The Hawthorns - Home of West Bromwich Albion FC

The Hawthorns is the home football stadium of West Bromwich Albion Football Club. It was the first football league ground to be built in the 20th Century.


Where is The Hawthorns?

The Hawthorns is at 9 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 4LF. It is the home stadium of West Bromwich Albion Football Club.

 

In brief

West Bromwich Albion Football Club was founded in 1878 and was one of the 12 founder members of the football league in 1888.  They moved to The Hawthorns in 1900.

The HawthornsThe Hawthorns from the Library of Birmingham (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Hawthorns - history of the build

West Bromwich Albion had several grounds from their founding in 1878 until their move to The Hawthorns in 1900.

Their first ground was at Cooper's Hill where they played their matches from 1878 to 1879.  They then moved to Dartmouth Park between 1879 to 1881. Their third ground was at Bunn's Field, known as The Birches during the 1881 - 1882 season. After that, they rented Four Acres from 1882 to 1885, which was also the home of West Bromwich Dartmouth Cricket Club. They moved again to Stoney Lane in 1885.

The move to The Hawthorns in 1900 was permenant, and they have been there for over 120 years!

The Hawthorns is located at Birmingham Road and Halfords Lane. It is also quite close to Middlemore Road in West Bromwich.

 

Main stands at The Hawthorns

There are four stands at The Hawthorns, including: the West Stand (built 1979 to 1982, refurbished in 2008), the Birmingham Road Stand (build 1994), the Smethwick End (built 1994) and the East Stand (built 2001).

Currently the stadium has a capacity of 26,688 people.

The Hawthorns WBA

The Hawthorns WBA

The Hawthorns WBA

The Hawthorns WBAThe Hawthorns in West Bromwich (December 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Tony 'Bomber' Brown statue

There is a statue of 'The Baggies' record appearance maker and goalscorer, Tony Brown outside of the East Stand. It was sculpted by Jonathan Wylder in 2014 and depicts Brown scoring his second goal during a win against Valencia in the last 16 tie of the 1978-79 UEFA Cup.

The Hawthorns WBATony Brown statue at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich (December 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Jeff Astle gates

These gates are on Birmingham Road, close to Woodman Corner. They are in memory of Jeff Astle (1942 - 2002) and shows Astle celebrating scoring his winning goal at the 1968 FA Cup Final.

The Hawthorns WBAJeff Astle gates at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich (December 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Transport to The Hawthorns

By car or coach to Birmingham Road

By bus on the no 74

By train to The Hawthorns Station

By tram to The Hawthorns Tram Stop

 

Contact details

West Bromwich Albion Football Club

The Hawthorns

9 Birmingham Road

West Bromwich

West Midlands

B71 4LF

0121 524 3470

Project dates

06 May 2021 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Sport & leisure, Modern Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com