Darren Moore has been sacked by West Bromwich Albion tonight…

After less than 12 months in the job as head coach.

And with West Brom 4th in the Championship.

This wasn’t the post I was planning tonight…

But, as a life-long supporter and follower of the team, I find this decision totally unbelievable…

And, to be perfectly honest…

Totally unacceptable.

In his short tenure at the club, Darren Moore has shown nothing but commitment and loyalty to the club.

He has been 100% professional…

Added some integrity to a sport sadly lacking in that quality…

And brought a smile back to the faces of many long-suffering supporters.

He hasn’t once complained about refereeing decisions…

Hasn’t once criticised any of his players…

Hasn’t once criticised anyone working at the club…

Hasn’t once complained about the lack of resources and funds offered to him by the owner.

What he has done…

Is bring a human touch back to this once great club…

And indeed to football as a whole.

Darren Moore has shown total respect for every single person working at West Bromwich Albion…

But has been treated with a complete lack of respect by the club.

Darren Moore turned this club around in a very short time…

Despite his lack of experience as a manager.

He took on the job, with the team at it’s lowest point for many a year…

And transformed it.

He’s certainly made mistakes…

And he’ll certainly make some more…

But he’s learning…

So mistakes are inevitable.

Mistakes are essential for his growth and that of the team.

Sadly, football club owners rarely have the patience to keep someone in place for long enough to develop and grow.

Sadly, they expect miracles…

But aren’t prepared to back their managers with the funds required to properly strengthen the team.

If they wanted immediate success, they should have appointed a manager with a proven track record…

Not someone who had only managed a handful of games.

Darren Moore has been treated, in my opinion, incredibly badly and unfairly…

And I believe the club will live to regret this decision.

Darren…

I for one, appreciate everything you have done for this club over the years…

And in particular during your short spell as Head Coach.

Keith Jones
Living a Life of Purpose