It warms the heart to see Tony Mowbray back in football management after his battle with cancer - his return is one of the stories of the season, writes MATT BARLOW
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There was no great sense of ceremony. No drumroll nor fanfare. That's hardly his style and yet it was no ordinary comeback as Tony Mowbray strolled out at the Hawthorns. Thick woollen cardigan buttoned to the top underneath a blazer flapping about in the wind, he emerged from the tunnel, gave all sides of the ground a cheery wave as he walked round for a minute or so and disappeared again.
![[West Bromwich Albion fans sang his name and those who travelled from Stoke City applauded Mowbray as he rejoins West Brom following a battle with bowel cancer]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/19/17/94269041-14302415-image-a-45_1737309470543.jpg)
He clapped his hands, raised a thumb, and skilfully trousered a large pouch of Revels, his favourite chocolates dutifully supplied by mascot Baggie Bird via a slick handshake routine. West Bromwich Albion fans sang his name, those who travelled from Stoke City applauded and, while he would not have been in the market for sympathy, all those present had the same swell of emotion.
![[It warmed the heart to see Mowbray back looking strong and healthy, braced for another challenge in the Championship at a club he knows well]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/19/17/94269043-14302415-image-a-46_1737309473384.jpg)
It warmed the heart to see Mowbray back looking strong and healthy, braced for another challenge in the Championship at a club he knows well, one year after taking medical leave from Birmingham City to fight bowel cancer. There followed 10 hours of surgery to remove 15 centimetres of his bowel and the cancerous tumour, and four courses of chemotherapy.
![[West Brom were held to a 1-1 draw against Stoke as Mowbray watched on from the stands]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/19/18/94269345-14302415-image-a-48_1737310248657.jpg)
Tony Mowbray strolled out at the Hawthorns as his emotional return to the club was confirmed. West Bromwich Albion fans sang his name and those who travelled from Stoke City applauded Mowbray as he rejoins West Brom following a battle with bowel cancer. It warmed the heart to see Mowbray back looking strong and healthy, braced for another challenge in the Championship at a club he knows well.
![[A packet of Mowbray's favourite chocolate, Revels, was given to him by the West Brom mascot which he duly accepted]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/19/17/94269047-14302415-image-a-47_1737309586288.jpg)
