West Brom legends lifts spirits with phone calls to elderly fans

Iconic greats including Brendon Batson, Ally Robertson, Graham Williams, Joe Mayo, Daryl Burgess, Ray Wilson and Andy Johnson have all been calling season ticket holders over 70 to check they are okay.

And this week, all-time record goalscorer Tony Brown will be joining in, too, as Baggies heroes look to raise a smile by taking fans on a trip down memory land.

The WBA Former Players Association has worked in conjunction with the club to contact season ticket holders.

And Geoff Snape, secretary of the former players association, said the calls have proven to be a massive hit.

“The reaction we have had to the calls has been absolutely fantastic,” he said.

“Initially the idea was to call supporters if they were celebrating a birthday.

“But it’s been so enjoyable we are now trying to contact as many as we can just to check people are okay.

“In total Albion have around 1,600 supporters over 70, so we are now very busy.

“But it’s great to be able to lift spirits and we’ll keep going for as long as the lockdown goes on.

“It’s funny because when someone picks up the phone and they are told it’s Brendon Batson on the other end they just can’t believe it. Brendon spoke to one man the other day who attended his first game in 1946.

“It’s great for them to be able to reminisce with a former player.”

Iconic centre-half Robertson made more than 500 appearances for the Baggies between 1969 and 1986. And he has enjoyed making the calls.

He said: “It’s funny because they all miss the same things as me – football and going to the pub!

“But they all say how nice it is to hear from us.

“The fear of the virus and lockdown means this is a tough time for everybody so it’s really nice to be able to do something that is positive and helps cheer people up.”