2004–05 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season

During the 2004–05 English football season, West Bromwich Albion competed in the FA Premier League.

Season summary

West Bromwich Albion managed to retain their Premiership status despite being in last place on Christmas Day. This was the first time in the history of the Premiership this had happened. Sunderland and Leicester City have since equalled this feat (Sunderland in 2013-14, Leicester in 2014-15), although they secured survival before the final day.

The relegation dog fight

Going into the final round of matches, no team was assured of relegation. In each of the last three weekends of the season, the team that was bottom of the table at the start of the weekend finished it outside the drop zone. The final round of the season on 15 May started with West Bromwich on the bottom, Southampton and Crystal Palace one point clear and Norwich City in the last safe spot and two points from the bottom. For the first time since the advent of the current Premier League in 1992–1993, no club was assured of relegation going into the final day. The final matchday was publicised by Sky Sports as "Survival Sunday", with accompanying promotional material advertising the last matchday like a title fight or epic movie blockbuster.

West Brom, who had been bottom of the table and eight points from safety at Christmas, did their part by defeating Portsmouth at home 2–0. Norwich, the only side to have their fate completely in their own hands, lost 6–0 at Fulham and went down. Southampton lost 2–1 at home to Manchester United. Palace, away to Charlton Athletic, were leading 2–1 after 71 minutes, but with eight minutes to go Jonathan Fortune equalised for the Addicks to relegate the Eagles. Thus, West Brom stayed up, and changed history, becoming the first club in Premiership history to avoid relegation after being bottom of the table at Christmas.

At the end of 90 minutes in all 4 matches, Sky cameras focused on the Hawthorns, as confirmation of other results began to filter through. Once the realisation dawned on the players and fans that survival had been achieved, a mass pitch invasion was sparked, with huge celebrations. The Portsmouth fans in the away end of the ground joined in the celebrations and party atmosphere, as, through losing 2-0 to West Brom, they had "helped" relegate arch-rivals Southampton. The defeat itself mattered little to Portsmouth, as they would be unable to improve on their 16th position due to 15th-placed Blackburn Rovers' greater points tally.

Squad

Squad at end of season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Russell Hoult 2 DF Riccardo Scimeca 3 DF Paul Robinson 4 DF Thomas Gaardsøe 5 DF Darren Moore[3] 6 DF Darren Purse 7 MF Jason Koumas 8 MF Jonathan Greening 9 FW Geoff Horsfield 10 MF Andy Johnson[4] 11 MF Zoltán Gera 12 MF Richard Chaplow 14 DF Martin Albrechtsen

No. Position Player 15 MF Kieran Richardson (on loan from Manchester United) 17 FW Rob Hulse 18 MF Lloyd Dyer 19 DF Neil Clement 20 MF Artim Šakiri 21 FW Kevin Campbell 24 DF Ronnie Wallwork 25 FW Nwankwo Kanu 28 GK Joe Murphy 29 GK Tomasz Kuszczak 33 MF Junichi Inamoto 34 FW Robert Earnshaw[5]

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 12 FW Scott Dobie[6] (to Millwall) 15 DF Sean Gregan (to Leeds United) 16 DF Cosmin Contra (on loan from Atlético Madrid) 18 MF Lloyd Dyer (on loan to Coventry City) 21 DF Larus Sigurdsson (retired) 22 DF Bernt Haas (to SC Bastia) 23 MF James O'Connor (to Burnley)

No. Position Player 26 DF Sékou Berthé (released) 27 DF James Chambers (to Watford) 30 GK Simon Miotto (released) 31 DF Phillip Midworth (to Burton Albion) 32 DF Adam Chambers (to Kidderminster Harriers) MF Simon Brown (to Mansfield Town) DF Lee Marshall (retired)

Statistics

Starting 11

Considering starts in all competitions^[7]

No. Pos Nat Name MS Notes 1 GK Russell Hoult 39 5 RB Darren Purse 24 14 CB Martin Albrechtsen 24 4 CB Thomas Gaardsoe 27 19 LB Neil Clement 38 11 RM Zoltan Gera 35 8 CM Jonathan Greening 34 Ronnie Wallwork has 22 starts 2 CM Riccardo Scimeca 30 Andy Johnson has 23 starts 3 LM Paul Robinson 31 25 CF Nwankwo Kanu 23 34 CF Robert Earnshaw 20 Geoff Horsfield has 20 starts Transfers In Riccardo Scimeca - Leicester City, 18 May, undisclosed[8] Martin Albrechtsen - København, 3 June, £2,700,000[9] Darren Purse - Birmingham City, 18 June, £750,000[10] Tomasz Kuszczak - Hertha BSC, 14 July, free[11] Jonathan Greening - Middlesbrough, 29 July, £1,250,000[12] Zoltán Gera - Ferencváros, 30 July, £1,500,000[13] Nwankwo Kanu - Arsenal, 30 July, free[14] Robert Earnshaw - Cardiff City, 30 August, £3,000,000 (rising to £3,620,000 depending on contractual incentives)[15] Cosmin Contra - Atlético Madrid, 31 August, season-long loan[16] Junichi Inamoto - Gamba Osaka, 31 August, £200,000[17] Kevin Campbell - Everton, 10 January, free[18] Kieran Richardson - Manchester United, 29 January, season-long loan[19] Richard Chaplow - Burnley, 31 January, £1,500,000[20] Out Phil Gilchrist - released, 10 May (later joined Rotherham United) Daniel Crane - released, 10 May (later joined Burton Albion) Joost Volmer - released, 10 May (later joined Den Bosch) Delroy Facey - released, 10 May[21] (later joined Hull City on 25 June[22]) Tamika Mkandawire - released, 10 May (later joined Hereford United on 9 July[23]) Mark Kinsella - released, 10 May (later joined Walsall on 27 July)[24] Lee Hughes - contract terminated, 9 August[25] Sean Gregan - Leeds United, £500,000 (rising to £750,000 dependent on appearances), 16 September[26] James Chambers - Watford, £250,000, 25 September[27] Scott Dobie - Millwall, £750,000, 8 November[28] Larus Sigurdsson - retired, 2 December[29] Simon Brown - Mansfield Town, 6 December, £50,000[30] Lloyd Dyer - Coventry City, three-month loan, 22 March[31] Lee Marshall - retired, 22 April[32] Bernt Haas - released, 21 January[33] (later joined Bastia) Rob Hulse - Leeds United, 9 February, season-long loan[34] Sékou Berthé - released, 9 February Simon Miotto - released, 9 February Adam Chambers - released, 9 February (later joined Kidderminster Harriers) James O'Connor - Burnley, £175,000, 24 March[35] Phillip Midworth - released (later joined Burton Albion on 11 February) Transfers in: £10,800,000 Transfers out: £1,675,000 Total spending: £9,125,000 Results West Bromwich Albion's result comes first Win Draw Loss Football League Cup Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers Round 2 21 September 2004 Colchester United Layer Road 1-2 (after extra time) 4,591 Horsfield 50 FA Cup Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers Round 3 8 January 2005 Preston North End Deepdale 2-0 13,005 Earnshaw 76, 83 Round 4 29 January 2005 Tottenham Hotspur The Hawthorns 1-1 22,441 Earnshaw 17 Round 4 Replay 12 February 2005 Tottenham Hotspur White Hart Lane 1-3 27,860 Kanu 12 Premier League West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur 25 August 2004 3 West Bromwich Albion 1–1 Tottenham Hotspur West Bromwich, West Midlands BST (UTC+01) Gera  3' Report Defoe  34' Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 27,191 Referee: Barry Knight Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion 11 September 2004 Liverpool 3–0 West Bromwich Albion Liverpool, Merseyside Gerrard  16' Finnan  42' Luis García  60' Report Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 42,947 Referee: Steve Dunn Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion 25 September 2004 Newcastle United 3–1 West Bromwich Albion Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyneside Kluivert  70' Milner  78' Shearer  86' Report Purse  63' Horsfield  87' Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 52,308 Referee: Mike Riley West Bromwich Albion v Norwich City 16 October 2004 West Bromwich Albion 0–0 Norwich City West Bromwich, West Midlands 15:00 BST Report Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 26,257 Referee: Phil Crossley Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion 23 October 2004 Crystal Palace 3–0 West Bromwich Albion Croydon, London Hall  5' Johnson  12', 50' Report Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 22,922 Referee: Matt Messias West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea 30 October 2004 West Bromwich Albion 1–4 Chelsea West Bromwich, West Midlands Report Stadium: The Hawthorns Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion 20 November 2004 Arsenal 1–1 West Bromwich Albion Islington, London Pirès  54' Report Earnshaw  79' Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 38,109 Referee: Howard Webb West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United 27 November 2004 West Bromwich Albion 0–3 Manchester United West Bromwich, West Midlands Report Stadium: The Hawthorns Birmingham City v West Bromwich Albion 18 December 2004 Birmingham City 4–0 West Bromwich Albion Birmingham, West Midlands 12:00 GMT (UTC) Savage  4' (pen.) Morrison  23' Heskey  30' Anderton  80' Report Stadium: St Andrew's Attendance: 28,880 Referee: Mike Riley West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool 26 December 2004 West Bromwich Albion 0–5 Liverpool West Bromwich, West Midlands Contra  39' Report Riise  17', 82' Sinama Pongolle  51' Gerrard  55' Luis García  89' Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 27,533 Referee: Rob Styles Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion 28 December 2004 Manchester City 1–1 West Bromwich Albion Manchester, Greater Manchester 15:00 Anelka  32' [ Report] Dunne  85' (o.g.) Gaardsoe  17' Stadium: City of Manchester Stadium Attendance: 47,177 Referee: Andy D'Urso West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United 3 January 2005 West Bromwich Albion 0–0 Newcastle United West Bromwich, West Midlands [ Report] Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 25,259 Referee: Neale Barry West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City 22 January 2005 West Bromwich Albion 2–0 Manchester City West Bromwich, West Midlands 17:15 Campbell  5' Wallwork  81' [ Report] Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 25,348 Referee: Graham Poll West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace 1 February 2005 25 West Bromwich Albion 2–2 Crystal Palace West Bromwich, West Midlands GMT (UTC) Campbell  82' Earnshaw  90' Report Sorondo  12' Johnson  47' Riihilahti  90' Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 25,092 Referee: Dermot Gallagher Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion 5 February 2005 Norwich City 3–2 West Bromwich Albion Norwich, Norfolk 15:00 GMT Fleming  45' Doherty  62' Francis  85' Earnshaw  41' Richardson  49' Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 24,292 Referee: Chris Foy West Bromwich Albion v Birmingham City 6 March 2005 West Bromwich Albion 2–0 Birmingham City West Bromwich, West Midlands 12:00 GMT (UTC) Clement  53' Campbell  64' Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 25,749 Referee: Steve Dunn Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion 15 March 2005 Chelsea 1–0 West Bromwich Albion Fulham, London Report Stadium: Stamford Bridge West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal 2 May 2005 West Bromwich Albion 0–2 Arsenal West Bromwich, West Midlands Report van Persie  66' Edu  90' Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 27,351 Referee: Neale Barry Everton 2-1 West Brom West Brom 1-0 Everton West Brom 4-1 Charlton West Brom 2-0 Portsmouth References ↑ "Megson sacked by West Brom". BBC News. 26 October 2004.  ↑ "Baggies appoint Robson as manager". BBC News. 9 November 2004.  ↑ Moore was born in Birmingham, England, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally through his parents and would make his international debut for Jamaica in 2006. ↑ Johnson was born in Bristol, England, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally and made his international debut for Wales in 1998. ↑ Earnshaw was born in Mufulira, Zambia, but was raised in Wales and made his international debut for Wales in 2002. ↑ Dobie was born in Workington, England, but also qualified to represent Scotland internationally and made his international debut for Scotland in 2002. ↑ http://www.11v11.com/teams/west-bromwich-albion/tab/players/season/2005 ↑ "Scimeca joins West Brom". BBC Sport. 18 May 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "Baggies sign Albrechtsen". BBC Sport. 2004-06-03. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "Baggies snatch Purse". BBC Sport. 2004-06-18. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "West Brom bag keeper". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 14 July 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "Greening joins West Brom". BBC Sport. 29 July 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "Albion bag Gera". BBC Sport. 2004-07-30. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "Baggies seal Kanu deal". BBC News. 30 July 2004.  ↑ "Earnshaw signs for Baggies". BBC Sport (BBC). 30 August 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "Baggies snap up Contra". BBC News. 31 August 2004.  ↑ "Inamoto signs for West Brom". BBC Sport. 31 August 2004. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "West Brom sign striker Campbell". BBC Sport. 10 January 2005. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "Man Utd winger signs for Baggies". BBC Sport. 29 January 2005. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "West Brom complete Chaplow deal". BBC Sport. 31 January 2005. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "Eight feel Baggies axe". BBC Sport. 2004-05-10. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "Tigers sign pair". BBC Sport. 2004-06-25. Retrieved 2007-06-06.  ↑ "Mkandawire joins Bulls". BBC News. 9 July 2004.  ↑ "Walsall swoop for Kinsella". BBC Sport article. 2004-07-27. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "Hughes contract cancelled". BBC News. 9 August 2004.  ↑ "Gregan seals Leeds move". BBC News. 16 September 2004.  ↑ "Hornets land Chambers". BBC News. 25 September 2004.  ↑ "Lions pip Preston in Dobie chase". BBC News. 8 November 2004.  ↑ "Baggies defender forced to retire". BBC News. 2 December 2004.  ↑ "Mansfield complete Brown capture". BBC Sport. 2004-12-06. Retrieved 2008-05-02.  ↑ "Dyer makes loan move to Coventry". BBC News. 22 March 2005.  ↑ "Marshall retires after leg injury". BBC Sport. 2005-04-22. Retrieved 25 August 2012.  ↑ "Haas parts company with West Brom". BBC News. 21 January 2005.  ↑ "Hulse completes Leeds loan switch". BBC News. 9 February 2005.  ↑ "O'Connor seals switch to Burnley". 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