Baggies fans can give West Brom boost
Albion are working on a host of initiatives to improve the atmosphere at The Hawthorns and make sure the players feel comfortable when they return to action next Saturday.
Following a three-month suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Baggies will resume their push for the Premier League when they host Birmingham next weekend.
Instead of the vibrant Hawthorns atmosphere, however, the players will run out into an empty stadium with all matches having to take place behind closed doors to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Albion are keen to make sure the match-day experience is as normal as it can be for Slaven Bilic’s squad and are taking measures to ensure they are comfortable in what is sure to be a strange and somewhat subdued atmosphere.
The club is working on compiling audio so the players will still hear popular chants before the game – including The Lord’s My Shepherd and The Liquidator.
They will also run out to Insomnia by Faithless.
And fans are being asked to play their part by submitting messages of encouragement that will be broadcast on the big screen while the players warm up.
Supporters are being asked to record clips of 20 seconds or less that the squad will see and hear as they go through their pre-match routines.
A statement from the club said: “Maybe you want to wish your favourite player ‘good luck’? Perhaps send your wishes to the whole team? Is there a Baggies anthem you and your mates want to sing? Or do you just want to shout ‘Come on You Baggies’ to get it out of your system?
“Your choice. We know you are backing the boys but this is one way we can actually see and hear it!”
Fans are asked to email their clips to haden.tye@wbafc.co.uk
Meanwhile, Sky has announced it will broadcast Albion’s game against Derby on Wednesday, July 8.
The television giant had already confirmed it will show the Blues game and the Baggies’ next outing at Brentford on Friday, June 26.
But they have now chosen to air the Derby game as well, leading to the kick-off time being changed from 8pm to 5pm.
It means Albion’s two matches in between the Brentford and Derby games – away to Sheffield Wednesday and at home to Hull – can only be viewed on iFollow, the EFL’s streaming service.
