TON W MP AN HA D R E E R V E L R O S W L O B N U D L O C N S S R UPPORTE Wolverhampton Wanderers LONDON SUPPORTERS CLUB founded 1966 “EVERY CLOUD HAS A HI-HO SILVER LINING” “WELCOME DEAN SAUNDERS” INSIDE THIS ISSUE G From the Chair G Wolvesʼ News G Wolvesʼ Ladies G Social News G Match Reports G AGM Minutes G Travel Details Jan 2013 FROM THE CHAIR WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS Hi and Greetings to Everybody, LONDON SUPPORTERS CLUB First things first, let me apologise for the delayed arrival of your Newsletter. Unforeseen events have been the cause, as well as our stand-in editor, Steve Honorary Life President Ray, wanting to include pictures from our Christmas Lunch event which was 1968-2007 held prior to the evening kick off against Birmingham City. On that score, my Derek Dougan thanks go to Roy Eagles for organising a splendid afternoon, and to Lawson Honorary President John Richards at The City Bar, for the super food and the first class venue. Chairman At this point, I was intending to say a few words of welcome to our Manager, Stuart Earl Stale Solbakken, in the hope that he was on the way to turning the fortunes of Deputy Chairman our team around. However, as it turns out, he was on his way....... way out of Stef Leonard the Club. It cannot be much of a surprise to any of us who witnessed some of Honorary Members the dire performances and results of late, particularly in the games against Sir Jack Hayward OBE Peterborough, Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace, and the never-to-forget match at Steve Bull MBE Luton Town in the FA Cup. Thereʼs no doubt that we have talented players in Secretary the squad, but they seemed, to me at least, lacking in direction and were Dave Slape confused at the “system” we were supposed to be playing. I think his depar - Treasurer ture was inevitable after that game and praise must go to the Chairman, Steve Tim Richards Morgan, Jez Moxey and the Board for the swift decision, and the equally swift Travel Secretary appointment of Dean Saunders. I, personally, like this appointment and wish Peter Woodifield Dean much success in the hot seat. Entertainment Officer Roy Eagles I was pleased to see that our friend, and most successful manager of recent times, Mick McCarthy, has found success in his new position at Ipswich Town. Minutes Secretary Leo Masters We will always be very grateful to Mick for arranging for us all the “Meet the Players” events and, of course, to his “surprise” attendance at our 45th Newsletter Editor anniversary dinner. I have sent him our best regards and wish him every Steve Ray success excluding, of course, any of his return visits to Molineux. Committee Members Stan Armett On the playing side, I have to say that I have been disappointed with some of Steve Ray Peter Bartlett the new signings and only Bakery Sako has managed to catch my eye. Even Bob Goddard at this stage of the season he looks to be a very strong contender for our Matthew Hawthorne “Player of the Year” award, along with Carl Ikeme who has produced some Club Contacts outstanding performances. But, hopefully, the fresh start with Dean Saunders Stuart Earl 01760 756278 will see the new managerʼs ideas taking shape, the injuries lessen, and the team regain its confidence and start climbing the table. Dave Slape 0208 764 8023 On a sad note, it was with great regret that I received the news just prior to Peter Woodifield Christmas that one of our original members, Jeff Ball, had passed away. Jeff 01634 363704 was the first Wolves supporter I ever spoke with, and was an ever present e-mail traveller on our coach adventures. [email protected] website My thanks go once again to Steve, who has stepped into the editors shoes www.londonwolves.com again, as well as compiling his match reports with the most amusing headlines. Your Committee hope that you had a great Christmas, and wish you all the best for a happy and successful New Year. designed & printed by Alp Media, Bromley. stuTd:[email protected] rg.uk E: 1 WOLVESʼ NEWS London Wolves Sponsor Wolves Ladies London Wolves announced at the Christmas Lunch that they have decided to sponsor the Wolves Ladies Team for the 2012-2013 season. Last season the ladies won promotion to the FA Womenʼs Premier League Northern Division which completed a League and Cup double. Here we can see social events guru Roy Eagles presenting a £500 cheque to ladies captain Anna Perks and last yearʼs sponsored lady Amber Quick, along with the help of old favourite Jody Craddock Leonard Junior London Wolves would like to welcome its newest member into the fold, Madilyn-Grace Leonard who was born on Saturday 22nd December, weighing in at 7lb 6oz. Baby Madilyn-Grace was an early present from Santa and our congratulations go to Jack and mother Heather who lives in Salt Lake City in Utah. That makes long-time Committee Member and former Newsletter Editor, Stef Leonard, Grandpa to an American Biddy... When Dave Slape was given the news that the new arrival weighed seven and a half pounds he typically replied... "Shouldnʼt that be dollars?"... Every oneʼs a winner when Slape's around!!!!! Robin’s Book – A Tale of Two Wanderers London Wolves member, Robin Prickett, published his own account of following two Wanderers, Wolves and the Choirboysʼ since his teen years. The Wanderers’ Years is a love story with a difference; dealing with the passion and pride of following TWO football clubs Wolverhampton and Wycombe Wanderers. From the early seduction as a thirteen year old boy to present day adulthood; the author relates to his personal experiences of following these very different clubs. He relives past encounters and stories, highlighting special matches that over 45 years of watching has brought. If you like football and life, this is the book for you. Its available on Kindle and can be purchased on Amazon for £1.98 or you can buy it from Lulu in paperback for £8.99. Jim Heath At London Wolves we are very sad to announce that lifelong fan and London Wolves member Jim Heath sadly passed away on the 18th August at the age of 53. Jim wrote 20:20 Vision which gave the most obscure, interesting, strange facts and thoughts about his beloved Wolves, and he was once featured on the Midlands Tonight News programme. WWLSC wanted to respect JIm’s memory and Dave Slape was accompanied by Jim’s daughter Nicholl, and sister Alison, to place a wreath before the Derby match at the North Bank End behind the goal, where he had spent so much of his life. In memory of Jim the London Wolves members who travel on club trips raised the magnificent sum of £150 which was divided between the Severn Hospice and Jim’s Cricket Club, St George’s in Telford. Like a true Wolves fan, and with a great sense of humour, Jim had selected the final piece of music at his funeral to be The Liquidator. 2 WOLVESʼ LADIES Wolverhampton Wanderers Women’s FC During last summerʼs London Olympic Games a crowd of 70,584 watched Team GB Women beat Brazil Women in a stunning game at Wembley, which fired up the enthusiasm for womenʼs football in this country. It was a new record for womenʼs football in the UK, but it took a long time to beat the previous record, which was set on Boxing Day 1920! 53,000 fans packed Goodison Park, with another 15,000 turned away to watch Dick Kerrʼs Ladies take on St Helenʼs Ladies. The Dick Kerrʼs Ladies were munitions workers who took over the factories in Preston while the men were away fighting in the First World War. The team became instantly successful, attracting capacity crowds, and raising money for injured servicemen. Womenʼs football started to attract more spectators than the menʼs game...and the FA didnʼt like it. An FA con - sultant said the game was “quite unsuitable for females,” and in 1921 an FA ruling banned the womenʼs game from FA pitches – pushing it onto muddy fields. The ban lasted until 1969 – nearly 50 years – when it was lifted. But womenʼs football didnʼt really start to develop until 1993, when the FA decided to take over the administration of the womenʼs game. This was 72 years after their original ban! Wolverhampton Wanderers Womenʼs FC became one of the founder members of this league, having been in existence since 1975. They were initially known as Heathfield Rovers, then became Wolverhampton & Wednesbury Tube, before taking on the name of Wolverhampton Wanderers with the formation of the FA League in 1993. After struggling financially, Wolves Women became a limited company in 1999, with several influential local business people joining the board, including BBC presenter Jenny Wilkes (Chairperson) and England Womenʼs Cricket Captain Rachael Heyhoe Flint. The club developed a strong youth programme, with teams ranging from Under 10s to seniors, and several players going on to represent England, including Rachel Unitt, Jody Handley and Emily Westwood. Aston Villaʼs European Cup-winning Captain Dennis Mortimer was appointed Manager in 2000 and successfully managed the team in the Premier League for three seasons. The 2006/07 season was a difficult one for Wolves Women, seeing them relegated to the Midland Combination on the last day of the season. This was the first time the club had been outside the top flight of womenʼs foot - ball since being invited to join the FA Womenʼs National League.