Kevin Phillips reacts as West Brom fans organise protest against Guochuan Lai
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 understands why some West Brom fans have decided to hold a protest against owner Guochuan Lai at The Hawthorns this weekend.
BBC Radio WM broadcaster Adrian Goldberg has reported that Albion fans will publicly air their disdain towards the Chinese ownership of the Black Country club outside the East Stand at 1:30pm on Saturday ahead of the clash against Reading.
Speaking to West Brom News, Phillips admitted that he doesn’t know whether protests are worthwhile but he can see how Baggies fans have gotten to this point.
“I don’t know whether I’m a great fan of protests but sometimes, things get to the end of the line where supporters have to do something,” said the former striker.
“They see a protest as an ideal way of airing their frustration at whoever it is at any club. Maybe it’s come to that point.”
West Brom fans have grown increasingly disillusioned with the club’s anonymous, and seemingly uninterested, ownership this season.
Valerien Ismael didn’t seem to have too much money to work with in the summer transfer window and many are displeased with the lack of investment from China to help the Baggies restore their spot as an established Premier League club.
Lai, however, never promised to invest funds into the club when he bought it from Jeremy Peace for £200million in 2016 but there were reports about him trying to sell the Albion before relegation last season [Steve Madeley].
In other West Brom news, Phillips has slammed this senior Albion player who’s frustrated him this season.
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