Albion show their Piers family must come first Boss makes a key point on crisis
IT’S brilliant what is going on at West Brom, who don’t have that kind of money, don’t have billionaire owners, and are doing the right thing.”
It was refreshing to hear Piers Morgan outline how Albion are showing up some of the biggest names in English football on national television last week.
The breakfast-time presenter held up the Baggies as a beacon, an example to follow, at a time when some of their top-flight counterparts, including champions-in-waiting Liverpool and Tottenham, have been placing members of non-playing staff on furlough.
The Reds and Spurs have, of course, since reversed their decisions after a heavily-critical reaction from all corners of the footballing community, but Albion have gone about things differently from the off. There was one rather obvious error in Morgan’s rant – that being Albion don’t have a billionaire owner. Guochuan Lai, who is based in his native China, is estimated to be worth £2.5 billion.
That said, there can be no argument with what Morgan went on to say – and with what Albion have produced by way of a response to the coronavirus, which has halted football and the expected stream of income.
Initially, there was panic. Shelves were emptied as people stockpiled toilet roll and tins of beans. When it became clear sport would be suspended for the foreseeable future and the NHS placed under significant pressure, Albion stepped up and provided for their local heroes.
SLAVEN Bilic (left) insists football can wait as the coronavirus wreaks havoc and takes lives around the globe – but the West Brom boss understands how strong a morale booster the return to action could be for confined supporters. Albion have enjoyed a terrific maiden campaign under the Croat and remain well placed for a return to the Premier League with nine league matches still to play.
Despite the frustrations of the campaign being on hold indefinitely, Bilic
The club put together parcels full of food and essentials for those who are based at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.
Michael, a nurse, shared a photo on Twitter of the parcels that had been put together by Albion and were set to be distributed. “Totally overwhelmed today by the absolutely amazing generosity of all at @ WBA FC,” he wrote. “Behind me are 35 MASSIVE food parcels they has offered a voice of reason and perspective in uncertain times.
Equally, in a period where millions around the continent are being kept under lockdown, Bilic can see how behind-closed-doors football could act as a catalyst in raising the spirits of supporters.
Such a decision from the football governing bodies would permit TV companies to broadcast such matches.
“Football is definitely not the priority,” said Bilic. “Not in England,
have donated to the frontline NHS heroes @SWBHnhs. Words can’t express how grateful we are.”
The Albion Foundation have been playing a big part in providing comfort and an ear to those for whom isolation, sadly, might not be anything new.
It is estimated the Baggies have in the region of 1,800 seasonticket holders over the age of 70, many of whom will live alone and would have greatly appreciated a phone call from their football club.
That’s what Albion did, making their way through the contacts book.
They even got some club legends on not in Turkey, or Italy, or France, Germany, Brazil ... anywhere in the world.
“Definitely the priority is to stop the virus.
“On the other hand, football is very important for the morale of the people. It brings people joy. So as soon as the situation improves in the world, or country by country, they will activate football games as quickly as possible. Even though there’s no place to talk about it now, as soon as the situation improves in any country, that country will start to play football.”
board, too – Brendon Batson, Ally Robertson, Joe Mayo, Daryl Burgess and Willie Johnston were among those who lent a hand in spreading some much-needed cheer.
Not only has CEO Mark Jenkins taken a 100 per cent pay cut for the duration of the lockdown, alongside other senior board members who have also offered to take significant salary reductions, but not a single staff member was been furloughed.
If Albion are eventually forced into furloughing staff, they will make up the remaining 20 per cent not covered by the Government’s job retention scheme so that all employees will still receive full pay. All of which means Albion deserved their nod of recognition from the nation; in unprecedented times, the Baggies have once again lived up to their reputation of being a family club.