Champion Trio On Stage

As League Cup final match winners for Wolves a few years apart, John Richards and Andy Gray clearly have something major and magical in common.

But Gray’s close links with the club’s other Wembley scorer in the competition, Kenny Hibbitt, may not immediately be as obvious.

So, two days before the trio reunite for a wonderful evening of gold and black nostalgia at one of the area’s top sports-themed entertainment venues, it’s our duty to whet the appetite of those thinking about popping along to see and hear these true Molineux legends.

Once more, the source of some of our information is the Scottish striker’s 1986 book, Shades Of Gray, which underlined just how highly he rated Hibbitt as a team-mate.

So much so, in fact, that he named him in the final pages in his Andy Gray XI; a line-up containing those he regarded as the best players he had as team-mates during his highly successful club career.

“Hibby is the best two-footed player I’ve seen over the past years in the First Division,” Gray wrote. “Whether it’s his right or left foot, he can pass and shoot equally well. He’s a great competitor as well and, like me, loves to win.

“Had he played in another decade, I feel sure he would have been successful on the international front as well but the country was blessed with a lot of talented midfield players. He is everything a footballer should be – skilful, hard-working and loyal to his club.”

The Cleveland Arms near Willenhall is hosting the In A League (Cup) Of Their Own night this Wednesday, with tickets priced at £15, or £35 for those seeking a VIP package. Those interested should log on to www.clevelandarms.com or ring 01902-451021.

What, with a combined total of more than 1,200 Wolves appearances and over 350 goals for the club between the three of them, there is no shortage of talking points.

A long list of other Wolves favourites have appeared at the Cleveland in the past and, if we tell you that Gray will be following the likes of Alex Rae and Kenny Miller, you may realise there is a certain Rangers ‘feel’ to the establishment!

In addition to Hibbitt, Richards and Gray lining up together when the latter touched in the only goal of the 1980 League Cup final against Nottingham Forest, fans will no doubt hear more about the 1974 Wembley victory over Manchester City from Wolves’ two scorers, Hibbitt and Richards.

Leaping forward to the mid-1980s, the one-time British record transfer buy may retell the story of how he, Kenny and their families went on holiday to Portugal with him as an Everton player – and returned with him having re-signed for Villa after Doug Ellis had found out where they were staying and flown to the Algarve with a contract.

And will Richards mention how he and Gray spent the night before the Forest final in their room with ice packs clutched to their suspect knees to ensure they would be fit to start?

For those wondering, the Andy Gray XI also contained the names of two other men with Wolves connections, John Burridge and Brian Little.

The doors open on Wednesday at 6pm for VIP guests and at 7pm for those holding standard tickets.