The top 50 Albion players to don the blue and white stripes as written by by Gavin Mcowan in his book The Essential History of West Bromwich Albion, which is available from most good book stores. Here we give you the break down on those 50 players, in albeit a limited version.

Foreword: How does one begin to compare the brilliant Billy Bassett, one of the games first ever superstars in the 19th century and never captured on film, to the genius of Laurie Cunningham a century later? Who was the better striker: Allen, Astle or Regis? Even those lucky enough to have seen all three at their best have differing opinions. No doubt you'll take issue with some of the rankings, yet I'm sure all the players here will have a place in the heart of every Baggies fan.

No. 1 Tony Brown (Midfield/Forward)

720- Appearances, 279 goals. Albion's record goal scorer, appearance maker and greatest-ever servant. A brilliant marksman and all- round player, Bomber Brown is Mr West Bromwich Albion. (Pictured left)

No. 2 Billy Bassett (Right Winger)

311 appearances 77 goals. One of the games first ever greats of English football, Bassett was a memorizing winger with electric pace and breathtaking skill. He later became chair man, serving the club with distinction for 30 years.

No.3 Ronnie Allen (Centre Forward)

458 appearances, 234 goals. The key player in Albion's brilliant 1950's side, Allen was an intelligent, lethal striker who was away head of his time- which was the reason he won so few England caps.

No. 4 Jesse Pennington (Left back)

496 appearances, no goals. 'peerless' Pennington was one of the greatest English full backs of all time, who won 25 caps for his country, more than any other Albion player.

No. 5 Jeff Astle (Centre Forward)

361 appearances, 174 goals. The recently- departed and much- loved will always be king for many Albion fans. A magnificent striker who was one of the best headers of the ball of all time.

No. 6 Cyrille Regis (Centre Forward)

302 appearances, 112 goals. Pond for Pound (in both weight and money) Big Cyrille was Albion's greatest ever buy. In his prime he was awesome and the most loved Albion player in recent years.

No.7 Bryan Robson (Midfield)

249 appearances, 46 goals. Perhaps the most complete English player of modern times, he was already the finished article when he left Albion.

No.8 Laurie Cunningham (Winger/ Forward)

114 appearances, 30 goals. If this list was decided on skill alone, Cunningham would walk it. The most gifted player ever to wear an Albion shirt.

No. 9 Derek Kevan (Centre Forward)

291 appearances, 173 goals. The Tank's nickname speaks for itself: he was unstoppable. He scored almost two gaols every three games and eight in 14 games for England.

No. 10 W.G Richardson (Centre forward)

444 appearances, 328* goals. A natural- born goal scorer. He was accused of being lazy, but came alive in front of a goal.

No. 11 Jack Vernon (Centre half)

200 appearances, 1 goal. Perhaps Albion's greatest- ever defender, who left the club just after five seasons.

No. 12 Ray Barlow (Forward/ Wing half)

482 appearances, 48 goals. A majestic midfielder and with Ronnie Allen, the brains of the brilliant 1950's side.

No.13 Derek Statham (Left back)

373 appearances, 11 goals. The most talented full back of his generation. It was travesty he didn't win more England Caps.

No.14 Bobby Hope (Midfield)

403 appearances, 42 goals. His brilliant passing and vision was the creative force in Albion's great 1960's side.

No. 15 Bobby Robson (Forward/ Midfielder)

257 appearances, 61 goals. Sir Booby was as enthusiastic a player as his is a now a manager who went to two World Cups in his time with Albion.

No. 16 Don Howe (Right Back)

379 appearances, 19 goals. An intelligent, creative Albion full back who later became a dour, defensive Albion manager.

 No. 17 Joe Kennedy (Centre Half)

397 appearances, 4 goals a commander defender regarded as the best Albion player never to win an England cap.

No. 18 Johnny Giles (Midfield)

88 appearances, 5 goals. Albion's brilliant player- manager rescued the club from obscurity in the mid 1970's.

No. 19 Fred Morris (Forward)

287 appearances, 118 goals. Morris' 37 goals helped the baggies to their only league championship in 1919-1920.

No.20 Willie Johnston (Left Winger)

261 appearances, 28 goals. Brilliant on his day. He was the clown- prince of the 1970's and one of the club's greatest cult heroes.

No. 21 Len Millard (Wing half/Left back)

625 appearances, 18 goals. The long-serving captain of the glorious 1950's side who lifted the FA Cup in 1954.

No. 22 Graham Williams (Left Back) 

360 appearances, 11 goals. The inspirational captain of the great FA and League Cup- winning side of the 1960's.

No. 23 Charlie Perry (Half Back)

219 appearances, 16 goals. A double FA Cup winner in 1888 and 1892, England international, Albion captain and splendid footballer.

No.24 Tommy Magee (Right Half)

434 appearances, 18 goals. Signed while still in the trenches in the Great War, he is the only Albion player to collect both a league championship and FA Cup winners' medal.

No. 25 Asa Hartford (Midfield)

275 appearances, 26 goals. He is most remembered for his hole-in-the- heart saga, but Hartford was a classy, dynamic player.

No. 26 Stan Rickaby (Right Back)

205 appearances, 2 goals. A member of the talented team of the 1950's, his career was cut short through injury.

No. 27 Joe Carter (Inside Right)

451 appearances, 155 goals. In the 1920's and early 1930's the Aston- born striker formed a great partnership with Tommy Glidden.

No. 28 Tommy Glidden (Right Winger)

479 appearances, 140 goals. Carter's attacking 'twin' captained Albion in their glorious 'double' season of 1930-31.

No.29 Clive Clark (Left Winger)

353 appearances, 98 goals. Chippy Clark was a crowd favourite and integral part of the wonderful 1960's side, who scored a lot of goals for a winger.

No. 30 John Wile (Centre Half)

618 appearances, 29 goals. Albion's brave, uncompromising captain for a decade, who hardly ever missed a game, or had one bad one.

No.31 Russell Hoult (Goalkeeper)

67 appearances. Many baggies fans are already saying that he is the best goal keeper they have ever seen at the club - certainly in modern times.

No.32 Bob Roberts (Goalkeeper)

84 appearances. The giant 'Prince of goalkeepers' was in Albion's very first-ever line-up in 1878 and became club's first England international.

No.33 Hubert Pearson (Goalkeeper)

377 appearances, 2 goals. Yet another fine keeper, this one even got on the score sheet twice.

No.34 Len Canetello (Midfield)

365 appearances, 21 goals. An unsung hero who was one of Albion's best midfielders through the 1970's.

No.35 John Kaye (Forward/Defender)

361 appearances, 54 goals. Yorky Kaye was a forward who was converted into a central defender; one of the rocks of the great 1960s side.

No. 36 Ally Robertson (Central Defender)

626 appearances, 14 goals. One of the many superb Scots who have played for the club; defenders don't come any tougher than Ally Rob'.

No. 37 Bob Taylor (Forward)

373 appearances, 131 goals. Super Bob has been the fans favourite over the last ten years.

No.38 Jimmy Dudley (Right Half)

320 appearances, 11 goals. The linkman between defence and attack in the great 1950s side who played 166 consecutive games.

No.39 Jimmy Cookson (Centre Forward)

131 appearances, 110 goals. His ratio of almost a goal a game is unsurpassed.

No.40 Don Goodman (Forward)

181 appearances, 63 goals. An exciting striker who was one of the very few rays of light in the dark ages of the 1980s.

No.41 Bobby Mc Neal (Left Half)

403 appearances, 10 goals. A resolute, tough defender who was part of the back bone of Albion's championship- winning team of 1919-20.

No.42 Fred Buck (Forward/Centre Half)

319 appearances, 94 goals. In two separate spells with Albion this little big man distinguished himself in both attack and defence.

No.43 Teddy Sandford (Forward/Centre Half)

317 appearances, 75 goals. Born in Handsworth within walking distance of the ground, he once broke the net at Molineux with a penalty.

No. 44 Martyn Bennett (Central Defender)

217 appearances, 10 goals. A talented, intelligent defender who would have become and England regular had his career not been blighted by injuries.

No.45 Frank Griffin (Right Winger)

275 appearances, 52 goals. Another member of the 1950s side best remembered for scoring the winner in the 1954 Cup Final.

No. 46 John Osborne (Goalkeeper)

312 appearances. The 'bionic' keeper was brave and courageous and one of the games great characters.

No. 47 Lee Hughes (Forward)

177 appearances, 85 goals. The Ginger Ninja is the biggest fan ever to wear an Albion shirt professionally.

No. 48 Jason Roberts (Forward)

67 appearances, 24 goals. The exciting young striker is Albion's most talented player at the moment. Great things are expected of him in the Premiership.

No.49 Reg Ryan (Wing half/Inside forward)

272 appearances, 31 goals. Part of one of the best midfields in the country in the 1950s.

No. 50 Gary Owen (Midfield)

229 appearances, 26 goals. Owen had vision and commitment, but sadly his career was cut short by injury.