Comment: Fans are sticking with West Brom through a period of crisis

Not since the dark days of the early to mid 90s has expectation been so low among the fan base.

On the field, Albion are no longer the big fish in the Championship pond and it is hard to make a solid case for them competing at the top end of the table this season.

Off it, well, that tale of unpaid loans, a lack of investment and a desperate need for a buyer has been told a number of times.

And yet, this season the club is boasting season ticket sales not seen since the 2008/2009 Premier League campaign. Since then, Albion have spent eight straight years in the top flight, and nine overall, and at one stage were finishing in the top eight.

Now they are heading for a third straight Championship campaign, and season ticket figures have hit 18,000, up 1,000 on this stage last season.

The club situation comes under a backdrop of societal issues which means household budgets and money is as tight as ever for some families.

The cost of living crisis may not dominate the news headlines day in, day out, but it is still there, so for Albion to post their best season ticket sales for 15 years is phenomenal.

A point that does have to be made, is the fact Albion have bucked the trend with regards to season ticket prices and the kids for a quid offer, at a time where others across the country are hiking prices.

That has been a superb offering from the club, who could have easily turned the other way and followed the crowd.

However, the low prices aren't just the sole factor for the season ticket sales.

Given all the above, fans could have been forgiven for turning the back on going down the Albion every week. It has happened at other clubs.

In the Midlands, Birmingham City, albeit now under what looks like steady ownership, has gone through the financial mire in recent times and that led to dwindling attendances.

Coventry City are posting big figures in terms of attendances now, but it wasn't long ago numbers were hugely down given their off field issues, although part of that comes with the caveat that they were playing home games away from their home for a period.

But what it shows is that fans can be forgiven for getting to a point where they have had enough - but this year it doesn't seem like that is the case with the Albion fan base.

And this is why when people say Albion is a special club, it is true.

Hopefully the backing can be rewarded with performances to match on the pitch because for sticking with the club and continuing to back them through this period of crisis, the fans deserve it more than anyone.