The Black Country derby: Oct 15, 1989
THE 1980s were not a happy time for either of the Black Country’s two big clubs. Wolves had plumbed the depths of the Fourth Division, while Albion dropped from the top flight and did not look likely to make a return any time soon.
However, October 15, 1989 was a day to celebrate – it was the first Black Country derby in five years. Wolves had made their way back to Division 2, where they met the Albion at the Hawthorns. The two line-ups were: Albion: Stuart Naylor, Darren Bradley, Daryl Burgess, Brian Talbot, Stacey North, Chris Whyte, Mark Barham, Don Goodman, James
Thomas, Bernard Mcnally, Tony Ford. Gary Robson, Kevin Bartlett.
Wolves: Mark Kendall, Gary Bellamy, Mark Venus, Floyd Streete, Shane Westley, Nigel Vaughan, Andy Thompson, Michael Gooding, Steve Bull, Andy Mutch, Robbie Dennison. Subs: Keith Downing, John Paskin.
It was a fateful day– it was the first time that Steve Bull had returned to the Hawthorns since he left the club to join Wolves, and of course he scored the winning goal.
Albion had the run of play in the first half and player-manager Brian Talbot opened the scoring with a fine volley.
Shortly before halftime Albion’s goalkeeper Stuart Naylor was harshly booked for time wasting and Wolves Robbie Dennison scored from the free kick.
The second half was evenly matched. Andy Mutch blasted into the net but the goal was chalked off for a handball in the build-up. Andy Thompson brought down Tony Ford in the box for a penalty 10 minutes from full time. Bernard Mcnally took the spot-kick but Mark Kendall saved it.
In the last minute of the match the Albion defence left Bull with acres of space in front of goal – he latched on to a cross from Mutch and fired it into the back of the Baggies’ net.
Final score 2-1 to Wolves in front of 21,316 fans.