BLIND DAVE TO GET BAGGIES SALUTE

25-04-2008

Marathon runner extraordinaire Dave Heeley will have the chance to take the plaudits of his home town crowd on Monday when he’s introduced at half time of West Brom’s game against Southampton.

The Baggies have been supportive of Blind Dave since hearing about him on The Stirrer last season.

He and his guide runner Malcolm Carr were introduced to the crowd during last season’s match against Sunderland, and again before the recent game versus Colchester.

This will be their first visit to The Hawthorns since completing their astonishing seven day, seven marathon stint on seven continents a fortnight ago.

Dave said: “When I came back last week I was given scarf by Jeff Astle’s wife Lorraine, so that’s really special to me and I’ll be bringing that down on the night.”

One character who’ll miss out on his big Baggies night out though is his guide dog Wicksie, who’ll be staying at home.

Officially it’s because he can’t be accommodated in the Halfords Lane stand while it’s being refurbished, but Dave has another theory.

"When I first brought him down, I asked a club official what would happen if Wicksie did something unmentionable on the pitch?" Dave recalls.

"I was only joking, but apparently the official's face was a picture.� It was as though he'd done something unmentionable at the very thought of the pitch being messed up at half time.

He laughed: “They kept Wicksie off the turf after that, and I don’t think he’s been welcome since.”

See the emotional scenes as Dave completed his amazing 777 challenge. Just click here to watch it on Stirrer TV.