Wile: Johnny Giles is my best Albion boss

Wile was axed from the starting line-up a month into Giles' reign.

But the iconic defender was recalled just a game later and went on to play a key role as Giles oversaw promotion to the First Division.

Wile said: "We all knew about John because we'd played against him enough and his reputation went before him.

"We all knew he was a great player but things didn't start very well and it got worse for me when he left me out, which was the first time I'd been dropped at Albion.

"I told him 'If you're leaving me out, you'd better leave yourself out. You're playing as poorly as me.'

"But he told me he had to make these decisions and the next game was a League Cup tie in midweek and I was back in. I started playing better, John started playing better and the team started playing better .

"After that we got on great and John was the best I played for.

"Ron Atkinson and Alan Ashman were great to play for as well, but John was the best because he was just so fantastic at getting the absolute best from every player.

"We played some great football under Ron and he probably gave us a bit more flair, but the team was ready for that then.

"We had that foundation and that was down to Don Howe – who never gets any credit – and mainly to John, who was fantastic."