'From a Smoggie to a Baggie' James Morrison reflects on 18 years at West Brom

Hailing from Darlington, Morrison has found a new home in the Black Country after a glorious playing career with the Baggies. 

He spent nine of his 12 seasons in the Premier League and achieved promotion from the Championship twice. 

What would he tell himself now if he could do it all again?

"Enjoy it," the former midfielder responded as he cast back his mind to the 21-year-old who made the move from Middlesbrough in 2007.

"I think the stress of football can take over and you can forget the privilege of playing football and what it is.

"When you come out of that bubble you realise 'what a job that was, playing football'. 

"Every week, playing in front of 25,000 fans, you've got to enjoy those moments."

309 appearances and 39 goals later, "Mozza", as he is affectionately known by the Albion faithful, hung up his boots at the relatively young age of 33 in 2019. 

But that was not the end of his adventure at the Hawthorns. Since then, Morrison has worked as first team coach, alongside coaching roles inspiring the next generation in the under-18s and under-21s. 

Morrison even had a short spell as caretaker manager, alongside former Albion teammate Boaz Myhill and Spanish statistical analyst Damia Abella, following Tony Mowbray's sacking in April. 

In essence, the ex-Scotland international is ingrained into the very fabric of the football club, something which he himself feels very strongly too.

"It's football, isn't it? It can happen (ending up in the dugout). Who'd have thought Brunty [Chris Brunt] and me would do it [be caretaker] in one season," he continued.

"That's football, it gives you absolute highs, lows and surprises at any time. Twists and turns can change in one week and you have to be ready for it.

 "It's been a big part of my life.Me and Boaz were talking and asking how long do you think we've done this drive into work?

"Skip Lane, coming into work, scratching your cars - I still come down the same way and still scratch it, when I could just go down the other way!

"This club, it's the people in it that make it. It's a club feel. Without this it's like ... what do you have? It's a big part of life.

"The fans, if they didn't have West Brom, they'd be scratching their heads as well. This club means a lot to me."

Morrison will remain part of the backroom staff under newly-appointed boss Ryan Mason next season. 

Admittedly, the plan was always to turn to the North East, but Morrison very quickly caught the Baggies bug. 

"That's what I mean. My plan when I first arrived was to always move back [to the North East] but I call this home now. 

"It's turned me into a Baggie, really, not a Smoggie."