Express & Star

West Brom to honour Chris Brunt with banner

West Brom fans will be unfurling a new banner at the Hawthorns on Saturday in honour of Chris Brunt.

Published

Making a statement of support for the long-serving Northern Irishman, who was hit with a coin at Reading on Saturday, fans clubbed together to pay for the flag.

It measures 8.5metres long and stands 1.5metres tall and reads in big capital letters 'BRUNTY, ONE OF US' with a picture of the Northern Irishman.

Organised by a London supporters' group, it will be unfurled in the Smethwick End in the first-half.

There are plans to then move it to the Birmingham Road End for the second half in order to show the club's collective support for the 31-year-old.

One of the organisers, 24-year-old Bobby Qureshi, said: "The main point was to show that everybody was shocked by what happened at the weekend.

"It was completely and utterly disrespectful to do that to somebody who is a servant to our club.

"We just wanted to show we're 100 per cent behind him. That one act doesn't define us as fans."

Designed by a professional graphic designer, supporters raised the £490 needed to pay for the banner in just a few hours online. Extra money raised is being donated to the Astle Foundation.

The club agreed to allow the banner into the ground for Saturday's 5.30pm Premier League kick-off against Crystal Palace.

Mr Qureshi said: "We wanted to make a bold statement. What happened is not a representation of West Brom fans by any means. This is the real West Brom.

"We haven't decided what we'll do with it afterwards but options include displaying the flag at future games, handing it over directly to Chris Brunt, or auctioning it off for charity."

Another group of fans have organised a bucket collection outside The Hawthorns for a charity of Brunt's choosing, and the club have put the left-back on the cover of the match-day programme.

There are also plans to sing his name in the 11th minute to match his shirt number.

Thames Valley Police have arrested a man in relation to a coin-throwing incident at the Madejski Stadium last Saturday.

Brunt has made more than 300 appearances for Albion since joining from Sheffield Wednesday.

See the design and donate to the cause here.

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