Mark Davies, illustrious Wolves Blog contributor, celebrated his 60th birthday last week and no, he is not the legend referred to in the title.
So, Scooped from Ludlow turned up, and Clive flew in from Houston, and Andrew, son of Mark, together with wife Nicola, also turned up unexpectedly, and there we all sat, in the hotel cocktail lounge, imbibing of various beverages when one of the hotel staff came in and asked Mark if he minds one more joining us for dinner.
Mark, being the obliging chap he is says “The more the merrier”, and in walks The Legend, Mr. Steven George Bull.
Of course we all knew he was arriving, except Mark, who for once was speechless, even if only momentarily.
After shaking hands with Mark, Bully asked where is John from Ludlow, and Clive who flew all the way from Texas.
He then proceeded to be the life and soul of the evening, telling football anecdotes, answering the usual “did you smack Lineker at Italia 90” and other obligatory questions.
He is extremely passionate and committed to his various charities and talked long and hard about his money making ventures for charity.
We had a wonderful evening, wining and dining, but that was only the appetizer for the following day.
After a nice early breakfast of all things fried and greasy, Mark, John, Bully and I proceeded to the local golf course, where we donned the oversized but striking gold and black shirts lovingly prepared back in Houston, in honor of Mark’s birthday.
If Bully ever challenges you to a game of golf, beware. He is brilliant. A natural athlete, and the hardest hitter of a golf ball I’ve ever seen, and straight down the fairway as well.
We had a riot of a day.
Nothing was off limits, and we spent all day taking the piss out of each other, and laughing until we cried.
At one point, after being told I looked like a girl the way I played golf, I said to Mark and John, “ I never thought I would ever say this, but Bully, f*@# off!!”
Absolutely wonderful sense of humor, and a rapier wit. True Black Country at its best.
I am crap at golf, but all throughout the day, Bully was offering advice and tips to me, trying to help.
I bet other “superstars” would not be anywhere nearly as patient and helpful.
Mr. Bull is a man of many talents, and top of the list is his humility.
Not once did he brag about goals he’d scored or games he’d played in, just answered our questions quietly and calmly, as though scoring a record number of goals for one of the most famous teams in history was no big deal.
A couple of times other golfers came up and asked the significance of the gold shirts, and then…”Are you Steve Bull??’ and every time it was a quiet acknowledgment and back to the golf.
A very, very down to earth guy from the Black Country, with no airs or graces, who is so passionate about The Wolves, and the wonderful conversations throughout the day about the current team and other teams, will of course remain private.
At one point I asked him if he gets fed up with certain questions, and he said that when he is asked if he regrets not playing at the highest level (The Premier League) he answers by saying he did, he played and scored for England, and that is as high as it gets.
The golf finally finished, but Bully was in no rush to get away, we had a coffee in the clubhouse and then drove back to the hotel, where we sat and had sandwiches and more coffee, and Bully seemed genuinely reluctant to leave.
He signed a picture for me with the words “Shit golfer, top man”
I am still walking on the clouds when I think about that day, one of the most memorable of my life. Not only meeting a legend, a footballing hero to thousands, but getting to know him slightly, and to have the piss royally taken out of me, in a wonderful way.
Steve Bull has gone even higher in my estimation, if that is possible. He is one of the best men I have ever had the pleasure and the privilege to meet.
Bully, thank you.
And thank you Mark for turning 60.
What a brilliant blog, thanks for putting that together Clive.
And what a lovely thing to do for your mate.
As for Bully, there’s nothing really to add. Top bloke and a true legend.
I’ve got a little Bully story…
I had a birthday a few years back and went for dinner at Penn Cottage. Bully was sitting at another table and my sister kept saying she was going to go over and tell him it was my birthday and ask for an autograph. Naturally, I was horrified and did not want to bother the poor bloke while he was eating.
Unbeknown to me though, my devious sister slipped out the second my back was turned and did exactly what she’d previously threatened. Not only did Bully smile and chat with my sister, he signed a birthday card for me and even waved at our table when he was leaving.
When the embarrassment had subsided, I could only stare at the autograph, grinning like an idiot.
What a birthday.
Bloody brilliant Clive
In many ways, don’t you think it is better that Bully did play in an era where commercialism stretched to a handful of goalden goal tickets and the occasional plug for Ruby Red Records?
The lifestyle of today’s modern footballer makes it so much more difficult for us mere mortals to relate to and share in their successes.
On the rare occasions we would be thrashing a team 4 or 5, it felt a bit empty unless Bully had found the scoresheet. I remember he did that against Newcastle at home, when we were about 5-2 up and they were top of the league. He bagged in injury time and the roof almost came off the South Bank. You just don’t get that today, even if it were Torres at the Kop end in a similar situation.
I was similarly overwhelmed when invited to the Wolves’ Hall of Fame evening and Mike Bailey and co were inducted. It must be something in the genes of a legend that makes them so self effacing.
Dad had told me about barrel chested Bailey, smashing through brick walls for us, and inspiring Richards and co to hit even greater heights. A leader of men.
They played a video of him in action and some anecdotes from his old teammates – one about crunching through Man City’s superstars in the 1st min of the League Cup final.
Bailey seemed to sink further into his seat with each rousing tribute, almost hiding behind that big barrel chest that Dad would tell me about.
These days, the swagger of a player depends on the size of their Rolex and depth of their paypacket – and little to do with 30 odd goals on the pitch, let alone 306.
God bless you Bully!
Nice one Clive – the most sensible post ever from you on here!
Still pinching myself about one of the best days of my life.
Wouldnt want to put any pressure on our nearest and dearest but it’ll be our turn next year. Top that!
There’s a brass band playing at west park, so we can go there. Might see if colin taylor is free. That’s a birthday present for you. Marginally better than the can of lynx Africa you got me.
Absolutely brilliant, I can’t imagine what that feels like.
I never had the chance to watch Bully play live, but even from the videos of him scoring I feel a sense of pride that we had someone so good that loved the club as much as the club loved him.
If we all club together, do you think we could send Stephen Ward to Texas for Clive’s birthday? I’m sure he’d like to keep him there!
Again, top class blog.
Great blog from a great mate, its truely humbling having wonderful pals like Clive and |John, and the beloved Rona who set the whole thing up.
Its also very humbling supporting such a great football team, and as for that man Bully, I endorse everything Clive says. His mission is to raise money to support local charities, in keeping with his days as a footballer when he was a true local hero. If any wolves fan wants to give Bully someting back, go to his website and the rest is up to you.
Now thats a great idea about Ward, can we send him by boat so he misses the rest of the season. Only problem is Clive won`t be quite so gracious with him on his arrival as he was with Steve Bull.
Great blog Clive, must have been a brilliant day for all of you. Judging by the photos Bully seems genuinely happy to be spending time with loyal fans. Can you imagine the likes of Rooney doing anything like that when he retires?
Bully scored a hatrick at my first ever Wolves match and I’ve loved him ever since. The guys a true legend and he’s the first thing most people want to talk to you about when they find out you’re from wolverhampton.
Love the idea of sending Ward over to Texas for Clive’s birthday.
He’d back off and fail to pick up the boat’s movement into the port, then run off the wrong direction, leaving a gaping hole for all other passengers to exploit. What was the game nico? I’m guessing bury in 89. I have a 1in14 chance with this don’t i?!
Right year, wrong team. It was Fulham, we won 5-2, can’t remember who scored the other ones. I’ve still got the progtamme in my parents loft. I remeber writing on the front cover “Wolves won 5-2 and Bully scored a hatrick” just in case I ever forgot.
I remember that game because fulham were winning at one point and they had an old git up front with a tash called roger Davies (?!). I was horrified we were actually losing! Heaven forbid eh? I have all my old programmes in my bedroom as we’ve just cleared out the loft (good wank material) ill have a look for it mate!
“good wank material” that’s fucking hilarious, you’re probably not even joking though.
I’m still trying to get Rach into a tight pair of scoreline shorts. Yum
All i can say is you lucky bastards. I told my wife whatever she’s got planned for my 60th birthday next year is going to be a let down. She said, ‘Well it will be now!’
Send the pratt here, I’ll learn him to play golf, with his head as the ball.
Send him now, and I’ll cough up the fare for craddock, berra and Foley, although that last one maybe deserves a reprieve after his performance at Old T.
Look out for the yellow shirts from the above blog in the Billy Quiet on Saturday, Mark and John have promised to wear them, so Bully can wave two fingers to them!!!
FOMM
Put your Houston shirt-makers in touch with the club, Clive. Those tops look much better quality than the Burrda crap the players have to wear.
Excellent blog.
WOW !!!!! Great picture!!!!!!
Privet! Welcome, our first fan from the Ukraine!!
Come on your Wolves!
Great blog, what a fun read, top stuff. I recently played at Kuta Beach Club were the Indonesian Open was held, and my playing partners told me that I could only play golf from the neck up
Never a truer word spoken !
It looked like a cracking day and what a star Steve Bull is !