Christmas Day

Christmas Day then and no doubt we’ve all opened our presents. Jason Manford book for me plus Tony Iommi’s Iron Man, a jumper, miniature bottle of Bailey’s and a Cinephone card, with more to come, so quite good so far, nothing like dropping a few hints. Good excuse to play on grandson’s toy guitar too!
Forgot to mention that we dropped some Us and Them book’s off at Hale Bookshop too, and there’s a nice review in this months Programme Monthly though they’ve forgotten to put in the address from where to purchase it!
Also Amazon has it down as being temporarilily out of stock so we're trying to sort that one out as we've a few hundred here at KK Towers!
The Ad on this blog also needs updating!
Tomorrow we’re off to West Brom. where despite a bad Christmas against them in 1967 we went on to win the title. I listened to the Boxing Day game on the radio, which was torture – “it’s Manchester City on the ball, oops Albion have scored, where did that one come from?” Then “City on the attack, and the ball is in the back of the net, no it’s kicked off the line….” Heart atta ck stuff as we lost 3-2, then on the Saturday we lost 2-0 with Tony ‘Bomber' Brown’ scoring a belter for them. 44,897 at Albion and 45, 754 at Maine Road.
Here’s the It’s A Fix extract from KK193 :

18) MONDAY DECEMBER 26TH WEST BROM (AWAY) KO 3PM
The Baggies celebrate their second season in the Prem (this time) Trophyless now since winning the F A Cup in 1968, Recent connection none really since the days of Owen, Barnes, etc. 129th League meeting
Last season : We played them three times, twice at The Hawthorns. First in the Carling Cup third round in September when, with a very young team, and despite Jo putting us one up (19) we lost 2-1, to goals in the 55th and 57th minute. Crowd was 10,418 with 1380 Blues. We made amends though in November when two goals from Mario (20, 26) who was later sent off, clinched the win. They also finished with ten men. Crowd was 23,013 with 1880 Blues.
At COMS in February it was a 3-0 City win, Carlos getting a hat-trick with goals in the 17th pen, 22nd, and 36th pen minutes. Crowd was 46,846 with 2244 Baggies.
This season so far : They’re in 10th place with 21 points from 17 games and 2 wins 1 draw and 4 losses at home. They’re doing better away, winning their last two at Newcastle and Blackburn than at home, where they’ve lost the last two v Spurs and Wigan. So a tricky one as they try and get back to winning ways at home.
In the Carling Cup they won at Birmingham 4-1 but lost at Everton 2-1 in the 4th round.
In the FA Cup they’ve drawn Cardiff at home.
Our League form down there picked up with last season’s win, following three losses, 1-2, 0-2, 1-2. after the 2-1 win in 2002/03.
Comment : An indifferent season so far for Woy’s boys. Like most Prem clubs though, on their day they can give anyone a game especially at home in the tight, compact and atmospheric Hawthorns. Another win for our boys? Oh yes.
Ground is the same as on our last visit, plenty of local car parks and it’s dead handy to the M5 from the A41.
Past visits have been uncomfortable with over officious stewards, and long queues at the few opened turnstiles. City fans were still made to walk all round the ground to get back to the cars parked on the main stand side. Bit different from COMS, where away fans get priority.
Tickets are £40
Post code is : B71 4LF
WWTWTWShite? Crowds were down to an average of 9,134 in 1986/87, this season they’re averaging 24,788.

The Hawthorns capacity: 28,003 (1500? For City)

Then later this week on Thursday night we’ve got a night at The Etihad for City’s FPA with Pete MaClaine and the Clan performing. Friday it’s a Programme Fair at the Cresta Court Hotel Alty from 11am, Hope to sell a few books, and pick up a few progs!
Enjoy the rest of Christmas and have a great day tomorrow
Dave