Wolves and West Brom fans hope to be back in the ground for return of Black Country derby

But Wolves and Albion will renew their historic rivalry in the Premier League next season.

Hopefully, fans will be allowed to attend the games which will take place at Molineux on January 16 and at The Hawthorns on May 1.

With the country still grappling with coronavirus, top-flight chiefs have done their best to arrange the fixtures for as late as possible in the season to give supporters the best chance of being there.

And it’s fair to say both sets are fans are desperate to get one over their rivals and come away with the bragging rights.

Baggies fan David Fox, an accountant from Great Barr, admits he can’t wait for the games.

“It really is exciting to be playing Wolves again,” he said. “Local derbies are always great – the passion and the atmosphere in the stadium there’s absolutely nothing like it.

“There may be some young fans that have never experienced a derby with our main rivals so to finally be able to share that is great.

“I can’t imagine these matches being like the ones in the past with the full blooded challenges or us steam-rolling ahead, but it really is exciting to see what the season brings!”

Matt Cooper, who works in marketing, is a Wolves fan but lives in West Brom.

He said: “The Black Country derby was the first fixture I looked for when the fixtures were announced and I’m already starting to feel nervous.

“However, for the first time in years, I’m feeling super optimistic going into the games as Wolves are by far and away the more superior side.

“Living in West Brom, it can be tough being a Wolves fan and I’ve already had Albion fans say they’re ‘coming for us’, which I find hard to believe. I just hope we can get some fans inside the ground so we can give ‘them lot down the road’ some long-awaited stick.”

Wolves supporter Adam Virgo, from Dudley, added: “It won’t be the same due to everything that’s going on, but I am excited the Black Country derby is returning.

“We play them in January and May so we can only hope some supporters will be back as a fixture like that deserves fans to be there.

“It’s a game that fans of both clubs will look forward to considering we haven’t played each other since 2012.

“Hopefully this time around we can get the better of them.”

Baggies superfan Alistair Jones, from Sedgley, said: “We’ve got Villa and them lot (Wolves) within a week of each other at the end of April start of May which will be fun.

“I’m just grateful they are later in the season as I think fans will be in by then.

“I think the Premier League deserve some credit for arranging them for as late as possible in the season.

“They’ll be tough games but I’m confident we will do well in them and that, overall, we can have a good year.

“The top eight teams in the Premier League are strong but the rest are a much of a muchness.”