Albion and September 11

11 September 2002

WBA England flag at Ground Zero

A dire warning?

Photos: Chris Saunders

I'm not normally one to bore people with holiday snaps, but there were a couple from my recent trip to the States that I thought might just be of interest to readers.

While in New York, I couldn't resist taking a quick look at the site of the September 11th attack - now known as Ground Zero - and although there isn't a great deal to see there as it's now surrounded by fencing and workmen, while looking at the tributes adorning the railings around the church just opposite, one tribute really stood out. In pride of place by the corner nearest the centre of the site is a large England flag with the words "West Brom" and "Birmingham England" written across it and a whole load of signatures from Albion and Birmingham City fans. Even the Zulus, who I never thought worthy of a mention on these pages again, had signed it - well done to all those involved.

Having taken off on the 10th, my return flight landed on the morning of September 11th. After a night of travelling, and only small amounts of sleep, I wandered blearily around the Arrivals section at Birmingham only to be stopped in my tracks by a Central News team asking me what I thought of flying on the 11th. After a few garbled mumblings about there not being much of a fuss about it on the plane, they asked if I'd chosen the date for a particular reason. "Yeah - West Brom are playing at West Ham tonight" I replied, at which point I'm sure I heard the faint click of the camera being switched off...

Finally, we spotted a shop being redeveloped just off the coast of Clearwater, Florida. Exactly what it's going to be selling when it opens is anybody's guess, as there was no visible evidence of Albion shirts or other merchandise. Maybe it was just a warning to the other Premiership sides - or to Rodney Marsh and Danny Baker....?

Previous Stories:

  30 August 2002:  Not one, but two!

  28 August 2002:  Koumas fee agreed (again)

  26 August 2002:  Sneekes goes Danish

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