Sixty Up! A Capital Night Out
Tuesday, October 6: The early reports are telling us everything that we never really doubted anyway – the London Wolves 60th anniversary bash at Charlton at the weekend went down an absolute storm, complete with emotional address by chairman Stuart Earl. Good to see that Simon Osborn, still based in the south-east, was in attendance in addition to those who travelled from the West Midlands, namely John Richards, Mel Eves and director John Gough. A brilliant turn-out of club members as well, of course. We would expect nothing else!
Thursday, October 8: A difficult first few weeks in new surroundings for former Woves midfielder George Saville. Having moved from Luton to Bromley for an undisclosed fee, he – like the team-mates he is getting to know – is having to be patient for victories in the opening weeks of the season. Little wonder as the club near to Mick McCarthy’s home were competing in non-League less than 18 months ago and are now in the third tier.
Tuesday, October 13: Was disappointed to be absent and to miss out on a meet-up with Bolton coach Rob Kelly at the other Wanderers’ visit to Molineux tonight but managed a token ‘presence’ nevertheless. Having written up to four columns per match in the club programme for many years in the past, my now annual appearance in the publication was used inside the back cover this evening.
Wednesday, October 14: The most miserable of returns to the West Midlands for Nelson Semedo tonight as he was part of the Fenerbahce side hammered 6-0 at Villa in the Champions League. The Portuguese star’s first three visits to the venue as a Wolves player were much happier – for two draws and the famous 3-2 win in 2021 that was brought about by three goals in the final ten minutes.
Tuesday, October 20: Tonight brought us our first Wolves v Portsmouth clash outside the Premier League since 2002-03 – a Wolves promotion season, of course. The Molineux clash 24 seasons ago also finished as a 1-1 draw and Guy Whittingham was still a Football League player then, for Wycombe. The prolific former striker was chatting to Andy Thompson this evening after Steve Bull had also come down to the John Hendley media room to find him out.
Wednesday, October 21: Sad to read in the Wolves programme last night that 1970s Wolves midfielder Ken Todd had died at the age of 69. He played only five first-team games here, scoring one goal, but appeared almost 50 times for Port Vale following a £37,000 drop into the Fourth Division. He then had an unfulfilling stint with Portsmouth but still prospered in the south, playing much non-League football for Fareham, Waterlooville and Havant, the latter of whom he also served as player-manager. We send our deepest condolences to Ken’s family and close friends and remind our readers of the story here Todd Savours His Weeks In The Sun – Wolves Heroes that Charles Bamforth wrote after interviewing him in 2014.
Saturday, October 24: Another fixture that we used to be highly familiar with at this level but one which we hadn’t known for a good few years. Wolves v Watford this afternoon, watched by Andy Thompson and Jody Craddock in their radio co-commentator roles, brought a so-so performance from Cesar Peixoto’s side but the right result at least.
Saturday, October 31: Iwan Roberts and Nathan Blake never paired up as players at Molineux but were side by side there this afternoon for Wolves’ victory against Cardiff. Both had headphones on and a mic in hand in their roles as South Wales experts for local radio. Among other former Wolves players in the stadium were Andy Thompson (for the same reason), Steve Bull and Mel Eves.
Tuesday, November 2: And so West Ham lose faith in Nuno Espirito Santo and sack another head coach. The man who will always be a hero at Molineux has now had much less rewarding spells at three other English clubs since, plus a stint in Saudi Arabia. The game becomes harder and harder to understand!