Founded all the way back in 1878 and one of the founding members of the Football League in 1888, West Bromwich Albion have been through it all. After some success in the late 1800's and early 1900's, The Albion have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. But the club has taken somewhat of a tumble in recent years, after a couple of relegations from the Premier League and a failure to recuperate and get back. After being deemed a "yo-yo club" by many, West Brom now find themselves etched in mediocrity in the depths of the Championship.
Eight managers have been and gone since New Years Day 2015, the longest serving of those being Tony Pulis who was in charge for nearly three years. Carlos Corberan is the current man in the hot seat, as West Brom look to regain Premier League citizenship and the Spaniard looks to cement himself as someone there to stay in the Black Country. Since taking over in October last year, Corberan has an impressive win percentage of 51.51% and no team has won as many points at home in the Championship in that span.
Whilst the Hawthorns has become a fortress, the atmosphere has turned rather subdued in recent times. Obviously average attendances have dropped since relegation to between 21-22,000, that was to be expected, but the stadium doesn't feel like its once jubilant and boisterous self in terms of fan engagement and passion.
But there are bigger problems higher up at the club, which reaches further than wins and losses. Controlling shareholder Guochuan Lai is a wanted man in the West Midlands and many fans have wanted him out the club for years now. And Lai is not making matters any easier for himself with his continued lack of presence at games, communication with the board of directors, and money that he is taking and not giving.
The financial parameters behind running a football club or complex and unbeknownst to the majority of casual fans but what the fans can understand is that Lai does not appear to have any longing interest in running the historic football club well. This season is the first time West Brom do not have the luxury of Premier League funding even via parachute payments for newly relegated sides since 2002. And this has been reflected in their summer spending during the transfer window which has left fans with a sour taste and an absence of optimism.
Lai's tenure at the Hawthorns has overseen a demise both on and off the field, and whilst all fingers point to the Chinese businessman, change still might not be around the corner.
What has frustrated baggies fans more is the lack of action during the summer window.
Centre half Dara O'Shea was offloaded to Burnley for just under £8 million, but the only permanent signing was forward Josh Maja on a free transfer, amongst a couple of loans.
Will West Brom have enough to make a playoff charge and get back to where they feel they belong in the top flight of English football? Or will they fade into the EFL abyss and become a club in turmoil?