Johnny Giles took over the managerial post at West Brom in the 1975 – 1976 season and led the club to promotion back in to the top flight at the end of the campaign as they finished the season of in an impressive third position. They also enjoyed a fine run in the FA cup that saw the club reach the fifth round of the cup competition, however they suffered a horrible 4-0 defeat against Southampton in the last sixteen. Their first season back in the top flight was a huge success as they were in emphatic form through out the 1976 – 1977 league campaign finishing off the seaosn in a resounding seventh place. Ronnie Allen temporarily took over the managerial post in 1977 for West Brom before Ron Atkinson was installed as the new club manager in 1978. The Albion enjoyed a fantastic league campaign during the 1977 – 1978 season as they finished it off in sixth position. They also enjoyed a delightful cup run that saw the club reach the semi finals of the cup competition, suffering a 3-1 defeat against Ipswich town at Highbury. Atkinson led Albion to new heights at the end of the 1978 – 79 season as they came close to winning the league title with an emphatic third place finish in the top flight. Albion reached the fifth round of the FA cup once again and narrowly lost in extra time against Southampton. West Brom broke their transfer record fee in July 1979 as they spent £748,000 on bringing in Peter Barnes from Manchester City.