April 2009

Powell Back On Familiar Soil

A Far East Return For Barry

Barry Powell has added a coaching trip to Hong Kong to the spells he had there as a player in between his two stints at Molineux. The 55-year-old spent three seasons in the Far East in the 1980s, the first two with Bulova and the other with South China, before going back there to play in a £1,000-a-man exhibition game against Manchester United in front of more than 30,000.

Ranks On A Tour Of Duty

Fergie’s Promotion Party High On Agenda

Mark Rankine had toyed with dropping in at Molineux this weekend for the last-day Championship clash between the two clubs with whom he made his name in football, Wolves and Doncaster. Instead, corporate duties have beckoned him to another of his former stomping grounds, Preston, but only after he first heads to Peterborough’s promotion party on Saturday for some back-slapping with his good pal Darren Ferguson.

Jinky Back In Action

Smith Lines Up For All Stars

Jamie Smith, the Birmingham-born full-back who sprang to prominence at Molineux in the mid-1990s, has been named in the Wolves All Stars side who turn out at Willenhall Town tomorrow (Sunday). The home-grown Smith leapt from the reserves to feature as a regular under Graham Taylor in 1994-95 and became so established at first-team level that the club, by then under the management of Mark McGhee, signed Kevin Muscat and Dougie Freedman in exchange when he joined Crystal Palace in the autumn of 1997.

Kindo Hopes For Double Celebration

One Up, One To Go

These are exciting times for Steve Kindon……….one of his former clubs are already up and another are moving powerfully into position for the play-offs. And he’s planning a double toast if Burnley win at Wembley next month, seal promotion and guarantee two meetings with Wolves in the Premier League next season.

Mick’s The Man – Pierce

Joy Of Old Promotion Pal

Somewhere in Mick McCarthy’s sack of congratulatory messages, there will soon be an envelope postmarked Bury, containing a ‘well done’ card from a man who knew he was born to succeed in management. It is a happy coincidence in the life of Gary Pierce that the club closest to his heart have just reached the Premier League under the leadership of someone he won promotion alongside 28 years ago.

Three Cheers For The Promotion Winners!

Tributes Paid To Mick’s Marvels

Heroes of promotion-chasing campaigns of the past have added their congratulations after Wolves yesterday booked their place back in the Premier League. Andy Thompson, twice a title winner with the club in the lower divisions in the late 1980s, sat alongside Steve Bull above the players’ tunnel at a packed Molineux yesterday and was full of praise for the display by Mick McCarthy’s side in their victory over QPR.

Hibbitt Still At Home From Spot

Easy Does It For Kenny

It may not be Molineux’s South Bank at his back and the goal is perhaps a shade smaller than he is used to but there’s something unerringly familiar about the pose and outcome. Even in his slippers and with his Gloucestershire home as the backdrop, Kenny Hibbitt decides hard and low is the still best bet for penalties.

A Lesser Hillsborough Disaster

Mayhem At Wolves Tie

On this, the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster, we deviate from our normal operations to tell the story of what was described as another tragedy at the ground – one that occured when Wolves were the visitors. We are grateful to Molineux season ticket holder Phil Murphy for emailing us a cutting from the Birmingham Gazette the day after Wolves had visited Sheffield Wednesday for an FA Cup second-round replay on February 4, 1914.

Little Time For Nostalgia

Peter’s Sights Set Only Forward

Peter Daniel admits he isn’t one for hanging on to his past; which explains why he is another of the former Wolves players for whom Molineux is now a distant memory. The 53-year-old is back in his native Hull, driving for a private hire firm for a living and successfully managing a few divisions down the pyramid structure.

Andy’s Eyes On Title

Victories All The Way On Run-In

Andy Sinton is hoping to follow up his Ryman Division One South Manager of the Month award by leading his club Fleet Town to their first-ever title at that level. The former Wolves winger oversaw the terrific record of eight wins and two draws from the ten games Fleet played in March and is praying that his personal recognition is just the start.