Well, here we are again, the start of a new season - and what an intriguing season it's set to be.

A year ago all the talk was of consolidating and avoiding relegation and the same words are surfacing again.

Even after two championships this is the challenge facing everyone at the Albion.

And rightly so, as this season it is a bigger step up in all aspects, on and off the pitch.

Just look at our neighbours down the road who have attracted and financed the likes of Robert Prosinecki and Paul Merson and Shaka Hislop and we as a club have the opportunity to challenge them and bridge the gap using everything that has got us here in the first place and you as fantastic fans have a massive part to play.

As you've probably gathered, I've been asked to take over from Simon Morgan and am honoured to do so.

If I do half the job Simon did I would be more than delighted and, on behalf of the lads, I would like to wish Simon all the best on his new role as Al Fayed's bellboy.

Also, a few congrats are due following events in the summer: to Gary Hart, who tied the knot, and Michel and Becky Kuipers who had their first child, a baby boy "Dukey init" and to the Gaffer on his appointment.

Well, if it wasn't going to be a hard enough opener anyway, things were not helped by six of the squad going down with a mystery virus on Wednesday.

Malcolm's telephone was busier than Hicky's (Matt Hicks) on a matchday after apparently having 25 opinions offered to him as to what the malicious bug was.

After all that, we are no closer to finding out who, or what, had caused it.

Chief suspect was the sarnies laid on for the players at Monday's photo-shoot but that has since been ruled out as Malcolm (who had an absolute binful) was unaffected.

And the other suspect was our serial bug-carrier John Keeley, who now carries a bell with him wherever he goes.

All was not doom and gloom as on Thursday the aforementioned six could all be seen walking merrily around the training ground consuming medicinal Mars bars.

Needless to say, Malcolm, who is on a strict diet, only had three of them.

Well the lads have been back five weeks with the summer hols a distant memory. A good time was enjoyed by all with most improving their sun tans.

Dodge came back with his customary Ribena head while Chris McPhee spent the whole holiday in his garden wearing the worst vest in history and had a most impressive farmer's tan. Bobby Z went to the same holiday spot as Bob Booker and spent seven days avoiding the hairy one, yes Bob's missus went too.

And Robbie Pethick came back white as a sheet after his 2-star self catering break in Warsaw which did him no end of good as he's currently topping the goal charts.

Well, all that's left to say is that I hope you enjoy the season and that upon reading this we're all celebrating a good result for the Albion.

Augsut 10, 2002