 In the club 's formative years , West Bromwich Albion were run by a seven @-@ man playing committee , and funded by each member contributing a weekly subscription of 6d ( six pence ) ( 2 ½ p ) . Albion 's first chairman was Henry Jackson , appointed in 1885 , with the club becoming a limited company in June 1891 . Other early chairmen of Albion included Jem Bayliss and Billy Bassett , both of whom had earlier played for the club . Indeed , from 1878 to 1986 there was always an Albion player or ex @-@ player on the club 's committee or board of directors . Bassett became an Albion director in 1905 , following the resignation of the previous board in its entirety . The club was in deep financial trouble and had had a writ served upon them by their bank , but Bassett and returning chairman Harry Keys rescued the club , aided by local fund @-@ raising activities . Bassett became chairman in 1908 , and helped the club to avoid bankruptcy once more in 1910 by paying the players ' summer wages from his own pocket . He remains Albion 's longest @-@ serving chairman , having held the position until his death in 1937 . The club 's longest @-@ serving director was Major H. Wilson Keys , during the period 1930 – 1965 , including 15 years as chairman . He became FA vice @-@ president in 1969 . 
