Andy Back In Town And In Good Company

Andy Gray is one of the heroes to have come forward and confirmed his place at a reunion of Wolves’ 1980 League Cup winners in the Black Country in March.

The Wembley match-winner against Nottingham Forest will be back among Molineux friends for a charity dinner organised by team-mate Mel Eves as part of his year as President of the Rotary Club of Wolverhampton.

And there are encouraging signs that Manchester-based Paul Bradshaw – rarely seen in these parts these days – will be among the others in attendance.

The function, being run in conjunction with Sedgley-based Route 39, takes place at the Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill, on Friday, March 15 – exactly 33 years on from when Gray’s second-half tap-in brought down a Forest team who were to successfully defend the European Cup a few weeks later. 

Brian Clough’s side had also won the League Cup for the previous two years, were seen as specialists in the competition and were hot favourites to prevail at the twin towers.

But the following side repeated the odd-goal victory Wolves had managed against Manchester City six years earlier: Bradshaw, Palmer, Parkin, Daniel, Hughes, Berry, Hibbitt, Carr, Gray, Richards, Eves. Substitute: Brazier.

“It will be great to have the lads together again,” Eves said. “We always love a night like this because the banter and memories just flow.

“I have a special reason for wanting to making it a super occasion because of my Rotary Club commitments and I’m sure we can promise supporters plenty of fun and nostalgia.”

Tables of eight or ten at the reunion are available for £40 plus VAT per head, with individual tickets costing £45 plus VAT. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The compere is BBC WM’s Paul Franks and further entertainment, in addition to footage and a mountain of memories from the 1-0 win recorded by John Barnwell’s side, comes from comedian Josh Daniels. The dress code is lounge suits.

Further details can be obtained by ringing 01902-680023 or by logging on to http://www.facebook.com/events/451535388246618/