Express & Star

Jake Livermore enjoying his West Brom fan calls

Skipper Jake Livermore says it’s a privilege calling Albion fans to help lift their spirits during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Jake Livermore (AMA)

A host of Baggies stars have been busy making surprise phone calls to fans in a bid to lift their mood while the country is in lockdown.

Season ticket holders aged over 70 have received the majority of the calls, with Livermore joined by the likes of Chris Brunt, Charlie Austin, Kieran Gibbs, Romaine Sawyers and Filip Krovinovic in hitting the phones. Clubs legends such as Tony Brown, Brendon Batson, Ally Robertson, Graham Williams, Joe Mayo, Daryl Burgess, Ray Wilson and Andy Johnson have also been busy making calls.

And Livermore believes he’s enjoyed talking to fans more than they have enjoyed speaking to him.

“I think we are enjoying the phone call more than what the fans do,” Livermore joked. “I’ve had a couple of chats with supporters now and it’s just so nice to hear genuine people – especially at a time like this when we all don’t know what is going on.

“We are all in the same position with uncertainty.

“It was just so nice to hear a genuine laugh and see a smile. It was really moving actually.

“A lot of the players in our changing room and across the board are level headed normal people.

“To actually see that a simple phone call can make a difference to someone’s day – it does put things in perspective and makes you want to do more of it.

“Obviously we can’t get around to everyone but we are doing as much as we can.

“And those that we have done we have had great feedback from. It’s been lovely for us.” Meanwhile, Livermore believes Albion’s coaching staff deserve credit for the way they helped the players stay in shape while they trained in isolation at home.

The Baggies squad have been allowed to use the club’s Walsall training base since last Wednesday – although access is on a strict rota basis and they are only allowed to work in groups of three while maintaining social distancing rules.

Nevertheless, Livermore believes Albion’s coaches did a fantastic job supporting the players when their only option was to train at home.

“The club have done absolutely everything in terms of sending out every piece of equipment – whatever help we have needed, you name it they have done it, “ Livermore said.

“Nick Davies (Albion’s head of performance) and his team deserve a lot of credit.

“They have been fantastic, all the boys are all as fit as can be.”