West Bromwich Albion mourns club president

THE club president of West Bromwich Albion, John Silk has died after a short illness. Silk, 89, was a well known figure within the Black Country business community having founded law firm Silks Solicitors and been involved with aerospace group Hampson Industries.

A minute’s applause in his memory was held before the club’s Premier League game with Newcastle on New Year’s Day – a game the club went on to win 1-0. Flags at The Hawthorns were also lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect.

Silk became the 15th chairman of West Bromwich Albion when he succeeded Sid Lucas in August 1988. He had followed his brother Tom, who was tragically killed in an air crash in 1980, onto the Albion board in 1984.

The club said his elevation to the role of chairman came with Albion at a low ebb. It was his job to try to bring stability to what were difficult times. The club was in financial difficulties, having already sold its Spring Road training ground, and had to contend with rapidly falling attendances plus relegation to English football’s third tier for the first time.

Despite these difficulties, it said he helped restore comparative stability to the club’s finances, although the drop in status meant difficult decisions being made, including the sale of Don Goodman towards the end of 1991.

Albion said the seeds for the club’s recovery were sown the following January when Silk sanctioned the £300,000 purchase of Bob Taylor.

He stepped down as chairman at the end of the 1991/92 campaign and was replaced by Trevor Summers. Albion said he left the club in a healthier financial state than when he was appointed chairman, allowing it to continue through the nineties before flourishing in the Barclays Premier League.

His association with the club continued and he was made club president – succeeding the late Sir Bert Millichip – in early 2003. He remained a committed supporter of the club, regularly attending both home and away matches.

The club said his passing marked the end of an era at the Hawthorns.

Chairman Jeremy Peace said: “John was very proud to be club president and took his duties very seriously.

“Until his illness, he was a constant presence at home and away matches. Notably, he was in attendance for our 2-1 win at Old Trafford in September.

“John was a quiet but very honourable man and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”