A ground which is well worth a visit (Hawthorns, the (West Bromwich Albion FC))

Member Name: liamb71

Product:	Hawthorns, the (West Bromwich Albion FC)
Date:	27/05/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fans, transport links

Disadvantages: The unsightly stand down one side of the ground!

I paid my first visit to the Hawthorns last season, and must say that I enjoyed the experience. It is easy to find, and not desperately difficult to park near if you come by car, but don't want to pay for the privilege of leaving your vehicle right next door to the ground in one of the matchday car parks. Having been to Villa, Wolves and Birmingham over the years, I found the fans to be considerably friendlier than their neighbours, although maybe this was partly because on this occasion I was a neutral rather than an away supporter. However there was very little hostility aimed at the sizeable travelling support from Peterborough, so I don't think that this is an entirely blinkered assessment.

As far as the ground itself is concerned, I have to to say that whilst three sides of it are great, the fourth really does not fit - it is much lower and dominated by hospitality boxes, rather like Luton's Kenilworth Road ground, although not as bad! Maybe in time the project will be completed, but relegation this season from the Premiership would suggest that it won't happen in the immediate future.

Overall I would certainly recommend a visit to the Hawthorns, and as long as Mowbray resists the overtures of Celtic, I suspect that you will be treated to a decent game of football the way it should be played in a pleasant environment. Bring a thick coat though, it certainly is cold there even when it isn't five miles down the road!

Summary: West Brom will start 2009-10 in the Championship