Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion have issued a joint warning to supporters ahead of Sunday's Championship meeting at Molineux, the first league fixture between the two sides in five years. Both clubs have made clear that violence and disorder will carry serious consequences, citing the aftermath of the last time the clubs met in front of a full house.

What happened last time

That previous meeting, an FA Cup tie at The Hawthorns in January 2024, was suspended for 38 minutes after scenes that shamed both sets of supporters. Police were assaulted, missiles were thrown and flares were set off inside the ground. The fallout was significant: 43 people were arrested, 12 were charged and sentenced, and five supporters received permanent club bans. It was, by any measure, a serious breakdown of public order at a football match.

Both clubs have been at pains to point out that the overwhelming majority of their supporters attended that cup tie, and will attend Sunday's fixture, with entirely legitimate intent. The joint statement issued on Thursday acknowledges as much. But the incidents that did occur have shaped the planning for this weekend in a way that supporters on both sides will feel the moment they approach the stadium.

What to expect on Sunday

Wolves and West Brom confirmed that supporters should "expect enhanced stewarding, policing, robust ticketing controls and additional safety measures" for the 12:00 BST kick-off. The clubs have worked alongside the Safety Advisory Group, local authorities and West Midlands Police to put those arrangements in place.

The clubs have also issued a firm reminder about ticketing. Supporters are asked to buy only through official channels and to sit in their correct designated area. Anyone found in the wrong section risks being refused entry or ejected, and may face further sanction on top of that. Given the context, it is hard to argue that is an unreasonable line to take.

The list of behaviours that could result in arrest, prosecution or a football banning order includes entering the pitch or trackside areas, throwing missiles and using pyrotechnics. Supporters are also asked to arrive in good time to allow security searches to be completed without a crush at the turnstiles, and to follow the instructions of stewards and police throughout the day.

The wider picture

It is worth pausing on the context here. This is the first league meeting between Wolves and West Brom since 2020, and only the second match of any kind in front of supporters since 2012, given how long the clubs spent in different divisions. The rivalry is fierce, the history is deep, and the appetite among supporters to be part of it is entirely understandable. Sunday represents a genuine occasion for both clubs in what is already a competitive Championship season.

That makes it all the more frustrating that the build-up has had to be dominated by safety messaging rather than the football itself. The clubs are right to be direct about the consequences of disorder; the evidence from 2024 shows the authorities will follow through. But the goal, as the joint statement puts it, is a match where supporters attend "passionately and responsibly." On the evidence of the majority of fans at most fixtures, that is not an unrealistic hope.

Whether the occasion brings out the best or the worst of this fixture will depend, as it always does, on individual choices made by thousands of people on the day. Both clubs have done what they can in the build-up. The rest is down to the supporters themselves.

Frequently asked

When do Wolves vs West Brom kick off on Sunday?
The Championship derby at Molineux kicks off at 12:00 BST on Sunday.
What happened at the last Wolves vs West Brom match?
The FA Cup tie at The Hawthorns in January 2024 was suspended for 38 minutes after crowd disorder. Police were assaulted, missiles were thrown and flares were set off. Forty-three people were arrested, 12 were charged and sentenced, and five received permanent club bans.
What safety measures are in place for the Wolves vs West Brom derby?
Both clubs have confirmed enhanced stewarding, additional policing, robust ticketing controls and extra safety measures. Supporters must use tickets bought through official channels, sit in their correct area and arrive early to allow for security searches.