On his 37th birthday, we remember Gareth McAuley’s time at West Bromwich Albion.
32-year-old rookie
In the summer of 2011, Roy Hodgson undertook a revamping of West Bromwich Albion’s squad, bringing in six players and moving out just as many. The marquee arrivals of Ben Foster, Shane Long and Zoltan Gera were supported by the low-key free transfer signings of Billy Jones, Marton Fulop and Gareth McAuley.
Perhaps the most inconspicuous of the bunch, 32-year-old McAuley would step up to the Premier League for the first time in his career, joining from Championship side Ipswich Town.
After waiting 15 years to reach the top flight, McAuley would be made to wait a little longer for his West Brom debut. As Hodgson elected to start the 2011/12 campaign with his trusted back four of Steven Reid, Jonas Olsson, Gabriel Tamas and Nicky Shorey.
A three-match ban handed to Tamas for an elbow on Norwich’s James Vaughan saw Craig Dawson called to the starting line-up – ahead of McAuley – for Albion’s trip to Swansea. The change did not go to plan with the Baggies on the end of a 3-0 battering at the Liberty Stadium. In need of results, Hodgson turned to McAuley to solve his mini-defensive crisis.
McAuley’s impact was immediate. The commanding centre-back helped Albion to a clean sheet and his performance won him a regular spot in Hodgson’s side. McAuley would go on to play in all but one of the Baggies’ remaining 33 fixtures. This impressive run included a memorable winner to hand West Brom their first win over Chelsea in 21 attempts.
Magnificent McAuley
McAuley excelled in his second season at West Brom. His partnership with Jonas Olsson brought stability to Steve Clarke’s attack-mind side. The likes of Shane Long, Peter Odemwingie and Romelu Lukau helped fire the Baggies to a record high finish of eighth place, but it was McAuley’s consistency at the back which would earn him the player-of-the-year award.
Despite his efforts on the field, a contract dispute threatened to end his time at the Hawthorns. Reports suggested West Brom had offered the defender a new two-year deal with terms that would see his wages decrease over time.
With pressure from Clarke, the players and the fans, Albion’s hierarchy finally agreed a new two-year deal with McAuley in May of 2013.
Tough times
The following season was a struggle for West Brom. After failing to score in their opening three games, it was McAuley who stepped up for the Baggies and headed home late equaliser against Fulham to get their season off the ground.
Steve Clarke’s torrid 2013 ended in his dismissal and Pepe Mel came in as his replacement. Things didn’t improve greatly under the Spaniard, who struggled to come to terms with the language barrier. Just as worryingly, his ill-judged attempt to install a high defensive line threatened to expose McAuley’s and Olsson’s achilles heel – their lack of pace.
In this confused situation, Albion’s experienced staff and players – McAuley included – were vital in dragging the club to Premier League survival.
Irvine issues
McAuley’s fourth manager at West Brom was not his biggest fan.
Under Alan Irvine, McAuley fell behind Joleon Lescott and Craig Dawson in the pecking order. McAuley sat out the opening fourteen games before a run of four successive defeats provoked Irvine to recall the ex-Ipswich man.
McAuley stepped in and showed Irvine what he was missing; helping Albion to back-to-back clean sheets. However, McAuley’s return to the side wasn’t enough to rescue Irvine’s job, and Tony Pulis soon took the helm.
Mistaken Identity
This managerial change galvanised West Brom and McAuley. The ex-Lincoln City man kept his place in this side, as Pulis got the best out of the Baggies experienced defenders with a well-drilled, rigid and deep defensive shape.
The only disruption to McAuley’s season half of the season came when he was mistaken for Craig Dawson and sent off within 89 seconds of Albion’s trip to the Manchester City.
The following season, it was more of the same under Pulis. McAuley was joined by fellow Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans, and they formed a solid partnership to lead the club to eleven clean sheets.
Still going strong
Now the oldest outfield player in the Premier League, McAuley is showing no signs of slowing. He has played in every minute of West Brom’s campaign so far – including 120 minutes in the EFL Cup against Northampton.
Amazingly, McAuley continues defy the typical expectations of an ageing footballers. In fact, he seems to get improve with time, using his effortless composure and excellent reading of the game to consistently deliver performances in the fast-paced and unforgiving Premier League.
He also serves as a reminder that professionalism, hard-work and character can turn a good player into a great one; and a relatively obscure free transfer into a club legend.
That is why Gareth McAuley is a modern day Albion hero.
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