Warm welcome requested of Albion fans for Megson
Mar 20 2009 by Robert Tanner, Birmingham Post
ROB TANNER
Staff writer
rob.tanner@birminghampost.net
Gary Megson returns to The Hawthorns tomorrow for the first time since his acrimonious departure and West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray hopes the Bolton Wanderers boss will be given a warm welcome.
Megson spent four and a half years at Albion and led the club from battling relegation in League One to two promotions to the Premier League.
The 49-year-old is one of the most successful Albion managers of the modern era and Mowbray believes his achievements should be acknowledged by a warm welcome when the Trotters arrive.
Megson’s reign was characterised by spats with his employers and his clash with former chairman Paul Thompson led to the latter’s departure.
However, his relationship with present chairman Jeremy Peace also went sour and, after he announced he would not sign a new contract if he was offered one in October 2004, his decision was seen as a resignation and he was dismissed the following month.
The row rumbled on for some time after his departure with Megson taking every opportunity to take a swipe at his former employers.
But, while Megson may still hold some resentment towards Albion’s board, Mowbray said his reign should be appreciated by the club’s fans.
“I would like to think he will get a positive response,” Mowbray said. “He had two promotions with the club and that is a wonderful achievement.
“I hope the supporters will show appreciation for the good times he had at the football club. Then, when the game gets rolling, I hope they will be behind Albion and cheering us on to a victory.”
Megson’s attitude seems to have mellowed before tomorrow’s big game, which Albion must win to keep their hopes of escaping the drop alive, even if he wishes them the best just for the supporters’ sake. “It ran its course,” he said of his disagreement with Peace. “I said at the time I’d be leaving at the end of the season. With that statement I was sacked, albeit by telephone, and I’ve not been back. It happens and it’s gone.
“I look forward to going back. One of the best things that happened the first time I got promoted was standing on the 18-yard line at the Birmingham Road End with my wife and son and they were doing the boing-boing, and no one can take those memories away from me.
“I’m delighted to say two of West Brom’s most consistent and best performers that I took to the club donkeys years ago are still performing brilliantly for them, in Jonathan Greening and Paul Robinson.
“It was a good period. I really enjoyed the football club. I look out for its results for the supporters. I’d love West Brom to do well for the supporters, but my interests are here.”
Mowbray will again be without defenders Abdoulaye Meite (hamstring) and Leon Barnett (knee).
