Not So Private, Ryan

‘Dodger’ In Spotlight Of Fly-On-The-Wall Study

A trip to face Merseyside opposition in Derek Ryan’s day could only have meant taking on Tranmere. And a meeting with a side from Greater Manchester was likely to have been a clash with Stockport and definitely not one with the team of reigning Premier League champions who Wolves have now beaten home and away in the space of two and a half months.

Presents From Christmases Past

Boxing Day Bows In The Famous Gold Shirt

Mindful though we are that Wolves’ Boxing Day game this year is actually taking place tomorrow, on the 27th, how about these festive gifts from across the decades? We checked back to the last war to see which players had introduced themselves to the Wolverhampton masses on this date and which had made a scoring impact on this, one of the most popular football dates on the calendar. The following leapt out from our search:

Time To Switch On Those Lights

Wolves’ Alternative Part In Bright New Era

It wasn’t all about Molineux and that hallowed strip of turf during Wolves’ famous floodlit era. We have all heard and read about the epic nights featuring Honved, Spartak, Moscow Dynamo and others but there were also evenings out for Stan Cullis’s side at Bristol City, Hull and even Bilston as more football grounds became illuminated.

Carl On Tour

Tonight’s The (Last) Night For Molineux Signing

Carl Ikeme is continuing his hectic promotional tour by appearing today at a third book-signing session. The highly popular former Wolves keeper is back at Molineux this teatime (Thursday) to autograph copies of his autobiography ‘Why Not Me?’ and no doubt pose for photographs with club shop customers.

All Very PC!

Palmer On Parade – The Uncovered Evidence

Interesting footage has emerged of Geoff Palmer making the unusual transition from football to law enforcement. The 1986 change of career was seen as radical enough for Central TV to present a feature on the story through Bob Hall, a well-known face and voice in Molineux circles.

An Age-Old Question

Help Sought Over Senior Moments

Following our spotlight on latter-day Molineux defender Len
Gibbons three days ago, we are seeking to establish who Wolves’ oldest former player is. The search is not as simple as looking down the birthdates for those who plied their football trade in these parts in the 1940s and 1950s.

Fondly Remembered: Len Gibbons

Full-Back Who Turned The Wirral A Little More Golden

Many a fine player was confined largely to the Molineux shadows during Wolves’ halcyon years and Len Gibbons was no doubt one of those. Good enough to be given 29 games in the club’s first team by Stan Cullis, the full-back was nevertheless generally behind Roy Pritchard and Bill Shorthouse in the pecking order and might have played many more had gold and black standards not been sky-high at the time.

Big Day For Bailey

Mike’s Walk Down Memory Lane

Mike Bailey is preparing for a day of double nostalgia tomorrow when he is lined up for an appearance at Wolves’ Premier League game at Brighton. The ‘special guest’ visit he is due to make to the Amex Stadium with wife Barbara comes with the two teams in good form following midweek victories over London opposition.

A Host Of The Highest Quality

Golden Reminiscences, Decades On

Jim Barron has become the latest former Wolves player to savour
the hospitality of his one-time Molineux colleague Les Wilson. We have written several stories extolling the pleasure Wilson takes in welcoming football friends to his home in Vancouver.

Dear Diary Entry 98

Canada Calling

Wednesday, November 6: Enjoyed taking a phone call from Les Wilson in Vancouver after he was reunited, by email, with a playing colleague of his from the 1960s. Jim Barron phoned us yesterday, asking to be put in touch.