Exclusive: Kevin Phillips says Hawthorns could play role in return of football
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips has claimed that The Hawthorns could play a role in helping football get back on its feet once the coronavirus-enforced suspension of matches has ended.
The Independent has reported that the Premier League has a plan that involves “World Cup-style” isolated camps with matches taking place behind closed doors at neutral venues in the Midlands and in London.
As The Hawthorns is one of the biggest and most easily-accessible stadiums in the Midlands that isn’t a current Premier League stadium, Phillips has claimed that the Black Country venue could play a role in this plan.
When asked if he thinks The Hawthorns could host those neutral games, Phillips told West Brom News: “Yes, it could be. It’s a good stadium.
“It’s got a good pitch, it’s easily accessible as it’s just off the M5. In terms of traffic, getting out of it sometimes can be a bit of a nightmare.
“But it’s well equipped, as it St Andrew’s, Villa Park and Molineux. They’re all magnificent stadiums and have hosted some big games over the years.”
It would make a lot of sense for The Hawthorns to be used if that plan was used by the Premier League to see out the remaining fixtures.
Villa Park, Molineux and the King Power are all well-equipped stadiums but they all have teams in the Premier League at the moment.
After them, you’d look at the likes of The Hawthorns, Pride Park, the City Ground and St Andrew’s as possible venues.
However one issue would be whether or not it clashes with West Brom and how they play out their remaining nine games of the season.
It’s one of many issues that football’s governing bodies would have to look at.
In other West Brom news, Charlie Austin’s situation has been clarified.