West Bromwich Albion v Wolves, 26th November 1983

Highlights of the First Division derby between West Bromwich Albion and Wolves at The Hawthorns on 26th November 1983.
Even before the start of the 1983-84 season there were ominous signs for Wolves fans that a season of struggle lay potentially ahead. Manager Graham Hawkins had targetted a number of signings in pre-season, but severe financial problems at Molineux meant that there was only one summer recruit to the team that had unexpectedly gained promotion in the previous season - Tony Towner, signed from Rotherham United by Wolves Chairman and Chief Executive Derek Dougan, without the consent of his manager.
As the season progressed, the fears harboured by Wolves fans proved founded, although a 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool on the opening day of the season was a creditable performance and result. However, Wolves' season rapidly deteriorated to the point where they failed to register a single victory before their match against Albion - a grim 14 match run consisting of 10 defeats and 4 draws that left Wolves firmly rooted to the bottom of the league.
Managing under huge constraints, Hawkins desperately attempted to alter Wolves' alarming slide. Andy Blair and Danny Crainie were loaned from Aston Villa and Celtic respectively and were included in the team for the match at The Hawthorns. Although striker Andy Gray, scorer of the winning goal in the 1980 League Cup Final, was transferred to Everton in the first week of November, four other players remained from a more prosperous era for Wolves. All featured against Albion; goalkeeper Paul Bradshaw had replaced John Burridge at the start of October, veteran defender Geoff Palmer appeared as a second-half substitute at The Hawthorns, the talented Wayne Clarke debuted in 1978 while midfielder Kenny Hibbitt captained Wolves in what would prove to be his final season of a distinguished near-sixteen year career at Molineux.
Under manager Ron Wylie, Albion's league results had been somewhat inconsistent over the first third of the season. Fourteenth in the league ahead of their match against Wolves, Albion's results generally worsened throughout the remainder of the campaign as they dropped uncomfortably close to relegation, with a final league position of 17th. Included in Wylie's team for the match at The Hawthorns was centre-half Ally Robertson who, following his transfer to Wolves in 1986, helped the revival at Molineux from the lower leagues in his 136 league and cup appearances.
Originally broadcast by BBC Match of the Day with commentary provided by Barry Davies.

[@derekpugh6819]

Was out with my mate having a drink with my best mate at my local pub and decided to go home and watch match of the day. Left the pub and witnessed a fatality. This went to court and I had to give evidence. Never forgot the day. 🌹

[@Wolvesfan-oz6yh]

Got my kite stuck up a tree on the Common on the Delves at my Nans.
It hammered down. Two older lads give me stick as I had my wolves tracksuit on. Got back to Nans soaking wet,
Listened to the last 5 mins in the back room on Radio WM eating a spam sandwich and a cuppa tea.

[@marknewbold2583]

Ally Robertson dreaming of the day he could play for a big club

[@davidburrows499]

Was there that day .. remember it still. Went on the football special train believe it or not. UTW

[@UKRichardHK]

That was Wolves first win during that dreadful season. The next week a 5-0 thumping at home to Watford.

[@TheLastOilMan]

Begining of a bad era for the Baggies

[@elshadjafar2437]

NEXT LIKE AND THANKS FROM YOUR SUBSCRIBER. BAKU CITY

[@dougscrivens4002]

Just been reminded why I switched off from football in those days. Two rubbish teams and very little talent on show.

[@michaelroberts7374]

Great points from the Wolves you knob lol

[@wulf1877]

happy days up the wolves

[@markwilson4052]

Happy days? They went down with 6 wins. They actually won away at Liverpool as well . This was also the same day as the Brinks Mat Robbery.

[@tellitts]

We hate Albion say we hate Albion

[@wolvolad87]

Some empty seats there

[@UKRichardHK]

Yes only 18,000 there for what should be a big derby game. Though this was at the time when football was almost at its lowest point.

[@i_know_youre_right_but]

Scary times going to the football back then.

[@wolfman9132]

The Country was on its knees, especially in the industrial heartlands these 2 Clubs represented.

[@markriley5863]

Yeah but we didn't buy Danny Cranie and years of misery followed.

[@edwardburnsen-hicks2721]

Danny craine was brought an played next seasen.

[@muzi2672]

Fucking hell how big was the segregation/no man's land in the Smethwick End? Funny to hear fans singing here we go.
Hopefully we get a BCD next season and a chance to right some wrongs over the last 20 years. The second last time I went to the Hawthornes was the 4-2 game when we had 5 or 6k there, an amazing day (despite the Billy Wright is dead grafitti, getting put on my arse by a fat baggie 20 yrs older than me in front of a copper who just laughed, and all the aggro getting out of the ground) but little did Inknow that'd be a high point for us at our rivals.

[@i_know_youre_right_but]

Never heard of that Billy Wright graffiti but if that’s true that’s absolutely disgusting, Billy Wright is a legend and that’s coming from an Albion fan

[@wolves1980]

​@@i_know_youre_right_butwell said mate singing about dead people sad I'm a wolves fan and would never think a wba player dieing is funny sad how people hate someone over a football team

[@pj_4076]

Shit on the Albion !

[@cena409]

baggies to the end!

[@cena409]

baggies to the end!