Charlton v West Brom: FA Cup brings family memories for Slaven Bilic

The Albion boss’ first experience of the competition was the fallout as West Ham lost a third round Upton Park replay against minnows Wrexham of Division Two, writes Lewis Cox.

Bilic missed the away tie at The Racecourse Ground. The Croatian’s son, Leo, turns 23 today. He was born on Saturday, January 4, 1997.

In fact, Bilic’s son was born at the exact moment West Ham managed to salvage a replay on a miserable afternoon at their lowly hosts.

The Baggies chief said: “I didn’t play the first one on the fourth of January 1997 – that’s a good memory! Because my son was born.

“Harry (Redknapp) spared me that one. We drew 1-1. I remember Hugo Porfirio, the Portuguese guy, scored around the 42nd minute at 15:42 and Leo was born at 15:42.”

Bilic made the replay three weeks later but that went disastrously for the Irons. So badly, indeed, that Bilic and skipper Julian Dicks – now Albion first-team coach – went out into the rage-fuelled night to calm Hammers fans.

“We lost the replay at home. We were all over them but got no goal, we were in a bad spell, and then as it usually goes they scored a cracker from 25 yards,” Bilic added.

“I remember after the game there were police on horses at Upton Park. It wasn’t funny. Me and Julian went to talk to them and calm the fans.

“It wasn’t against players, more against the board to spend money.

“With Everton we lost to Newcastle. Then it was the last game for them before my retirement, basically, in the Cup at Bristol City.

“We won but it was my last game. I was taking pills to play but I couldn’t anymore.”

In management, Bilic masterminded West Ham to a quarter-final in 2016 – where he says they were ‘robbed’ in defeat to Manchester United.

Albion, who are without injury absentees Kieran Gibbs and Grady Diangana, are likely to make wholesale changes for tomorrow’s trip to The Valley.

The 2.01pm kick-off is the first of two meetings between Charlton and the Baggies in six days in south east London.