Express & Star

Darren Moore will take safety advice before deciding on lap of appreciation at The Hawthorns

Darren Moore will take advice at full-time before deciding whether to take his Albion players on a lap of appreciation around The Hawthorns this weekend.

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Chris Brunt and Kieran Gibbs clap the away fans at Newcastle last week. (AMA)

It is traditional at the final home game of the season for the team to take their families to all corners of the stadium to thank the fans for supporting them.

However, Albion are heading down to the Championship after a dreadful campaign that has only recently picked up under caretaker boss Moore.

He intends to gauge the atmosphere inside the stadium after tomorrow’s match with Tottenham and will speak to operations manager Mark Miles at full-time.

Moore is hoping his messages of ‘family’, ‘togetherness’, and ‘unity’ will allow the team to show their appreciation at full-time but he also understands there could be safety issues.

Some players would like to take their children onto the pitch and thank the fans for supporting them this season.

It may also be the last time fans see well-liked senior professionals like James Morrison, Claudio Yacob and Gareth McAuley – who are all out of contract in the summer.

A more modest option of the players gathering in the middle of the pitch to clap the fans will also be considered.

“We'll see how the game goes and how the day goes,” said Moore. “I'm sure the stadium manager will have a chat with me at the end of the game.

“I've spoken about family, strength and unity. I think we'd all agree we've seen that, we're expecting no different for the last home game of the season.

“I'll be advised by the stadium manager and the experts on that come the final whistle. It would purely be for safety reasons on the day (if we do or don’t).

“At the same time we have seen a real unity in the football club over the weeks, I expect the same atmosphere, feelings, togetherness to be shown again come Saturday.”

Some Albion players, like Jonny Evans and Gareth Barry, have received boos in recent weeks following their involvement in the Barcelona incident.

But Moore said the decision to do it or not will be up to him and Miles, rather than any players.

“I speak on behalf of all the players, if the stadium manager decides it is the right or wrong thing to do, it will be led by everybody within the club,” he said. “There won't be anybody (else) saying yes or no.

“Thus far everybody has been together with us. All we are asking for is a continuity of that unity we have shown. Up until now it has been great.

“Whatever happens, one thing I can say up here is that the supporters know how I feel about this club.

“Whether there is a message at the end of it or not, we've shown the affection we have for this club.

“Come the end of it we'll see, if it's the right thing to do, great. If for safety reasons it's not, I’ll be explained that by the stadium manager.”