Some footballers don’t need to spend a long time at a club for them to be remembered fondly amongst that club’s fans. Some players leave their mark and are eternalised, and Igor Balis is one of those, living long in the memory of West Brom fans.
The one and only Igor Balis sends his best regards to all #WBA fans. #AlbionFamily pic.twitter.com/jPnLEzyHvS
— Dean Walton (@DeanoTheBaggie) November 19, 2019
One West Brom fans took to Twitter with a picture of the club’s former Slovakian right-back, claiming that the club’s ex-defender was sending his best regards to the Baggies, and the supporters flocked to show their love and affection for the 49-year-old.
Balis only played a season and a half for the Baggies at The Hawthorns, signing from Slovan Bratislava in January 2001 before moving on to join Dunajska Streda in summer 2003 (Transfermarkt), but the 62 appearances and four goals he scored (Transfermarkt) were enough to ensure he’s still remembered to this day.
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You can read the Baggies’ verdict on Igor Balis here:
My tribute to the great man’s most iconic Albion moment…. What a player and penalty. pic.twitter.com/gnbkv4tyJW
— Paul Ridler (@BillyBassettWBA) November 19, 2019
What a legend
— Harpreet Moore (@MrHMoore) November 19, 2019
Hero
— Andy Rollason (@Rusholmerufian1) November 19, 2019
My hero… My pseudonym!
— Flowerman (@igorsbigpen) November 20, 2019
What a man – and what a day at Bradford! Will never forget that day!
— JCorz (@JohnCorfield7) November 19, 2019
He lived amongst the fans when he was here – now he’s happy to welcome a group of you out there & take you to his favourite restaurant. And he (I assume still?) even has a photo of The Hawthorns on his wall at home. They don’t make many like Igor! Top man #WBA
— Robert Hennefer (@raihennefer) November 19, 2019
The Baggies have got so much time for Balis, and will always look back on his time at the club fondly.