Express & Star Saturday, March 16, 2013 ES www.expressandstar.com 39 What’s happened to Wolves’ Wembley wonders?

Paul Bradshaw Geoff Palmer Peter Daniel George Berry Kenny Hibbitt Willie Carr Andy Gray Age: 56. Served Age: 58. Left Wolves Age: 65. Wolves’ Age: 57. Left Wolves Died in 2004 aged Age: 55. Left Wolves Age: 62. Left Wolves Age: 63. Joined Mill- Age: 57. Won the Three-point plan Vancouver White- after his second record appearance for Minnesota Strik- 57 from a brain in 1982 and played in 1984, continuing wall from Wolves in League, FA Cup and caps, Albion, Peter- spell to join the maker continued his ers in 1984 and tumour. After man- for Stoke, Peterbor- his career with 1982 and served European Cup Win- borough and police force in 1986 top-flight career with appeared at Wemb- aging Rotherham, ough, Preston and Coventry then Bris- Stourbridge twice ners’ Cup with Ever- Newport County and served for 24 Stoke for two years ley for Sunderland he played for Hull Aldershot before tol Rovers before and Willenhall ton and rejoined after leaving Wolves years in the Walsall after leaving. Played and Burnley. Player- and became a suc- graduating with a managing Walsall, before retiring. Villa before spells to reverse the in 1984. Worked in area before retiring non-league for Har- boss at Lincoln cessful TV game business degree Cardiff and Hednes- Became a sales sell- with Albion, Rangers airport security but and living in Codsall. risons, he became a before managing show captain on and becoming com- ford. Now a Premier ing bearings and and Cheltenham. now retired and liv- Also captain of landscape gardener several non-league BBC’s Question of mercial executive of League referees’ lives near Bridg- Pundit for Sky and ing in his native Oxley Park Golf and is retired, living teams. Now a taxi Sport and Sporting the PFA. Lives in assessor living in the north. Wolves sea- now broadcasting Altrincham. Club. in Telford. driver in Hull. Triangles. Stoke. Cotswolds. son ticket holder. for talkSPORT. Molineux decline

A VIEW of the malaise, misrule and misfortune at Molineux. Draw a line from the bed you were born in to the nearest professional football club: that’s probably your team, the team you support through thick and thin. And if that club happens to be Manchester United or Barcelona (or Wolves 70 years ago), then count your blessings – you have a team deserving of your loyalty. But if the team is Wolverhamp- John Richards Mel Eves Colin Brazier Wayne Clarke Norman Bell John McAlle Mick Kearns John Barnwell Richie Barker ton Wanderers, over the last 30 years or so, then with the Age: 62. Joined Por- Age: 57. Played for Age: 55. Left for the Age: 52. Joined Age: 57. Joined Age: 63. Joined Age: 62. After under- Age: 74. Managed Age: 73. Managed occasional blip of success your role has been a thankless tuguese side Mar- Manchester City, Jacksonville Tea Birmingham and Blackburn in 1982 Sheffield United and studying Paul Brad- AEK Athens, Notts Stoke, Notts County, and unrewarded labour of love. I was born three miles itimo for two years Sheffield United, Men in 1982. Later won the League with and stayed for two- won a Fourth Divi- shaw for two years, County, Walsall, Greek side Ethnikos along the A449 from Molineux; I know the pain. before retiring. Gillingham, Walsall played for Birming- Everton in 1987. and-a half years sion title medal the keeper rejoined Northampton and Piraeus and Egypt- I departed some five years ago and now Returned to Wolves and Telford. Became ham, Lincoln, Wal- Played for Manches- before settling in the before finishing with Walsall in 1981 and Grantham after leav- ian giants Zamalek. live a thousand miles away; but the Wolves are still ‘my’ as director in 1994 an agent and runs sall, Kidderminster – ter City, Leicester, area. Had several second-tier Derby continues to serve ing Wolves in 1982. Assisted at Sheffield team. During those years I have not been to a single game then MD until 2000. his own sports where he won the Shrewsbury and sales-related jobs then non-league the Saddlers as Became League Wednesday and was Now running multi- agency Eleven FA Trophy – and Walsall. Player-man- before working with Harrisons. Set up as community director Managers’ Associa- Albion’s chief scout. at Molineux, so I do not feel qualified to comment too million pound online Sports in Wolver- Tamworth. Now a aged Telford and young offenders for a landscape gar- after several roles tion’s chief executive Now retired and liv- much on the recent performances of individual players. company Pitchcare hampton. Also man- self-employed now a sales rep for Blackburn and Dar- dener but retired including goalkeep- in 1996, still serving ing in Market Dray- I’ve seen highlights of the occasional game on TV,nothing in Telford. aged Willenhall. builder in Rugeley. Pepsi in Shropshire. wen Council. and lives in Tong. ing coach. on its committee. ton. more. But I don’t need to say much, do I? Sadly the team’s current position speaks for itself. Now, forgive me for stating the blindingly obvious, but if you don’t make changes for the better, matters can only get worse. I see three viable options for the future. It may be that Steve Morgan feels he needs someone with a thick hide to protect him from the fan-flak: hence his retention of the incumbent CEO. But if the club was seen to operate openly, ambitiously and progressively there Golden memories as simply wouldn’t be any legitimate flak. Reliable, veracious communication and interface with supporters is sadly lacking. Repeatedly the representative ‘voice of the club’ is Jez Moxey’s, and he has long since lost all credibility with anyone who holds Wolves dear. Time after time it is he who attempts to put a veneer of positive spin on glar- ingly erroneous business decisions. Just how stupid are Wolves supporters considered to be? In terms of irrespon- Wolves legends return sibility, desperation and clear lack of business acumen, the timing of the sacking of Mick McCarthy could hardly be exceeded – but, astoundingly, it was: with the subsequent appointment of Terry Connor. The poor man was failure- fodder from the outset. But Moxey’s disingenuous attempts to justify the whole sorry saga simply added insult to injury: yet another example of alienating the fan base with self-righteous, but completely untenable, grandiloquence. In his stead Mr Morgan needs someone with credibility who can connect with the customers. A second option is to find a buyer for the club. Someone who is prepared to run it on a genuine football basis, who will take decisive action when necessary and who is willing to prioritise the team investment required. Mr Morgan was given the club. The team itself may have proven them- selves be worth little, but the ‘bricks and mortar’ has sig- nificant value, as does the ‘brand’ and the customer base. He should be able to turn a decent profit. Hand it over to someone who is serious about success on the pitch. If neither of these proffered options is acceptable then it must be down to the supporters to bring about change. Personally I don’t see the point of demonstrations within the stadium (you have to pay to be in there so they’ve still got your money). I don’t see that abusing players on the pitch will do anything other than demoralise them even further – it certainly won’t encourage them to raise their game. As for organising street marches, who, of relevance, takes any notice? And venting one’s frustrations in writing Golden memories – Wolves’ players celebrate their League Cup victory over Last night – back row, Geoff Palmer, Andy Gray, George Berry, Colin Brazier, (as I am doing now) doesn’t achieve much either, other European champions Nottingham Forest, courtesy of a second-half goal from Norman Bell and Wayne Clarke with, front row, Richie Barker, Willie Carr, than release of a bit of tension. In my view there is only Andy Gray, as they parade the trophy around Wembley Mel Eves, John Richards and Kenny Hibbitt at the Copthorne Hotel one way to change things and that is to hit where it hurts most: the bottom line. No business can survive without a TIM NASH watches the legendary 1980 day smoker, but when you got him on the healthy customer base and in this instance that’s the sup- WHAT a twist of fate that Bristol training ground he was exceptional.” City were in the next room. Wolves side, which lifted the League porters. In the short term, fans should simply stay away Cup, come together again and enjoys a The ex-long-serving right-back also and save their money – maybe put it in a biscuit tin The hair might be greyer or thinner, but recalled the steadying influence of late cap- towards the day, hopefully not too far away, when there is most of Wolves’ 1980 stars looked as if they special night at the Copthorne Hotel tain Emlyn Hughes – on and off the pitch. a structure and a team at Molineux worthy of their sup- could give them a game now. “He used to say ‘leave the referee alone – port. On a night where the Wembley heroes As soon as he arrived, Gray was teasing Hib- I’ll have a word with him’, and to be fair he Name and Address supplied were celebrating the 33rd anniversary of bitt about how he owed him a drink 33 years got away with a few things,” said Palmer. their last major trophy win, today’s oppo- on for making him “chase all those passes”. “Myself, George and Derek Parkin used to nents were also staying at Brierley Hill’s Memories of how they celebrated winning do all his running for him, but he was Copthorne Hotel, prompting compere Paul the cup still vary. another good trainer – in The Mermaid pub!” Good or bad – Franks to encourage guests to shout as loud While Gray recalled a full-on party at The final was in the days of only one sub- as they could at 12.30am to disrupt them! the Mount Hotel in Tettenhall and stitute – Brazier – and Gray quipped: “How As it was, Andy Gray again provided the Palmer and Carr kept the three-piece didn’t you get on, Colin? Kenny was useless, get behind them highlight as the Wembley heroes gathered band up to 6am, Berry and Richards I’d have had him off at half-time! We all went once more. claimed half the buffet had gone to hun- into game thinking we were going to get bat- I WILL put my cards on the table here and now. I am, Wolves’ former golden boy, who scored the gry councillors by the time the Wembley tered. Mind you, we had Emlyn Hughes and always have been and always will be a West Bromwich only goal in the League Cup final against party reached Tettenhall. George Berry at the back! Albion supporter. I support my local club. I read the recent Nottingham Forest that sparked the first Berry, who lived 100 yards away from the “Myself and John Richards kept looking article written by and I agree with every word reunion of the Molineux team-mates, threw Mount, groaned: “I reckon Barney was on a up to the skies – we had no choice because he wrote. a rare serious moment into a night of happy backhander!” in reference to manager John that was where the ball was all the time!” I have seen some good Albion teams and I have seen reminiscing before a packed house of around Barnwell, who used to stay at the hotel. Richards said: “We were all having a some bad Albion teams. I was at Molineux that day just 250 guests. The redeeming memory of Bell, who used go at each other watching that because Emlyn Hughes lifts the League Cup after we had sold Derek Kevan and the score ended up “All the lads who played that day and those to clean the boots of Richards in his younger some of the balls to us were following the 1-0 win against Forest Wolves 7 Albion 0. But despite that I remained an Albion who were around the club at that time are days and was part of the travelling party that atrocious...and who picked that mid- fan. privileged,” said Gray. field?!” stroke of Barnwell and Barker that nullified day, is seeing Gray and Richards running European champions Forest. No amount of booing, whistling or jeering will improve “To be part of a club that wins something down Wembley Way with the cup, long after Barker joked: “We got Emlyn in who was your side’s performance on the day. I never bothered what is extremely special and for us who took part the crowds had dispersed. great in the dressing room. Andy was too but “Playing Peter Daniel on the right-hand the players did on the pitch either before or after the in it, all we were doing is living out what all For Palmer, re-living the final again made not so good on the pitch!” side and moving me inside meant he got on match. I was only concerned about their performance on you fans would have wanted to do. him realise how much the game has changed. But the ex-Molineux assistant boss, now top of John Robertson who didn’t really get the pitch while they wore the Albion shirt. “When are Wolves going to win a major “Seeing the 90 minutes now, it would have 74, recalls plenty of debates with Gray as a kick which was important as he was so If you are a real Wolves supporter, while they are on the trophy again? If they still haven’t in seven ended up five-a-side by today’s standards,” they tried to get the best out of the team. strong for them – he was a major help in pitch playing you will support them. Yes, have a moan years’ time, we’ll all be back again for a 40th he said. “John Barnwell used to say: ‘Get Andy them winning the European Cup,” he said. about them in the pub or club after, but for those 90 min- anniversary reunion. “I noticed a tackle by Viv Anderson on away from the ball’ – he wanted Andy away Franks delivered a poem which had been utes get behind them and show them you are a Wolves fan. “We have got a room full of Wolves fans to John Richards – if that had happened today, down the inside right or left position and read out at Hughes’s funeral in 2004 in mem- I am just of an age when I can remember the Black say thank you to for that great day. This is he’d have been carried off.” wanted Kenny or Willie to put it in there.” ory of Wolves’ last major trophy-winning cap- Country ruling the roost, when England could have fielded what makes football special.” Palmer remembered how he and keeper Gray had a slightly different version: “I tain. Eves, who organised the event, read out the following: goalkeeper, Bert Williams; full-backs, Bill The banter was never far away as Gray, Paul Bradshaw used to calm their nerves the was used to getting to the front post but they an email of apology from Barnwell, who is Shorthouse and Len Millard; half-backs, Billy Wright, Joe strike partner John Richards, Geoff Palmer, night before a big away game. told me to go to the back post and head it awaiting the results of an ECG following a Kennedy and Ray Barlow; forwards, Johnny Hancox, Ron- George Berry, Kenny Hibbitt, Willie Carr, Mel “I used to room with ‘Braddy’ and I can back across goal – I told them I could get 30 fall, while revealing other team-mates Paul nie Allen, Roy Swinbourne, Johnny Nicholls and Jimmy Eves, Colin Brazier, Wayne Clarke, Norman assure you the bin in our hotel room was full goals a season at the front post but that if Bradshaw (illness), Peter Daniel (following Mullen. Bell and assistant manager Richie Barker of lager cans!” he said. they wanted me to go to the back stick and the death of his son two years ago), Derek E J Johnson met up together for the first time in three “He was one of those lads who would gam- not score I would.” Parkin, John McAlle and Martin Patching Warley decades and sat through a re-run of the final. ble on two flies running up a wall and a 40-a- Hibbitt paid tribute to the tactical master- couldn’t attend.