Posts Tagged ‘match’

Albion Support Chile Earthquake Appeal

West Bromwich Albion are again jumping to support of another disaster with their shirt sponsorship deals. The home game tommorrow against the Owls will see the Baggies players sporting the “Help Chile” loga along with the British Red Cross website address. A very likely scenario it was too, especially when you remeber that the Albion have 1 Chilean player on their books in the name of Gonzalo Jara who was recuperating from injury back jome in Chile when the quake struck.

The Albion are urging fans to also make donations via the Red Cross site.

Jara, injured and out for the season with a broken metatarsal, was in Santiago when the massive earthquake, measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale, struck his homeland nine days ago. He joined the Baggies from Chilean club Colo Colo last August, when the quake struck he had to evacuate his wife and children from their flat to a nearby park.

Albion are now throwing their weight behind the work of the British Red Cross, which is working hand in hand with the Chilean Red Cross to provide relief to the disaster-struck country.

Having successfully raised awareness of, and funds for, the DEC’S Haiti Appeal by adding supportive logos to the players’ shirts at Newcastle in January, Albion have now donated the same advertising space to the Chilean aid effort.

All 18 shirts used for tommorows match will be auctioned of by the club on their website, with all proceeds going, at Jara’s request, directly to Talcahuano, where the military have been called in to help stricken locals.

Jara has also played his part in helping his fellow countrymen by appearing on a 24-hour fundraising Telethon on national TV in Chile.

“When we heard about the earthquake, we were greatly concerned about the well being of Gonzalo and his family and were relieved to hear they are safe,” said Albion Chairman Jeremy Peace.

“The fact one of our own players is at the scene of the earthquake and that his close family has been affected by it has brought this tragedy closer to home – and we wanted to play our part in raising funds for the aid effort.

“We have again decided to utilise the flexible nature of our shirt sponsorship, which we hope will encourage people to support the work of the Red Cross in the region.

“Gonzalo has also asked the Club to pledge any funds raised to the relief work being undertaken in his home city of Talcahuano, which we are only too happy to do.”

Caroline Leighton, Red Cross operations director for Staffordshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands, said: “We are grateful to West Bromwich Albion for highlighting our appeal as help is still desperately needed in Chile.

“We have already released £50,000 from our Disaster Fund to help with the initial response, but more will be needed as the true extent of the disaster becomes clear.

“Just £30 could buy hygiene kits for ten people and £10 could buy five jerry cans for storing and carrying water.

“Donations of any amount will make a difference so thanks, in advance, to the supporters for their help.”

Albion raised £25,000 for the DEC Haiti Appeal via a similar shirt auction and Club donation in January.

The Red Cross is assisting the people of Chile with search and rescue and medical assistance plus basic amenities like water, sanitation and shelter – but the needs are great.

The Chilean Red Cross is working on the ground in partnership with emergency services, carrying out search and rescue operations and damage assessments, and giving medical assistance where necessary.

To make a donation visit: redcross.org.uk, call 0845 054 7201 or send a cheque, made payable to the British Red Cross, to: Chile Earthquake Appeal, British Red Cross, 44 Moorfields, London, EC2Y 9AL.

Free Baggies Bus Returns

West Brom are due to return the support shown to them again soon with the return of the free travel to an away game. There will be up to 40 free supporters coaches on offer for the trip to Reading on Saturday March 27th.

This is free travel for around 2000 fans to the game and will no doubt add to the chances of a sell out for the game along with massive support. In previous times of free coaches the Baggies have won 3 of the 8 games they involved over the last 7 seasons.

Albion chief executive Mark Jenkins said: “The supporters have once again been brilliant on our away trips this season.

“The backing they have given the team is appreciated by everyone at the club.

“As a thank you to the travelling fans, who go everywhere in big numbers, we are laying on free coaches to a game for the seventh successive season.”

There are 2000 tickets available for the game at the Madjeski, season ticket holders and members will be charged £22.50, £16.50 seniors and seven to 21 year olds, and £11.50 juniors.

None members or season ticket holders can add £2 to the price.

The club are saying that supporters should hurry to book coaches to save disappointment, however, we are not sure why this may be as you cannot by your coach seat unless you have already purchased your match ticket. Maybe it is to make sure that there are no surplus coaches booked?

Match tickets are now on sale to away season ticket holders via internet, phone and in person and the same options are available for booking your coach travel too.

Normal season ticket holders can buy from Wed the 10th online and then from the following Saturday by phone or in person. Members will be allowed to buy tickets from Thursday March 22nd, then they will go on general sale from Monday March 22nd.

Morrison Could Return Tonight For Reading Game

After a ten month break due to injury James Morrison may make a return tonight in the Reading Cup Replay. The midfielder may get a bit part in tonight’s game after the heel problem injury problem seems to be coming to an end.

Having played an hour on Monday in a training match against Wrexham he is ready to go and glad to be so.

“I have been looking forward to this time,” said Morrison.

“I got a good hour under my belt and everything felt good.

“I was buzzing after the game.

“I felt great yesterday. I surprised myself.

“I thought I might feel a bit stiff but everything was fine.

“The training game was organised last week.

“I was going to play last Wednesday but we decided against it and I got a game in on Monday, so I am pleased with the game and thankful to Wrexham for playing.

“I am quite close. I have played an hour and I’ve been training for nearly two weeks now so I feel good and there is no reason why I can’t feel part of the squad now.

“After Monday I feel fine and now I just need more games.

“If that’s coming off the bench that’s fine.

“Hopefully just being back will give the team a boost.”

The young Scotland international reckons he was in the best of form before his injury and hopes to replicate that again.

“I thought last season was one of my best and it was sickening that I couldn’t carry it on this year but now I’m just looking to get back on the pitch,” he added.

“I was initially told I would be back for the end of last season and now it’s nearly a year on so it’s been really frustrating.

“But I’m just glad I’m over it now and I’m back.

“I think it will take me quite a while to get back to where I want to be and I have seen other people come back and get injured through going too quickly, so I will take my time – but give it my all.”

“At times it’s been difficult but I feel I will be a better person for this experience,” he said.

“I will always look back at this time and think ‘I’ve got something here’ and I will try to work on my game and get the best out of my ability.

“I’m lucky to have the experience of winning the Championship two seasons ago – and it was a great experience.

“That experience will help me come back into the team with the lads and hopefully we can push on into the top two.

“People think we just want to get promoted but I want to win the league – and I think we can.”

Bristol City Tickets Latest

Tickests are on sale until 4PM this afternoon and available from the club ticket office at the Hawthorns. Once 4PM passes, the only way to get in to Ashton Gate will be by using the cash only turnstile at the away end on the day.

There are only around 500 tickets left so it will be wise to consider whether travelling without a ticket is worthwhile. If all tickets sell, there will be a 2000 strong Black Country following for this televised match.

Seat prices are as follows, £25 adults, £20 seniors, £15 students and £10 juniors.

Jerome Thomas gets a further ban

Jerome Thomas faced an FA disciplinary hearing this morning and was handed a further 1 match to his already long 4 match ban.

Albion legal director Darren Eales was at Wembley with Thomas who had to face a fresh charge of violent conduct for his actions after the red card at Plymouth.

Having already served 2 games of the now 5 game ban he will be available a week Saturday, quite soon really, however testament to the amount of games needed to be played in such a short time. This will allow him to play in the Derby game in just 11 days.

The games he will miss are Cardiff tonight, Bristol City and next week’s FA Cup fifth-round replay against Reading.

Starting line up at Reading – Slory starts.

Simon Cox today returns to his home town club Reading where his career started, he joined the Royals aged nine and worked up through the ranks before making his League Cup debut at Luton in September 2005. He will be so happy that he has been handing a starting position.

Hopes are high with Baggies fans today, especially as the Albion have been quite successful in the FA Cup in recent years, reaching a Wembley semi final most recently.

Pointers for more success include the fact that Reading have not got passed this stage of the cup for 83 years.

Albion have the best away record in the country and are the championships highest scoring team.

The players want the cup run and are hungry for a trophy.

Reading on the other hand have beaten premiership opposition twice, both Liverpool and Burnley have fallen to reading.

Reading have won 4 of their last five games and beat Albion in the last FA Cup meeting between the 2 teams.

Andy Slory gets his full Albion debut, Roberto Di Matteo makes four changes to the victoriuos Scunthorpe team.

The Dutch winger gets the cup-tied Frank Nouble ‘s position.

Gianni Zuiverloon and Abdoulaye Meite come in, with Gonzalo Jara pushed into central midfield and Gabriel Tamas rested.

Youssouf Mulumbu and Robert Koren also meet the bench as Simon Cox comes in to the team.

Youth Sam Mantom, just 18 next Saturday, is handed an early birthday present as he is named among the subs.

Reading (4-5-1): Federici, Griffin, Ingimarsson, Mills, Bertrand, McAnuff, Howard, Karacan, Gunnarson, Kebe, Long. Subs: Hamer, Tabb, Henry, Church, Robson-Kanu, Rasiak, Pearce.

Albion (4-5-1): Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Olsson, Mattock, Brunt, Cox, Jara, Dorrans, Slory, Bednar. Subs: Kiely, Koren, Moore, Wood, Tamas, Mulumbu, Mantom.

Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).

Massive injury boosts at the Hawthorns and transfer rumours

Not only are Youssouf Mulumbu, Jerome Thomas and Luke Moore all looking likely to be fit to start in the  Sky televised Rangers clash at The Hawthorns on Monday after their individual struggles struggles with injuries, however, James Morrison may also be back in training as early as next week too!.

With Thomas and Moore back in training and raring to go, Mulumbu is also showing no signs of any serious injury after his recent early bath in the Cardiff defeat.  Morrisons scarring is healing very well and he should be able to start light training any day soon.

The Rangers game will also see a return for Dean Kiely, who will be looking to make his claim for the number one shirt permanent whilst Scott Carson sits out due to his 3 match ban. Carson is expected to be fined by the club after his out of character head butt on Chopra, the club feel that his sending off and the very nature is deserving of a club fine.

Di Matteo has actually hinted that should Kiely perform well that there is no reason why he cannot keep the shot stoppers jersey indefinitely. This episode will see a young keeper on the bench in the form of youth keeper Ryan Alsopp.

In other news today, reports are rife that Albion are likely to make a big money offer for out of favour Stoke striker James Beattie.