Tony Brown and Bob Taylor – Top 10 West Brom legends every fan should know
West Brom are one of the most iconic British clubs, with several legends gracing the halls of the Albion throughout their existence.
The Albion recently celebrated West Brom’s 125th anniversary at The Hawthorns and are ready for several more to come.
Founded by workers from George Salter’s Spring Works, Albion was formed in 1878 and have been around for 147 years.
There is no doubt Ryan Mason will want to earn Premier League promotion and make a statement with the Baggies. But a club so old and rich in history has seen multiple icons touch down at The Hawthorns.
Tony Brown (1963-1980)
Appearances: 720
Goals: 279
Largely considered one of the greatest West Brom players of all time, Tony Brown joined Albion as an apprentice professional in 1961. The forward earned his first call-up as a professional in September 1963 and was given his league debut against Ipswich Town.
He went on to become West Brom’s record appearance maker and record scorer. His accolades with Albion include the League Cup in 1966 and the FA Cup in 1980. Brown continues to comment and follow West Brom as he watches on at their new generation of players.
Jeff Astle (1964-1974)
Appearances: 361
Goals: 174
Nicknamed by Albion fans as ‘the King’, Jeff Astle spent the majority of his playing career at West Brom. Astle signed for the Baggies in 1964 and went on to become one of the club’s most recognised names.
During his prime, the words “Astle is the King” appeared on the brickwork of Primrose Bridge, which soon was locally known as “the Astle Bridge”.
His accolades include the 1968 FA Cup final, where he scored the only goal after netting in each round that season. As well as the League Cup in 1966.
Bryan Robson (1975-1981)
Appearances: 198
Goals: 41
Before he became the longest-serving player in Manchester United’s history, Bryan Robson touched down at West Brom. He started his career as an apprentice toward the end of the 1973-74 season before signing a professional contract in 1974.
He made his debut in April 1975 in a 3-1 away victory over York City and is most remembered for his performances during the 1978 FA Cup run, where they were beaten by Ipswich Town in the semi-finals.
Robson later returned to The Hawthorns as a manager, helping West Brom avoid relegation on the final day of the Premier League 2004/25 season.
Cyrille Regis (1977-1984)
Appearances: 302
Goals: 112
Cyrille Regis spent the most prolific period of his senior career at West Brom. Regis netted a brace for Albion on his debut in a League Cup win over Rotherham United on 31 August 1977.
Regis made history for club and country when he became the third Black player to represent England after he was called up to face Northern Ireland in 1982. The forward is now remembered as one of West Brom’s all-time top scorers with 112 goals in 302 appearances.
Laurie Cunningham (1977-1979)
Appearances: 99
Goals: 26
Despite his short time at Albion, Laurie Cunningham made history as the first Black player to represent England at Under-21 level and for the senior team.
Indeed, the Baggies made history as the second English top-flight team to simultaneously field three black players in a game when Cunningham, Regis and Brendon Baston all took to the pitch.
Cunningham went on to become the first English player to sign for Real Madrid in the summer of 1979.
Ronnie Allen (1950-1961)
Appearances: 458
Goals: 234
Ronnie Allen signed for West Brom on 2 March 1950 for £20,000. This was a record fee for both Port Vale and Albion at the time. Allen went on to win the FA Cup in 1954 and the FA Charity Shield in the same year.
His feat of 458 appearances has put him eighth in the Baggies’ all-time top appearances list, while he is also known as their second-highest scorer.
Chris Brunt (2007-2020)
Appearances: 421
Goals: 49
Chris Brunt signed for the Albion from Sheffield Wednesday on 14 August 2007 and made his debut in a 2-0 home victory over Barnsley on 1 September 2007.
He enjoyed his most prolific goals-scoring season during the 2009/10 season with 13 goals in 43 appearances. Furthermore, he then became club captain in 2011 and continued until he relinquished captaincy to Darren Fletcher in 2015.
While his tenure saw two relegations and a defeat in the FA Cup semi-final, his goals helped West Brom seal promotion and the Championship in 2008.
Brunt continues to propel West Brom’s next generation as their current loan player manager.
Bob Taylor (1992-1998)
Appearances: 377
Goals: 131
Known as “Super Bob”, Bob Taylor was signed by the Baggies by former manager Bobby Gould to help boost their Third Division promotion hopes.
The striker went on to form a successful partnership with Andy Hunt when he arrived in 1993. Their partnership would last for several seasons, helping the Baggies to beat Portvale in the Division Two play-off final.
After a brief stint with Bolton Wanderers, Taylor returned to West Brom in 2000, netting on the final day against Charlton to keep the Baggies in the second division.
He went on to cement himself as an Albion legend during the 2001/02 campaign when his goal during a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace sealed their promotion to the Premier League for the first time.
Derek Statham (1976-1987)
Appearances: 316
Goals: 9
Derek Statham began his professional career with West Brom, amassing 316 appearances and scoring 9 goals.
The fullback spent 12 seasons at Albion playing alongside Regis, Cunningham and Robson in a legendary team put together by manager Ron Akinson. While he did not win any major trophies with the Baggies, he is remembered as an immense, solid defender by West Brom fans.
John Wile (1970-1983)
Appearances: 619
Goals: 24
John Wile joined West Brom from Peterborough United in December 1970 and went on to become one of their all-time capped players with 619 appearances.
The defender spent over a decade as club captain at Albion. One of his most iconic moments coming during the 1978 FA Cup semi-final game against Ipswich, when he played with blood gushing from a head injury.
He only won the Tennent Caledonian Cup during the 1977/78 season with West Brom. However, his fearless attitude continues to be remembered by fans.
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