West Brom farewell to 'unsung hero' Brian Whitehouse
Tributes have been paid to former Albion player and coach Brian Whitehouse, who has died aged 81.
Whitehouse, who made 46 appearances for the Baggies during the 1950s, is regarded as something of an unsung hero at The Hawthorns for his work as a coach two decades later.
It was Whitehouse who handed a first-team debut to Bryan Robson during a three-game spell as caretaker boss following Don Howe's sacking in 1975. He remained on the coaching staff during the reigns of Johnny Giles and Ron Atkinson before following the latter to Manchester United.
"Brian was never the top dog but he was always there in the background and he helped bring a lot of young players through," said Ally Robertson, who was also restored to the first-team during Whitehouse's caretaker spell.
"There were several of us who benefited from his guidance and he was an unsung hero in many senses. He was a lovely bloke too."
Whitehouse, a striker, netted 17 goals for the Baggies including two in the 1957 FA Cup semi-final against Villa.
But with Ronnie Allen, Ray Barlow and Bobby Robson also on the club's books, opportunities were always limited and he left The Hawthorns in 1960, joining Norwich City, his career later taking in stops at Wrexham, Crystal Palace, Charlton and Leyton Orient.
His coaching career began at Arsenal, where he led the Gunners youngsters to victory in the 1971 FA Youth Cup, while assisting Howe who was taking the first-team to a league and cup double. When Howe later moved to Albion, Whitehouse followed.
A statement on the Albion Former Players' Association website said:
"We have lost a friend, supporter and much more a very nice and warm gentleman. Your presence will be greatly missed."
