A Familiar Face We Are Always Glad To See

Sunday, October 8: Enjoyed having a post-match chat with Rob Edwards as we departed from Molineux in the sunshine this afternoon following the satisfactory derby draw between his first two professional clubs. Villa away is coming up at the end of this month for his Luton side, who are out of the bottom three, just, despite their home defeat against Tottenham yesterday. In between signing autographs and posing for photos, the Hatters boss also reported that Kevin Foley was performing well as a newcomer to the backroom team at Kenilworth Road.

Friday, October 13: Unlikeliest comment at a brilliant premiere of the When LA Wolves Conquered The USA film at Wolverhampton’s Arena Theatre this evening came from Yannie Makarounas, one of the prime movers behind the excellent production. Speaking about the interviews carried out with players who went on the trip, he said: “I thought Adama Traore was a real diva until I met Terry Wharton!”

Saturday, October 14: Good to Kevin McDonald record a third straight victory since being named as Bradford caretaker manager following the dismissal of Mark Hughes. It’s unlikely the former Wolves midfielder, who turns 35 on November 4, will see himself as a contender for the post but the Bantams’ win at Wimbledon will do his reputation absolutely no harm and buys some time for the club’s board in their deliberations. 

Wednesday, October 18: Mark Kennedy’s first venture into management ended today with his sacking as Lincoln boss a few days after the home defeat against Burton. Football being football, the ex-Wolves and Republic of Ireland man quickly found himself linked, as was Kevin Muscat, with the vacant post at their former club, Millwall, following Gary Rowett’s departure. How do you explain the logic in that?

Friday, October 20: Well done to Charles Bamforth for hunting down more names for the photo we published recently of a young mid-1980s Wolves team in this Upton And That Sky Blue Talent Drain – Wolves Heroes article. The colour picture was taken at the training ground and has come to mean even more now 1980s reserve Darren Wright has filled in some of the blanks through our regular California-based contributor.

Saturday, October 21: Spent an illuminating hour and a half with Mark Venus in the build-up to Sunderland’s Championship fixture at Stoke this afternoon. Having enjoyed a renewal of our friendship during a visit to Albion in the spring, Tony Mowbray’s long-time no 2 texted soon after breakfast today to say the Wearsiders were staying over at a hotel near Crewe and was available for a meeting and chat. Good to have introductions from him to other members of the backroom team as well.

Saturday, October 28: Disappointed to miss out on another meeting with Joe Gardiner’s nephew, John, when he came down as a guest of the club with his son and grandson to today’s Wolves v Newcastle game. Thank-you to Peter Crump, from the Molineux museum, for meeting and greeting him anyway on behalf of the club’s hall of fame committee.

Monday, October 30: Was pleased to be among a large gathering at the funeral in Stafford today of George Andrews, who had a stint of two or three years as the commentator on Wolves games on The Wolf almost two decades ago. Brian Little, Lou Macari, John Rudge, Terry Conroy, Mark Grew and Andy Jones were there from the football fraternity and a large number of media friends also attended, leaving the later-comers with standing room only. George was utterly unconventional, enigmatic and infuriating but it was impossible not to like his warm heart, unfailing enthusiasm and entertainment value. He will be missed by many.