Some West Bromwich Albion fans feel that defender Gareth McAuley is the best bargain buy in club history.
McAuley is now 39 and retired from playing the game at the end of September (BBC) after failing to find a new club in the summer. The defender though retired as a Rangers player and had left the Hawthorns in the summer of 2018.
The Baggies’ Twitter handle posted an image on social media on the occasion of Black Friday asking fans as to who is the club’s best bargain buy in history. Some Baggies fans believe that McAuley deserves to hold that tag.
Do you think Gareth McAuley was the best signing in the club's history?
Yes
No
Has to be GMac. They guy cost us nothing and was one of the best defenders in the clubs history
— Baggies Burger (@BaggiesBurger) November 29, 2019
Definitely GMac
— Waps (@DXLXNQUENT) November 29, 2019
GMAC imo, gotta day I really miss the red and black kit, it was
— IceAquila?? (@aquila_ice) November 29, 2019
There’s a few but McAuley was just brilliant
— Jim Kelly (@JimmyOneBall) November 29, 2019
McCauley for me. What a player he was
— dylan ashmore (@WBADyl) November 29, 2019
McAuley. Has to be surely
— Jasewba (@JasonWba) November 29, 2019
McAuley had joined the club from the Midlands in the summer of 2011 on a free transfer after he had left Ipswich Town. He stayed at the club for seven years, before leaving for Rangers last summer.
The Northern Irishman had been at the club from their journey in the Premier League to the period of their relegation into the Championship two seasons ago. In his last season, the defender had played 12 times in all competitions for the club’s first team and he had also played once in the Premier League 2 for the West Brom under-23s side.
The former Leicester City man had played 227 times in all competitions for the Baggies, scoring 17 times and assisting six times too.
After leaving West Brom, McAuley had appeared 10 times in all competitions for the Gers in the 2018-19 campaign. He announced retirement in September earlier this year.
What do we think?
At one point, McAuley was one of the oldest defenders in the Premier League during West Brom’s time in the top tier. Considering he arrived for free, it is a big task that he lasted at the club for about eight years and helped them become relevant in the Premier League.
While there can be many other contenders, but McAuley has to be right up there. He was a very faithful servant to the club.