Today marks 25 years to the day since Albion played their last game at the Goldstone Ground.
The 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers, secured by Stuart Storer’s close-range goal, was one of the most important results in the club’s history as it meant Albion only had to avoid defeat in the final Division Three match at Hereford United the following week to preserve their Football League status. They did so with a 1-1 draw but manager Steve Gritt acknowledges that the home form that season was crucial to Albion’s survival.
Gritt was the special guest at a dinner at the Amex on Friday which was also attended by several of the players who played for the club that season. On Sunday, he got a fantastic reception from the Amex crowd when he and some of the players from that season were introduced to supporters during Sunday’s Premier League match against Southampton.
Gritt had fond memories of playing at the Goldstone as a player for Charlton and knew home form would be crucial after he took over in December 1996 and Albion soon found themselves 11 points adrift of safety.
“The home record was ridiculous when you think about it, to win ten games and draw the other two,” he said.
"The amazing thing for me looking back 25 years is how we didn’t win a game away from home. Thankfully we got some points towards the end, including one at Cambridge the week before Doncaster.
“Everyone knows that the Goldstone was a special ground. I played there for Charlton and had some good experiences and some bad, but when there was a big crowd in there it had a really good atmosphere. Thankfully we were allowed more fans in that day – over 12,000 – and that enhanced the atmosphere.
By the time Storer struck, both sides had been reduced to ten men with Albion striker Ian Baird and Doncaster defender Darren Moore both sent off.
“Darren was always going to be a danger at set-plays so it probably helped in some way, but it wasn’t a tactic! I was disappointed Ian got sent off," said Gritt.
Supporters flooded onto the pitch at the end to grab souvenirs as the Goldstone, which had been the club’s home since 1902, shut its doors. Albion’s long-term future was uncertain, but Gritt’s focus was solely on Hereford in seven days.
“It was a very emotional day for those who had seen the club play for years and years but we had Hereford to think about," he said. "What I’ll always remember about that day is having a bath afterwards in the lovely old-fashioned team bath and all you could hear was banging and thumping outside.
"It was unbelievable to walk out onto the pitch at 6pm and basically see nothing. I probably should have taken something myself, but that was for the supporters who had been going God knows how many years.”