Kevin Campbell labels dramatic final day in 2005 as most iconic West Brom moment
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Campbell started and led the line for West Brom against Portsmouth on the nervy final day of the 2004/05 season.
After sitting bottom of the Premier League at Christmas, Bryan Robson’s West Brom side miraculously survived relegation on the final day.
Campbell was brought in by Robson in January to provide more firepower for the Baggies, and he was named in the starting lineup for the final game against Portsmouth.
After a tense and goalless first half, Geoff Horsfield and Kieran Richardson provided the goods after the break to give the Baggies a 2-0 win, but tension remained at the Hawthorns as the club awaited results elsewhere.
Speaking to West Brom News, Campbell recalls the event and explains the iconic photo taken of him and Robson after the match.
“There’s a definite moment where on the last day of the season we win, we’ve beaten Portsmouth, the fans are on the pitch and we’re waiting for the Charlton v Crystal Palace game because that got delayed.
“We’re all waiting on the pitch for the result to come through.
“So we’ve held serve at home, we’ve won the game. We know it’s 2-2 at Charlton but I think there were about eight minutes to go – could you imagine?
“People had radios and everything – it was a nightmare. But I think that bonded us to the fans even more, especially when the news came through.
“And that iconic picture where I’m pouring a bottle of champagne over Bryan Robson’s head.
“Because the wait was such a long wait I was just trying to wash the sweat off.“
Campbell is definitely not the only person connected to West Brom that would highlight that day as their most iconic moment as a Baggies fan.
After all hope was lost over winter, Robson’s side rallied and went on a brilliant run to give themselves a chance of survival. Typically, it went down to a blockbuster final day, but it made the end result all that much sweeter.
In other West Brom news, a player reportedly complained numerous times about Steve Bruce to his agent before he was sacked