occasions during pre-season - against Blackpool and Lincoln.

But in their final pre-season outing on Saturday against Rayo Vallecano - fans will make a return to the Hawthorns for the first time since last season.

And they may just see a few changes compared to their previous visit.

'A continuous plan'

Over the course of the summer, fans who have gone past The Hawthorns and made a trip to the ground to go to the club shop and buy a new shirt, will have seen improvements to the ground.

There has been an external paint job undertaken on the outside of the ground to freshen up the tired looking exterior. The club's owners have reportedly made a significant investment to undertake this work - and owner Shilen Patel confirmed the works in his open letter to fans last month.

While the parts of his open letter that would have been honed in on by fans relate to the first team, Mason and PSR - he gave hints as to what fans may expect to see when they return to The Hawthorns.

Patel outlined how the club have been undertaking improvements to the concourse as well as updating the fan zone. The fan zone was re-opened in recent years, with fans calling for more facilities in the area before the game.

Saturday could see the first supporters take to the safe standing area since the works over the summer. It is unclear which stands will be open in the ground, as the friendly will no doubt attract a reduced capacity.

But the following week those new installations will certainly be used by supporters.

Patel also explained they had been working to improve the ticketing systems, and undertaken an update of the hospitality experience in the Millichip Suite.

Beyond that, he gave some outline information on how there are plans to make the ground a destination for supporters and the public beyond matchdays - as well as explained the club's 'retail footprint' off site.

Previously Albion did have a club shop in the Merry Hill shopping centre.

In that lengthy June statement, Patel summed up by saying: "These mark just a step in a continuous plan to refine experience and facilities for the long-term goal of bringing Baggies fans closer to the club.

"It is an honour and a privilege to be a steward of this great club’s legacy, and it is important to understand that all of the best parts of our past - from the inception of professional football to the peak moments of our modern era - were made possible by those who focused on the club’s future.  

"We will continue to reflect, evolve, and build to ensure that West Bromwich Albion has a future worthy of its great history. Thank you for your continued passion and your belief."