Sport: Dick Knight

Stewart Weir looks back at memorable moments from the Albion’s past. This week: Dick?Knight

The ‘Hello Boys’ Wonderbra commercial featuring Eva Herzigova’s cleavage was this year voted the most iconic advert image of all time. The traffic-stopping ad sparked a sensation when it was unveiled in 1994 and was blamed for causing roadside accidents.

TBWA Holmes Knight Ritchie was the ad agency responsible for the campaign and Harry Richard “Dick” Knight is one of the people credited with the campaign’s success. Not a lot to do with football, you’re thinking but even before Knight arrived at the club he was creating miracles.

From a ramshackle but fondly remembered Goldstone Ground to the equally ramshackle but far less fondly remembered Priestfield Stadium where home games meant a 150 mile day trip and then to a converted running track at Withdean to a new world class stadium.

Dick Knight spent 12 years steering the club from the brink of oblivion on and off the pitch in a story with more twists and turns and ups and downs than any TV drama. “He’s probably had the club at the worst possible time and done the best possible job anyone could have. To keep the club alive in the circumstances is remarkable,” Liam Brady said about Dick Knight. An understatement, I think!