Baggies expert earns stripes on Mastermind

Steve Jones, aged 49, chose the Baggies as his specialist subject when it was his turn to sit in the famous black chair.

His stellar performance didn't let the team down, with 11 out of 12 questions put to him being answered correctly.

Mr Jones, who is now a supply teacher at St Michael's First School in Penkridge, said: "I think I did them proud.

"I have been a fan since 1971 and used to be a season ticket holder.

"I am a fourth-generation fan so that is where I get some of the knowledge from."

The father of three, from Amington in Tamworth, says his appearance was exciting and seemed to go by in the blink of an eye.

His general knowledge round wasn't as strong as the special subject, but he still left with a respectable 20 points.

Had he advanced to the final, he says Winston Churchill would have been his chosen subject.

He said: "It took a long time to decide what my subject was going to be.

"You can't pick something too wide or something too narrow, or something that has been done recently.

"My first choice was Blackadder, but that had been done.

"I chose The Beatles, but was told I could only have Paul McCartney.

"A friend suggested I do the Baggies and that fitted all the criteria." Despite his extensive and comprehensive knowledge of the Baggies, Mr Jones did get question wrong in the first round.

When he was asked who was the first player to get 100 league goals, Mr Jones said Frederick Buck, when the answer was in fact Fred Morris.

Friday night's appearance wasn't the first quiz show Mr Jones has been on. He also took part in Channel 4's Fifteen to One earlier this year.

He said: "When I stepped down from my role as a headteacher, I decided to try and get on some TV quiz shows. I have always enjoyed a challenge and when I found I had a little bit more time on my hands doing supply work, I applied for a few. Mastermind is one of the best and I feel I did a good job," he said.