Baggies fans buzzing ahead of return to Hawthorns for West Brom v West Ham
"I was emotional when I found out I had a ticket, not just for the football, but for the feeling of normality about it."
West Brom fan Clint McCormick is among the privileged fans who will be allowed into the Hawthorns to watch their team this week for the first time since March last year.
The 38-year-old from Brierley Hill will be one of around 6,000 supporters allowed back into the stadium when the Baggies take on West Ham on Wednesday.
Limited numbers of supporters are being allowed back into stadiums as lockdown rules continue to ease - with crowds back at Molineux and Villa Park on Sunday.
Mr McCormick said it had been the longest period he had gone without going to a Baggies game since he started going to matches in 2003.
He said: "The last games I went to were an FA Cup game at home against Newcastle on March 3, then a goalless draw at Swansea on March 7, before everything suddenly changed.
"I haven't missed a game, home or away, in 18 years, so it's going to be really nice to get there and sit in the stands and watch the game."
Mr McCormick was among the season ticket holders who had been invited to apply for tickets to the game on the official club website, then had to wait to see if they got a ticket from the ballot.
He said he found out last Wednesday that he'd been successful, then purchased his ticket on Sunday and immediately felt the butterflies of anticipation in his stomach.
Albion's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed when they lost to Arsenal on May 9, but Mr McCormick said that hadn't dampened the enthusiasm from fans to get tickets.
He said: "If it was a regular game, I don't think a lot of people would fancy it on a Wednesday, but the fact that no one has been able to go for so long makes it feel special.
"It's more about being able to go there and for those who would normally go every two weeks and see their friends, it means so much to them to be able to do this.
"I know I'm going to feel a bit emotional when I get there because its another sign of life getting back to normal and we need that after a rough last 15 months."
