The Black Country derbies: 3.10.1999
WE turn the clock back 21 years to the end of the last millennium, when the Wolves and the Baggies faced each other in what was then called the First Division.
In the 1999-2000 season the Wolves and Albion first met on October 3, 1999 in front of 25,500 fans at Molineux. At that point the Baggies were undefeated, although they had won only two of their eight previous league games. Wolves’ form was more mixed – they had only won once and had lost three of the first eight fixtures.
Both sets Black Country fans had to settle for another draw. Wolves’ Ade Akinbiyi opened the scoring in the 41st minute, with Matt Carbon heading an equaliser for the Albion on 76 minutes.
The teams did not have to wait long for the rematch; they met at the
Hawthorns on October 31, 1999, and again the result was a 1-1 draw, Andy Mcdermott and Akinbiyi scoring.
Frustration
The season ended in frustration for Wolves, under manager Colin Lee, as for the second year running they finished in seventh place, just missing out on the play-offs. They finished the season: Played 46, Won 21, Drawn 11, Lost 14, For 64, Against 48, Points 74.
Albion endured a torrid season. Between November 27 and March 4 they won only one game, collecting just nine points from a possible 48 and leaving the club deep in the relegation mire. Manger Brian Little was shown the door and Cyrille Regis and Allan Evans stood in as caretakers until Gary Megson was appointed. He saved the sinking ship and steered the Baggies to safety and 21st place, just above the drop, with Walsall, Port Vale and Swindon Town going down.
Albion’s final tally was: Played 46, Won 10, Drawn 19, Lost 17, For 43, Against 60, Points 49.