Roaring Off In Third…….

Glory Or Bust For Wolves In Past Seasons At This Level

Wolves have no comprehension of what life is like in the middle of the third tier of English football. They just don’t do so-so seasons at this level. Either they crash straight through it (downwards!) or, more often and hopefully much more likely, they spring back by winning it. And so to the big kick-off at Deepdale on Saturday…….

Lofty Back With Old Vancouver Pal

Keeper’s Meeting With Albion’s Fiery ‘World Cup Willie’

Phil Parkes has endured a friendly chorus of disapproval while catching up for the first time in more than 30 years with a mate from across the Black Country divide. The West Bromwich-born keeper was at this week’s Frank Skinner night at Birmingham Town Hall – the latest money-raiser for the Three Degrees Statue that’s due to be unveiled next summer in tribute to the Albion trio of Laurie Cunningham, Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson.

Cooke-ing Up A Super Italian!

A Molineux Appearance Under The Radar For Lazio Great

In the annals of famous players that Wolves heroes have faced at club level during or after their Molineux stints, we can include the likes of Pele and Beckenbauer (from the American league), stars of the pioneer floodlit days such as Puskas and Di Stefano and men like Best, Moore, Greaves and Charlton from domestic combat. But those worldly Wanderers of the 1960s and 1970s, who faced Haller, Capello and others in European competition, can make a surprise addition to their lists – of a hero who actually played at Molineux twice.

Dear Diary, Entry 23

Time For A Nice Family Film!

Monday, June 24: Met Don Goodman at a golf day at Walsall and perhaps didn’t have quite as much to say to him as I might usually have done. We had a long chat over the weekend due to us posting a substantial piece about him and his charity trek round the Grand Canyon. With his personality, it’s not difficult to see why he has got on in his media career. He’s a real ‘people person.’

Parkin: Some Food For Thought

Three Decades On And Still A Case Of ‘If Only…..’

Thirty years on from his retirement as a player, the thought that Derek Parkin really should have won senior England caps still rankles. And, as recently as this summer, I have been reminded of the guilt Bill McGarry felt at the fact the immaculate full-back remained overlooked by his country at the ultimate level.

California Dreaming

Happy Memories Of Wolves’ Historic LA Triumph

It’s 46 years today since Wolves beat Aberdeen in an epic final to the United Soccer Association Championship. And the fact that the match is still a big story on the other side of the Atlantic is underlined by the publication of a new book on the tournament and its background.

Oh Brother! Where Did You Go?

Sibling Stars Wolves Missed Out On Big Time

We at Wolves Heroes had good reason to be grateful to John Doughty for his memories and contacts early last summer – and promised to give a further insight into his astonishing recall of Molineux matters. Well, our spotlight three days ago on the England v Wales under-23 international at Molineux in 1966 gives us the perfect springboard to do so now, some 14 months on from when John and his wife Jackie opened the doors of their home in Codsall for the 50th anniversary reunion of Wolves’ 1962 FA Youth Cup final team.

The ‘Other’ Boys Of 66

England’s Young Hopefuls Shone On Molineux Stage

“There have been full international matches, Inter-League games and youth internationals and now we are completing the set,” wrote ‘Wanderer’ in the match programme on Wednesday, October 12, 1966. Elsewhere in the eight-page publication, Ivan Sharpe hailed the under-23 game between England and Wales at Molineux as ‘the beginning of England’s campaign to retain the highly-prized World Cup; the first milestone on the journey to Mexico 1970.’

Big Numbers At Golf Day

A Change Of Course For Breast Cancer Fund-Raiser

A Wolves-themed charity golf day next month has proved such a draw that it has been moved to cater for bigger numbers. Almost a dozen Molineux favourites – Geoff Palmer, Phil Parkes, Bobby Gould, Tony Dinning, Andy Thompson, Robbie Dennison, Jon Purdie, Mel Eves, Don Goodman and hopefully Matt Murray – have indicated their willingness to participate in the First4Staff Charity Classic on Wednesday, August 21.

First Cab Off The Rank

Enduring Career Of Cast-Off With Place In Molineux History

So who was the first signing of the magnificent Stan Cullis era at Wolverhampton Wanderers? Peter Broadbent? No. Ron Flowers? Not him either. Bill Slater? Nor him. Try Ron Hewitt. We are again grateful to Steve Gordos for his historical expertise and research in informing us that the Sports Argus annual for 1949-50 contained Hewitt’s pen portrait on the Wolves pages.