Dear Diary Entry 142

Emotions High In Memory Of Super-Fan

Wednesday, July 5: A great send-off at St Peters Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton city centre this morning for the inspirational and hugely admired Claire Elliott. Her funeral was described by club chaplain David Wright as the one with the longest period of planning he had ever known.

Stowell Off To Pastures New

Time For A Change Of Direction

Mike Stowell today flew to Israel to link up with Robbie Keane and accept his first overseas post at the age of 58. The long-time former Wolves man was touted among supporters as being a strong contender for the Molineux goalkeeper coach’s job following Tony Roberts’s departure to AC Milan.

Francis And His Molineux Links – Yes, Really!

How Wolves Idols Helped Blues Superkid

It’s drastically stretching the point to attach any ‘Made in Wolverhampton’ tags to Trevor Francis’s fabulous playing career but there are connections on this side of the patch that many may have overlooked. First and foremost, the superkid of Midlands football half a century ago was taken to Birmingham by none other than Stan Cullis.

Something To Tell The Doc

So Good They Signed Them Twice

Matt Doherty be warned…..not all returning Wolves players have been as happy or as fortunate second time round. The re-signing of the Republic of Ireland international has had us delving into the history books to see how many others had put in a follow-up stint at Molineux and we came up with these, which we present in alphabetical order.

The Changing Face Of Summer Warm-Ups

Are Wolves Successfully Filling The Void

Stan Cullis didn’t seem to agree with them but Bill McGarry didn’t want a summer to pass without one. So were the modern-day Wolves in danger of being slightly under-cooked for the start of the Premier League season? They pulled out of their initial far-reaching overseas tour and have since been playing catch-up to add fixtures back into their schedule.

Title Winners Together Again

‘A Terrific Night To Be Part Of’ – Lee

“Team-mates I hadn’t seen for decades were there and supporters were telling us that what we achieved was their favourite football memory – despite the League titles and European successes that have come since.” It is 40 years this summer since Chelsea set off on the journey that led to them winning the Second Division under the leadership of Ken Bates and John Neal and the reunion that has taken place this close season left Colin Lee buzzing.

Pioneering Doog Spirit Recognised Once More

Golden Anniversary Of Landmark Ireland Fixture

Derek Dougan’s role in setting up a historic, pioneering match against world champions Brazil has been celebrated in Dublin exactly 50 years on. The Wolves forward was a prime mover in the scheduling of the game in early July, 1973, on the site of the stadium in which a Wolves v Celtic friendly has just been arranged for later this month.

Two More Receive The Big Call

‘Appointments Season’ Brings Further Excitement

This has been a good few days for former Wolves players climbing further up the coaching ladder. Following Darren Bazeley’s appointment as New Zealand’s head coach, two men he preceded at Molineux by a few years have advanced their own careers in the dug-out.

‘Baze’ Steps Up To Top Job

Darren Relishing Chance As An International Manager

Darren Bazeley has his sights set on leading his adopted country to the Olympics after being named as New Zealand’s head coach. The former Wolves man has been in the role on an interim basis since March but has this week had his position made permanent in good time for a busy, high-profile programme.

Precious Connections

Wolves Links At Birth Of Multi-Billion Industry

Not playing for Wolves does not preclude Mick Hoban from being granted a second generous mention on this website…..because, boy, he developed some excellent connections at Molineux! An Albion-supporting Villa reserve he might have been in his formative years but his stellar career in the game has helped him make any number of friends from the gold and black quarter.