Why the Black Country derby means so much to Wolves and West Brom

The Black Country derby, a fixture that dates back to the very inception of English football in 1888, is set to take place between Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion for the first time in more than five years. The derby, which has witnessed moments of both triumph and tragedy, holds immense significance for both fanbases.

From Steve Bull's first derby goal in 1989 to Peter Odemwingie's hat-trick in 2012, and the infamous 5-1 defeat in 2012 that led to Wolves manager Mick McCarthy's dismissal, the rivalry has sparked numerous memorable encounters over the years. The 2022 derby, being the first to be played live in front of fans at Molineux since 2012, adds to its importance.

Both managers, Cesar Peixoto and James Morrison, are aware of the mental pressure the derby brings and have urged their players to approach the game with passion and strategic thinking. The upcoming clash presents an opportunity for both teams to avenge past defeats and assert their dominance in the Black Country derby.