It’s an exciting time to be a West Brom fan, as they push for promotion to the Premier League under the guidance of Carlos Corberan.
Of course, returning to the top-flight would be nothing new for the Baggies, as they’ve been up and down regularly over the years, with their best spell coming as they had eight consecutive years from 2010.
Craig Dawson was a bargain West Brom signing
There were many memorable moments for Albion in that period, and one player who made a big contribution was Craig Dawson.
Craig Dawson endures mixed spells after West Brom success
Dawson’s time at Vicarage Road was short-lived, as he struggled to make a positive impact as the side were relegated during his only season there.
The experienced centre-back would get another Premier League switch though, as he joined West Ham, and it’s a move that revitalised his career.
Dawson would feature regularly for David Moyes over the next few years, and it was a remarkable journey, as they qualified for Europe, and the ex-Rochdale man became a cult hero after some outstanding performances, whilst he also scored in a historic win at Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final.
Craig Dawson Career Stats (Source: Transfermarkt) | ||||
Club | Appearances | |||
Rochdale | 94 | |||
Bolton Wanderers | 16 | |||
West Brom | 225 | |||
Watford | 31 | |||
West Ham United | 87 | |||
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 45 |
Dawson’s standing among West Brom fans took a hit following his move to Wolves in January 2023, despite not directly switching clubs, which is rare in modern football. The tension was palpable when the two teams met in the FA Cup after over a decade, with Dawson receiving boos from some sections of the crowd. A humorous moment before the match added to the spotlight on him, but ultimately, Dawson’s new team, Wolves, emerged victorious, winning at The Hawthorns for the first time in decades.
Ultimately, Dawson put his career first by joining Wolves, and it’s a decision that has worked out, as he has featured regularly and managed to move closer to his family after living in London.
One knock-on effect was that it tarnished his reputation in the eyes of some West Brom fans, but his comments earlier this year about how he ‘really enjoyed’ beating his former clubs suggests it’s something Dawson can live with.
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