Jeremy Peace: West Bromwich Albion can cut it in the Premier League

Apr 29 2008 By Chris Lepkowski

ALBION chairman Jeremy Peace believes the Baggies will never be better equipped for the Premier League than now.

The Baggies chief watched Tony Mowbray's side clinch promotion last night following their 1-1 draw with Southampton.

He said: "I grew up following Albion in the 60s and 70s when we had great footballing sides and I think to have that culture here at the moment is great.

"As Tony has said before it does equip us a bit better for the Premier League.

"It will be a massive gulf to cross as it always is but we will be a bit better prepared than we were a few seasons ago.

"Getting back into the top flight has been a fantastic thing for us.

"It’s been a really tough season and every game has been really competitive.

"It’s a difficult division to get out of and we’re just really pleased to be where we are now

"Mathematically we obviously still need to do it but hopefully we are almost there now."

Peace praised Baggies boss Mowbray.

"He has done fantastically this season," he added.

"He came in last season and had to re-shape the squad and we did quite a lot of business in the summer.

"We have built from there and it has been a really successful season.

"The players have been fantastic, the supporters have been behind the team all the way and they have enjoyed watching the football we have played.

"It has been a joy to be involved this season."