Rewarding loyalty in the era of TV billions

Outside the Hawthorns stands a statue to The Bomber. Not the Bavarian one, he of the 72 goals in the 68 internationals, but the Black Country one, whose statistics were pretty impressive too.

Tony ‘Bomber’ Brown. Seventeen years on the books at West Bromwich Albion. Made 574 appearances, hit 218 goals. FA Cup winner, League Cup winner, Division One top scorer in 1970-71, one England cap.

Didn’t desert the Baggies when they were relegated in 1973 either, instead hanging around and helping them return in 1976.