In 1978, when the employees of Salter's Spring Works decided to form an Association Football team they had to send someone by foot to Wednesbury to purchase a football, and a weekly subscription of 2d was imposed as the name of the new club became West Bromwich Strollers (Hence the walk to Wednesbury). In 1880, they changed the name again, this time to West Bromwich Albion, as it has stayed ever since.1882 brought the club's record score when they beat Coseley 26-0 in a Birmingham Cup game, and their first trophy followed a year later with the Staffordshire Senior Cup. In 1886 they lost the FA Cup final to Blackburn Rovers, and a year later were beaten there by Aston Villa. The Baggies were founder members of the Football League in 1888, also the year they finally won the FA Cup, beating Preston in the final.
There has been plenty to celebrate since then, with the likes of Jeff Astle, Geoff Hurst, Bryan Robson and Laurie Cunningham pulling on the Albion shirt in the last few decades. In 2001/02, Gary Megson guided the club back into the top flight, but their stay in the Barclaycard Premiership lasted only one season. Thankfully, some sensible financial management meant that relegation did not decimate the squad and they were able to win promotion straight back up again in 2003/04.
After a 'Great Escape' the following season, Bryan Robson couldn't save them again in 2005/06 and they were relegated again, but returned by winning The Championship in 2007/08.
