A legend at West Bromwich Albion and an icon Wolverhampton Wanderers, Alistair Robertson is a rare footballer who can walk tall either side of a bitter Black Country divide. The tough-tackling Scot spent 18 years at Albion, gaining promotion under Johnny Giles and becoming a rock during the club's heyday from the mid-1970s alongside skipper John Wile. Ultimately Ron Atkinson's entertainers fell short, though not before they had blazed a trail at home and abroad and the likes of Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Bryan Robson had thrilled a nation. Robertson experienced early struggles under Don Howe and other managers earned his ire, including his nemesis Ron Saunders who forced him out of the club in tears. To rub salt into the wounds, he would miss out on a prized Scotland cap. Robertson recovered to lead an ailing Wolves to two divisional titles and a Wembley victory. But beyond the on-pitch aggression and dressing-room camaraderie, Robertson now reveals a calmer, more reflective side to his character.

Bill Howell grew up in North Wales as a West Brom fan after his dad bought him a Johnny Giles 10 shirt. That love affair continued in Cockermouth, Cumbria, at Liverpool University, on Aberdeen's Evening Express and the Sunday Mercury. To his horror, he spent nine years at the Birmingham Mail covering Aston Villa and the next five covering Wolves. Married to Jennifer they have three boys: William (14), George Cyrille (12) and Henry (10).