Features
Away days: West Bromwich Albion
Written by Rory Mitchinson
Scheduled to be the Toon Army’s only midweek trip of the 2017/18 Premier League campaign, Newcastle take on West Bromwich Albion at the end of November. Here, we give you the lowdown on the Baggies’ home ground, the Hawthorns…
Club: West Bromwich Albion
Stadium: The Hawthorns
Capacity: 26,500
Distance from St. James’ Park: 209 miles
Previous Premier League visits: Ten (Four wins, three draws, three defeats)
With Aston Villa, Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers all failing to mount a promotion challenge in the Championship last term, West Brom remain the West Midlands’ only top-flight representative. The Baggies returned to the Premier League alongside Newcastle in 2010, and have remained there ever since.
Though they suffered a narrow defeat last time out, the Magpies have fared reasonably well at the Hawthorns in recent years, picking up memorable wins in 2009, 2012 and 2014. Meetings between the two sides – wherever they may be – tend to produce goals. Not since the 2004/05 campaign have they contested a goalless draw, with their last stalemate before that coming all the way back in 1924.
Known for being the highest ground above sea level among those in the Premier League and the EFL, the Hawthorns has been West Brom’s home since 1900. The ground was so named after the hawthorn bushes that covered the area previously, and were cleared to make way for it.