DJ’s Big Night Out In Liverpool

Saturday, March 8: Wolves 1 Everton 1 Heard from members of the visiting Merseyside media contingent tonight that Dave Jones – and hopefully several others with Molineux links – will be among the guests in May at a massive dinner in the city to mark Everton’s emotional impending farewell to Goodison Park. What an occasion that and the final home game will be!

Tuesday, March 18: Great to read that Mick McCarthy and David Kelly were part of a reunion in Dublin of the Irish squad who famously reached the quarter-final of the 1990 World Cup. Around a dozen of the players who wrote one of the enduring stories of Italia 90 congregated – on St Patrick’s Day, of course – to celebrate their achievements under Jack Charlton. McCarthy captained the side who were also represented at the get-together by Ronnie Whelan, Steve Staunton, John Aldridge, Frank Stapleton, Kevin Sheedy, Kevin Moran, Niall Quinn, Chris Morris, Bernie Slaven and Chris Hughton.

Monday, March 24: Loved being asked to take part this afternoon in the club’s tribute to Steve Bull on the occasion of his 60th birthday. Was whisked by members of the club’s media staff to what used to be the back entrance to the Express & Star and told for the first time what I was required to say. Sorry so many ‘takes’ were required, guys….but thank-you. It was great to have the chance to share a platform with Robert Plant, Suzi Perry, Nick Owen, Daz Hale and others.

Wednesday, March 26: Was shocked to see and read the coverage of the gambling problems that haunted Dean Sturridge. The man whose goals nearly fired Wolves to promotion in 2001-02 and then helped them up 12 months ago opened up about an addiction he admits spiralled ‘totally out of control’ on occasions. BBC Midlands Today were among those to highlight his struggles and report that he has become an ambassador for the gambling support charity Gordon Moody, which brought the Gamblers Anonymous concept from America to Britain in 1971. 

Friday, March 28: Good luck to Richard Stearman in his new role as a first-team coach at Swansea. The former Wolves defender has spent the last two years at Solihull Moors and made a big impression, helping the club to Wembley in his last season in the playing ranks and then stepping up to concentrate solely on life on the other side of the touchline as assistant head coach.

Tuesday, April 1: Wolves 1 West Ham 0 Nice to be reminded tonight of the obvious respect there is between Wolves supporters and Max Kilman. Not many players seem to return to a former club these days with no booing whatsoever but the one-time Molineux captain was treated well during West Ham’s 1-0 defeat and had a heartening send-off when he applauded the home fans at the end. It was sad for him that he was responsible for the deflection to Jorgen Strand Larsen’s match-winning first-half shot.

Saturday, April 5: Delighted to have completed a 5km Newport community walk in the hours leading up to the precious win at Ipswich today in the company of ex-Wolves secretary Richard Skirrow and the club’s long time former press officer, Lorraine Hennessy. Not wishing to miss the opportunity to help good causes, I sought sponsors at a maximum of £1.50 each and have Bob Wilson’s wonderful Willow Foundation organisation and Andrew Strauss’s charity, the Ruth Strauss Foundation, as my chosen beneficiaries. If any readers wish to make a modest contribution – please remember it was only 5km – get in touch by email and we will attempt to make the necessary arrangements, presumably for a match-day meet-up at Molineux. We have arranged a private visit to Bob Wilson’s south coast home in a couple of months’ time and will publicise the presentation we make to him afterwards, much of the amount having been accrued through the sale of our Wolves 1970s Scrapbook.