We look back at West Bromwich Albion’s record on Halloween.
West Bromwich Albion’s first match on Halloween was in 1891, when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Notts County. The result was a sign of things to come, with Albion drawing nine of their 22 Halloween fixtures, including a 3-3 draw with Birmingham City in 1981 and a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1999.
Albion’s most recent match on October 31 was the 3-2 defeat against Leicester City last season. Tony Pulis’s men went 1-0 up courtesy of a Salomon Rondon opener but a nightmare second half saw the Foxes turn the game around.
Riyad Mahrez bagged a brace and Jamie Vardy scored for the eighth game in a row to give Claudio Ranieri’s side all three points. A late Rickie Lambert penalty proved only to be a consolation.
Before that, The Hawthorns crowd were treated to an emphatic 5-0 win over Watford in 2009. Jonas Olsson, Graham Dorrans, Luke Moore, Gianni Zuiverloon and Simon Cox all got on the score sheet, as Albion terrified the Hornets defence. The result saw Roberto Di Matteo’s men jump to the top of the Championship table.
Albion supporters will also fondly remember their 1-0 win at Selhurst Park during the 2001/2 campaign. Bob Taylor grabbed the decisive goal to end Crystal Palace’s impressive run of home wins. In the reverse fixture, the Baggies would be battling for promotion to English football’s top flight.
West Brom have been on the wrong end of some frightening Halloween results. Albion had started their 1953/4 campaign in tremendous fashion, winning 12 of their opening 15 matches. Vic Buckingham’s side had won five matches in a row before a nightmare 4-1 defeat to Blackpool on Halloween.
In 1973, West Brom were knocked out of the League Cup by Exeter City. The Baggies had got past Sheffield United in the previous round but Don Howe’s men were handed a shock 3-1 defeat by the Division Four side.
Overall, West Brom have had a mixed bag of results on Halloween, with a record of six wins, nine draws and seven defeats.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
