By Jemma Tappenden
August 15 2008

The Hawthorns and Molineux may well be separated by a mere 11 miles, but the two clubs are worlds apart as the Baggies prepare for the start of their season in just 24 hours time. Being a 'dingle' by nature, but reporting about Albion has never been a particular easy experience.

But at least I had the excuse of listening to Albion commentary whilst sat at Molineux last season because I was reporting on it.

As a young easily inspired teenager growing up on the outskirts of South Staffordshire in the 1990s, life as a Wolves fan was relatively easy.  Most of the people I went to school with followed Wolves, apart from a minority of Baggies fans, the odd Stoke supporter and the obligatory glory hunters.

Wolves had it relatively easy back then.  Molineux was a brand new stadium, one of it's kind for the times in the First division as it then was.  We had sugar daddy Sir Jack who seemed more than content to throw money at endless unsuccessful gaffers, and Bully was still banging in goals left right and centre.

The Premiership on the other hand was still that elusive target - always within smelling distance, but never quite there.  Nonetheless, we usually pipped both Albion and Stoke in the league standings come May, and as for the glory hunters - well who cared?

The turn of the millennium however brought a quick turn around of fortunes.  Those who believed we evaded the millennium bug need look no further than Molineux.

After a shocking lead come March 2002, Wolves spectacularly crashed and burned allowing their 11 mile neighbours to not just creep, but run with immense speed up behind them to win second place and promotion.  A further kick in the balls was dished out when another local side in the shape of Birmingham City went on the win the playoffs.

A brief reprieve was dished out 12 months later.  After a good fight the Baggies were relegated, and now it was our turn to laugh and wave as we swapped league status.  This is it we thought, with Sir Jack's millions we're bound to at least survive.  Even my Albion supporting friends were quaking at the thought of Jack splashing the cash and us achieving what they had failed to do a year previously - surviving the drop.

But instead the for sale signs were well and truly knocked up.  Investment was minimal, and we were well on course for a dire Premiership season.  The rest as we say, is history.

Being a young easily inspired teenager on the outskirts of Staffordshire in the noughties must be quite a different experience.  Not since 2004 have Wolves had an upper hand on the Baggies, and worst still are the not too distant memories of further Albion Premiership campaigns, great cup runs with Wembley semi finals, playoff heartache and 3-0 drubbings.  Twice.

But I feel glad for Albion.  They have afterall achieved what we desired without the sugar daddy influence.  They are a well run club, who keeps it's fans close to its heart, and they are respected.

So - as Albion embark on yet another crack at Premiership establishment, it is with luck (albeit through gritted teeth) that I wish them every success.  Lets get Midlands football back on the map.  Lets show Villa that this region isn't just all about them.  And it is with a hint of sadness and regret that I shall watch the Baggies tomorrow, full of hope that they can do what we failed to do, but also that one day maybe those good feelings of the 90s can return, and we can join our neighbours in England's top flight.

11 mile gap but worlds apart

Discussion started by Baggies World (IP Logged), 15/08/2008 12:55

Baggies World
15/08/2008 12:55

11 mile gap but worlds apart

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Pattayalloyal
15/08/2008 13:53

Its 12 miles mate? to far to be a derby!,,,

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Lifes Little Jem
15/08/2008 14:07

It's 11, I checked.

www.wbabaggies.co.uk

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Hall_Green_Wolf
15/08/2008 20:33

I would love it,really love it....................

If all our teams were in the prem, yes all of them (even blues and that is really hard to admit, there cavemen fans have made my life hell for the last 15 years).

And it would not help Villa having all those games to play where the form book goes out the window.

I make it 11.5 miles by road (thanks to google maps).

St Andrews to Wba: 5.3 miles

Villa to Wba: 3.9 miles

So the combined distance of these 2 teams by road is 9.2 miles, alot less than the distance from Molineux. So to me that says Birmingham have got 3 teams and Albion are the second biggest.

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Lifes Little Jem
15/08/2008 21:59

I make it 10.5 according to RAC and AA, so 11 sounds about good to me!

www.wbabaggies.co.uk

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