JR Looking Forward To ‘Revenge Mission’

Monday, November 9: Enjoyed a text exchange with my Wolves Heroes co-owner John Richards on the day of his 70th birthday and was not surprised to hear that the celebrations had been somewhat muted. “We’ve had a virtual party with our daughters and their families via Zoom,” he said, “and there have been lots of emails and texts, some from former players taking the p*** about me becoming an ‘old git’! There are a few more 70th birthdays on the way, though, so I’ll be able to get my own back.”

Saturday, November 14: Nice to hear that Phil Parkes had rung his ex-Molineux mate Les Wilson in Canada following the news that their former Vancouver Whitecaps colleague Tony Waiters had died. The long-time Blackpool keeper, who also played three times for England, passed away a few days ago at 83 and was also at Wilson’s side when the duo took Canada to the World Cup finals for the first and only time – for the ‘Maradona tournament’ in Mexico in 1986.

Wednesday, November 18: How strange it was to see Wayne Hennessey in the stand at Wales’s home win over Finland tonight and not in their goal. Crystal Palace’s former Wolves keeper is currently out with a thigh injury and has been replaced by Danny Ward, a man who receives the benefit of Mike Stowell’s coaching at Leicester. Hennessey is, or rather was, closing in on his 100th Welsh cap, having recently overtaken Neville Southall’s record by keeping a 35th international clean sheet.

Friday, November 20: Testing times for former Wolves youngster Keith Andrews in the Republic of Ireland coaching team after his boss Stephen Kenny was made the subject of an investigation by his employers. The national manager is said to have shown his players an anti-English video before Wednesday’s game at Wembley – a development he could well do without following a poor first few months in the job. Andrews, who turned 40 this autumn, won 35 senior caps in his well-travelled playing career and was named the country’s player of the year in 2012.

Monday, November 23: As if missing out on more England recognition because of Covid 19 protocol wasn’t a big enough blow to Conor Coady, he then had to assume the role of frustrated pitch-side observer at Wolves’ entertaining draw against Southampton tonight. So much for him making a sustained challenge to Phil Parkes’s record of successive appearances in Wolves’ first team.

Friday, November 27: Lovely words from the Wolves Former Players Association after the sad announcement about Mike Bailey’s dementia. This diagnosis had been suspected for some time but the family’s bravery in going public brought a sincere and very fitting response from the organisation of which he has been a valued member for so long. We at Wolves Heroes have no hesitation in also sending our own very best wishes to all concerned.

Sunday, November 29: Rarely has a Wolves win – as good as this one was – seemed so insignificant. All of our thoughts today are with Raul Jimenez after his serious head injury at Arsenal. How coincidental it is that Sky’s co-commentator for the evening was Don Goodman, who was able to recount how he suffered a similar injury in 1996 and was sidelined for six months. We pray for the brilliant Mexican’s full recovery and hope that the happy comeback day isn’t too far away.

Monday, November 30: Another coincidence from the Emirates…….John Barnwell, who had been the last manager to oversee a Wolves win at Arsenal, more than 41 years ago, has been overtaken by Nuno Espirito Santo in our Managers list. With yesterday’s clash, Nuno has now been in charge for one more Wolves game than former Gunners forward Barnwell (167 to 166), so becoming the club’s eighth longest-serving boss of all time.