My thanks to so many great friends….who have made this emotionally challenging season so memorable. Those friends in the Regis Suite, to Ray, Geoff, Norman and ALL the wonderful former players, who have made OUR Hawthorns years so memorable. I still get a buzz when I sit down with the wonderful Tony Brown in the Media suite for a chat. To my friends in the East Stand, friends in the Halfords Lane enclosures and friends on matchday duties of course.
To the great club stewards, especially Andy, Mick and Hannah. Without you, there would have been very little to smile about. I have had a breeze being in your company throughout the last ten months. Yesterday it was great to see another old buddy from the past the wonderful Leon Barnett, who never seems to age, Curtis Davies another smashing fella and good mate now working for Sky TV. To Martin Albrechtsen, who came over for the Pukka night on Friday night and stayed the distance on Saturday in the Richardson Suite. Hopefully we will see more of him in the future. A big thanks to ALL the Media lads, who look after me so well, I could be their Grandad, sometimes I think I am…how wonderful. …To Jacko and his brilliant team….to my great pal Fradge, we go back so far, it’s unbelievable, what a great job he has done through yet another difficult season.
To everyone who just stops and says ‘Hello’ at the Shrine, Believe me, you make a difference to my match day life…It keeps me coming, when sometimes I just want to stay home because I am mentally and physically drained, the thought of seeing you to say ‘Hello’ gets me into Steve’s car and on the road again. Talking about Steve (Mole)…he quite literally makes it happen, I just wouldn’t be there but for his great counsel and help. Even if he does drag me out of bed at ‘silly O’Clock’ sometimes.
I’ll see you all in a few months time.