Walsall FC have always had an excellent relationship with their nearest neighbours West Bromwich Albion FC down the years with The Baggies allowing many players to join Walsall on loan.

During World War Two they allowed no less than nine first team regulars and three reserves to guest for The Saddlers. Albion have always provided teams to play in money-spinning pre-season friendly and testimonial games however perhaps their most generous-ever gesture occured in the 1969-1970 season when, due to the terrible weather conditions and the big freeze which occured that winter and took its toll on games staged at Fellows Park, they kindly offered, with approval from the Football League, to stage a Third Division ‘home’ game between Walsall and Brighton And Hove Albion at their Hawthorns ground to help the cash flow situation Walsall had found themselves in with this period of inactivity.

The game was originally scheduled to have have taken place on Valentines Day but again fell foul to the weather so it took place on Wednesday 25th February 1970 under the Hawthorns floodlights.This is the only time in Walsall’s near 125 year history that they have staged a competitive ‘home’ fixture out of the borough. The attendance on the night was a healthy 7,535 however the result was a disaster as Brighton ran out 3-0 winners but more importantly they club received some much-needed income with no less than seven successive first and second team games being postponed at Fellows Park.

Even the Albion fans rallied round and a cheque for £100 was presented by the West Bromwich Albion Supporters Club to help out The Saddlers in their hour of need. To save on costs, Walsall produced a supplement sheet which was inserted into the original matchday programme which included a thank you message to our very good friends and neighbours from West Brom.