With Wolves and West Brom facing off in the Black Country Derby on Sunday, both teams have issued a joint statement on fan behaviour.

It promises to be an exciting contest between two excellent teams that will give their all to win bragging rights before the three-week international break.

However, many people recall the unsavoury events that occurred the previous time Wolves and West Brom played in the FA Cup, with West Midlands Police issuing numerous arrests and even banning orders as a result of the violence.

With that in mind, both teams have released messages on their own club websites, warning fans that such behaviour would not be permitted again.

Wolves and West Brom make excellent starts to the season.

One of the most heated and emotional meetings on the EFL Championship calendar is approaching, with the two fierce rivals’ first league encounter since 2021 due to begin at midday on Sunday, with both hoping to maintain their good starts to the season.

Wolves, who were recently relegated from the Premier League, are hovering around the promotion picture, with a 1-0 success away at Sheffield United last week giving them three wins in their previous five league games and 11 points heading into the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Baggies have continued their impressive turnaround under James Morrison, gaining 14 points from their first seven games and building a challenge for promotion.

With this, there should be a lot of talent on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes, and the game will hopefully be remembered for what occurs on it rather than what happens off it.

Unsavoury supporter scenes in the last Wolves v West Brom match

While Wolves and West Brom have not played a league match since 2021, they did face off in the FA Cup in January 2024.

Wanderers went on to win 2-0 due to goals from Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha, but what transpired off the pitch was the news of the day, with supporters from both sides being violent against one another.

The crux of the matter was that several Wolves fans wound up among the home supporters at The Hawthorns, and violence erupted as the visitors doubled their lead with Cunha’s strike.

Fighting ensued near the area of the stands intended for the players’ families, and both sets of supporters threw missiles, causing the game to be suspended for 38 minutes.

Kyle Bartley, a former Albion defender, also left the field with a youngster in his arms and did not return for the remainder of the game.

Meanwhile, another supporter was led out of a home area with blood flowing down his face, and another fan was carried out of the stadium on a stretcher.

In the aftermath of such heinous incidents, 43 people were detained, 12 were convicted and sentenced by the courts, one Football Banning Order was issued, and five supporters received lifelong club bans.

Wolves and West Brom warn supporters about their actions in a joint statement.

Bitter rivals Wolves and West Brom have released a joint statement to their supporters ahead of the Black Country Derby on Sunday, asking them to be on their best behaviour and threatening lifetime bans for any troublemakers.

The statement reads: “The Black Country Derby is one of English football’s oldest rivalries, and it continues to be an important fixture for both clubs and their fans.

“For generations, matches between Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers have been played with great passion, generating remarkable experiences for both players and fans.

“On Sunday, around 30,000 supporters will gather at Molineux to celebrate another chapter in that rich history. Both clubs are committed to keeping the attention where it belongs: on the football and the atmosphere created by our fans.

“Following the last Black Country Derby in 2024, supporters who engaged in improper behaviour faced serious consequences. A total of 43 persons were detained, 12 were charged and sentenced by the courts, one Football Banning Order was issued, and five supporters were banned permanently from their clubs.

“These results show that unrest, violence, and illegal behaviour have serious implications and will be dealt with vigorously by both clubs and West Midlands Police.

“Supporters are reminded that anyone found engaging in violence, discriminatory behaviour, entering the pitch or trackside areas, throwing missiles, using pyrotechnics, or violating Ground Regulations may face arrest, prosecution, football banning orders, and long-term or permanent exclusion from their club.

“Both clubs have worked closely with the Safety Advisory Group, local authorities, and police to ensure that proper measures are in place for the game.

“Supporters can expect improved stewarding, enforcement, strong ticketing regulations, and extra safety measures meant to safeguard everyone attending the game while allowing both sets of supporters to enjoy the event.

“We also invite supporters to play their roles by:

Only use tickets that were obtained through legitimate methods and are eligible for use.
Sitting in the appropriate allocated home or away area. Anyone discovered attempting to gain admission or being in an inappropriate place may be denied entry or removed, and may face additional sanctions.
Following the orders of stewards and police officers.

Arriving on time to allow for security checks and stadium admission procedures.
Report any hazardous, discriminatory, or antisocial activity to the nearest steward or via the club’s reporting mechanisms.
When leaving the stadium, take the approved exit routes. After the final whistle, all Albion supporters must exit via Camp Street, while home supporters will be unable to reach the area behind the Steve Bull Stand. Follow the orders of the stewards and police authorities.

“The vast majority of Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers fans come to this game to enthusiastically and responsibly support their teams, and we are confident that will continue.

“Let’s ensure this Black Country derby is remembered for the football, the atmosphere and the passion in the stands.”

Wolves and West Brom remain determined to quell supporter unrest.

What is clear is that the scenes from the FA Cup match in 2024 cannot be repeated.

It is the most recent smear on English football, with similar hooliganism dating back to the 1970s and 1980s.

While there should be passion and animosity between the two sets of supporters, it should be controlled, as the FA Cup match demonstrated the dangers of going too far.

Hopefully, this statement will persuade supporters not to repeat such behaviour, as many are likely to be banned from football for life if they commit any offences on Sunday.

Such punishments are the only way normal order can be restored, and hopefully the latest instalment of the Black Country Derby can be remembered for what the players produce, not the supporters.