West Brom owners Bilkul praised by director

That was exemplified with Bilkul board member Ashish Patel, chief operating officer of the group and cousin of owner Shilen, getting stuck in with his family with some of stars of Albion's thriving Foundation on display.

The club's annual Foundation Day did a stellar job of putting the excellent Albion Foundation on display in and around The Hawthorns on Saturday. A year or so on from being named Community Club of the Year at the EFL awards, the work of a committed group of staff continues to make a difference to the region and those less fortunate.

On show prior to kick-off against Sunderland, in the Foundation's excellent sports hall facility on Halford's Lane, were members of Albion's top-level powerchair and blind teams in front of very impressed onlookers.

It was good fun to see Ashish mucking in while trying to manoeuvre his powerchair, a specifically-enhanced longer wheelchair used to hit an over-sized football at goal, in action. The club's managing director Mark Miles was also showing off his steering skills. The duo's attempts very much hit home the ability on show as young players in chairs with them played stylishly with ease.

Foundation director Rob Lake leads the department and explained to the Express & Star just how much guidance and collaboration from the top of the club has improved since Bilkul's takeover in February 2024.

"I've been in this game for 25 years and not just at this club," Lake said.

"The contact I've had with the ownership in the 12 months they have been at this club is like on another level to what I have had in all of that time.

"It's just so refreshing. They are really good people and are genuinely interested. They see that it is not just about three o'clock on a Saturday, it is about much more, it is about a community and what West Bromwich Albion brings to the local area, so it is great."

It is understood Lake is in weekly contact with members of Bilkul, whom tend to have one board member at each Albion fixture. Ashish and his family were in place on Foundation day, with his daughter and nieces and nephews, all in pink Albion away kits, buzzing around the sports hall getting involved.

They were also mascots for the first-team clash against Sunderland.

After the powerchair exhibition it was time to witness the breath-taking ability of Albion and England blind football star Eesa Amjid. He thrilled those watching on with awe-inspiring close control and finishing ability that would not be out of place at any level.

It was no surprise Eesa made light work of seeing off former Baggies midfielder and club commentator Andy Johnson in a blind penalty shootout at half-time against Sunderland.

"We have Foundation Day every season and this year's theme was 'see us to believe us', it's all about people seeing the amazing skills and talent our powerchair talent and blind footballers have as well," Lake added.

"Because it's one thing seeing it, but you try it in a chair or with a blindfold your admiration and respect will go through the roof.

"We've had Mark Miles and Ashish Patel here and they have been amazing with us, we want to raise that profile. We've got world class players playing internationally.

Albion's powerchair side were National League and FA Cup double-winners last season. The blind team, for whom head coach Paul Glover departed last week, were FA Cup winners and have added a league title this season, as well as making the cup final. The teams are on track to secure a unique 'double double'.

West Bromwich Albion Blind play home matches at ThePoint4 outdoor pitch on Venns Lane in Hereford and have a home match on Saturday (10.45pm kick-off).

The Foundation boasts a range of six powerchair teams across the three West Midlands divisions.