Bob bids for a seat at Albion

From the archive, first published Thursday 27th Jul 2000.

An Oldbury businessman and life-long West Brom fan has announced his plan to fight for election to the board of directors.

Bob Reader, owner of Reader Tool and Die Ltd, aims to join the board at the club AGM in September.

He says the Baggies need an influx of new, younger directors to guide the club to fame and glory in the Premiership.

The 51-year-old dad of four claims he can bring investment to the club and revamp the Baggies' commercial operations.

He said: "I've been an Albion fan all my life and come from three generations of devout Baggies supporters.

"I feel the club is badly run and the disruption behind the scenes reflects on the on-pitch performances.

"In order to get people to invest in the Albion, we need to make it as attractive a proposition as possible, otherwise people just won't want to know.

"Things will be right at the top if you can get things right at the bottom, so it is important for the playing side for the backroom situation to be healthy."

Bob, whose company employs 40 workers and has an annual turnover of £4m, has been involved in commercial sponsorship at the club for four seasons.

His bid has the backing of majority shareholder Graham Waldron and former chairman Tony Hale who stood down from the job last year to be replaced by Sheffield businessman Paul Thompson.

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