Teammates of WBA legend in 80th birthday surprise

Tony 'Bomber' Brown, pictured in 1971, won the FA Cup and League Cup

Former teammates of West Bromwich Albion's record goal scorer Tony "Bomber" Brown surprised him with special messages ahead of his 80th birthday on Friday.

Tributes from a host of former and current players were played to him before he co-commentated for the BBC on this week's Baggies game at Norwich City.

Brown, who also made more appearances for the club than any other player, scored 279 goals in 720 games between 1963 and 1980 and won the League Cup in 1966 and the FA Cup in 1968. A statue honouring him was unveiled outside The Hawthorns in 2014.

Asked on air whether he was crying after the messages were broadcast on BBC Radio WM, he said: "I'm very close to it."

One of those paying tribute, Albion captain Jed Wallace, told him: "Just want to wish you a massive happy 80th birthday - absolute club legend on and off the pitch.

"Hope you have a great birthday and I'll see you soon."

Remembering Brown joining as an apprentice, Micky Fudge said: "Going back all them years in 1961 when we first signed together, who would have thought that you'd be still [associated with Albion]?

"You've turned out to be a fantastic ambassador for West Brom and you deserve all the plaudits you get."

Commentator Steve Hermon said it was "honestly an absolute privilege" to travel around the country with Brown (pictured), describing him as "a legend and a gentleman"

Brown, who scored a hat-trick in his first run-out in front of the Albion hierarchy, went on to be a coach with the Baggies and Birmingham City.

He was involved when the Baggies hosted celebrations at The Hawthorns for the club's 125th anniversary at a game against Derby County last month.

The club legend has been co-commentating on Albion matches on the radio for three decades, including more than 10 years with the BBC.

One of Brown's two captains Graham Williams said: "It's been a great honour to play with you, to be with you... and [I'm] proud to have been playing with you."

Brown's Albion captains John Wile (left) and Graham Williams were among those delivering birthday messages

The other captain, John Wile, stated: "What an incredible achievement, what an incredible person, a lovely man and a wonderful footballer for West Bromwich Albion."

Asked live on the radio on Wednesday, following the tributes, about his plan for Friday, Brown replied: "I'm taking my wife and my son out for a meal.

"I think [birthdays] are just numbers, but mind you, mine's a big one."

A statue honouring Bomber was unveiled outside The Hawthorns in 2014

The three-time Midlands Footballer of the Year finished the 1970/71 season as the old Division One top scorer with "an astonishing 28 goals from midfield", the Baggies said.

He scored "an all-important volley in his hometown of Oldham to fire the Baggies to promotion" in 1976 and played under Ron Atkinson "whose side narrowly missed out on the Division One title in 1979, but earned legendary status for their entertaining brand of football".

Former BBC Radio WM commentator alongside Brown, Rob Gurney, said: "Age is only a number and that definitely applies to you more than anybody else. Have a good one Bomber."