Ironically, rumours of an imminent club takeover last week delayed the release of this important post about our own quest for investment.
In short, after seven years I’ve come to the conclusion that we need to evolve and grow or fold completely.
As you’ll probably have gathered by our ever-diminishing output, both Ben and I struggle to put in the time we once did.
Last season in particular was a significant undertaking for myself, not only producing most of the content, but keeping the wagon rolling behind the scenes.
In addition to that, I’m paying for the privilege by covering the overheads, which grow annually and have recently advanced into four figures.
Looking ahead to August and the start of another 46 game league season and a minimum of at least 100 posts, I’m not sure it’s sustainable as things stand.
I’ve previously attempted to patch things up by bringing in other bloggers (massive thanks to Rasmin last season, who was excellent) and relinquishing responsibility.
The problem with this has been finding reliable people who can produce quality content, with ‘quality’ being the important word as (rightly or wrongly) I feel that’s what separates us from other fan sites.
What I want to do now is simple – transform what’s been a voluntary exercise into at least a part-time occupation for myself and one other person. And that means seeking investment.
But before I get to how I propose doing that, I want to explain a bit about what I mean when I talk about growth:
- Increased output – The most important aspect. The best blogs release at least one story a day and that’s what I’d like to work towards. I want the most loyal readers who visit daily to be rewarded with great articles and discussion. Probably ambitious in the short term, but we certainly need more opinion pieces to compliment previews and match blogs.
- Revamping the blog design – Long overdue.
- Experimenting with different formats – I quite like the idea of producing weekly/monthly podcasts and videos, although have little experience in either. That’s something I’d like to change to make Wolves Blog a more complete product, appealing to different audiences.
- Improving match coverage – The strength of the site is also it’s main weakness. I think we provide better opinion and insight on games we attend than most other sites, but unfortunately we only get a pair of eyes at 80% of games, meaning we’re basing thoughts on the remainder on second hand information. This has to be addressed. That means planting a Wolves Blog reporter at every single game. I’d also like to experiment with live reporting.
- Encouraging greater debate – I’d like to get more people involved in the comment section. I’m exploring the idea of reintroducing the ‘Top commentators’ table so everyone can see where they sit. I’d also like to introduce awards and possibly prizes for the most frequent contributors. I would also like to make sure every comment gets a response to encourage people to return. It’s that first interaction that often gets people coming back.
- Challenging the club – We’ve asked many times for access to players and staff but each time we’ve been routinely turned down by the Wolves press office. They have allowed Ben onto the Fans’ Parliament, but we want to try and do more. To ask questions, to gain insight and generally keep fans better informed.
- Engaging the community – Wolverhampton is where I’ve lived my entire life and I do feel the blog should be used to help promote important local initiatives. This should have happened already but as with everything, time has been our enemy. We can and will do more.
It’s important we grow. Eventually supporters will rely almost entirely on blogs like ours to access non-club controlled Wolves content. This is inevitable given the increasing stranglehold clubs have on their output and the declining role of local journalism. We’ve yet to even scratch the surface of what’s possible.
So how do we raise funds?
Firstly, I want to be clear that Wolves Blog has never and will never (for as long as we carry on) be a ‘pay-to-view’ product. It will always be free and accessible to everyone.
But after chatting to various people at the end of season get-together, some suggested implementing a donate button to offer readers the opportunity to make a monthly contribution. This seems like a good idea as it could solve the problem in one swoop without having to introduce adverts or other intrusive content.
So I’m introducing entirely optional £1 or £2 a month subscription / donation options, which you can sign-up for by clicking the relevant button below and following the instructions:
To sweeten the deal anyone who contributes will receive a limited edition Wolves Blog book (downloadable PDF or hardcover book at a subsidised cost) at the end of the season containing the best blogs and comments from the campaign. I will also find a way to immortalise you on the blog itself in some creative way.
The short term goal is to at least cover the overhead costs of the site and eventually have the possibility of exploring some of the other adventurous ideas suggested above.
I hope I’ve been able to explain this in enough detail and in a way that makes this move sound fair and reasonable. Either way, please do offer feedback and thoughts in the comment section below. Your opinions are, as always, very much appreciated as we look to find a way to move forward.
What’s happening ?? ….. Everything wolves is suddenly ambitious!
Pretty soon We will have nothing at all left to moan about !
Anyway .. £2 and you get all the beer you can drink at the bloggers ball seems like a great deal .. Done !
If you’re not moving forward, you’re standing still London 🙂
On a more serious note, my concern is that based on the current trajectory, we’d grind to a halt if we don’t do something semi-drastic.
Thanks for your support mate.
So you re not denying that there could be some free beer ?
Sorry, the internet is awash with opinions, the majority of them are free.
I won’t be paying to read someone’s opinion, sorry, that’s just the way I feel.
You are perfectly entitled to that opinion Wulfrune and I’m sure many people agree with you. A few counter points though…
Firstly, and most importantly, I want to stress again any contribution is voluntary. This isn’t the beginning of us becoming a pay-to-read publication. I’m simply giving people who use and enjoy the site regularly the opportunity to contribute and extend it’s lifespan. The other two alternatives are to pull up the drawbridge and fold or significantly reduce the quality and/or regularity of updates further. I’d rather quit than contemplate the latter.
On your comment about opinions being free, again a valid point, but the lines between opinion and news are becoming increasingly blurred in an online world. News is free and readily available but people still buy a newspaper because they appreciate a good editorial product, which is considered and well put together. I seldom buy a physical newspaper but I do read several newspapers on my phone/tablet daily and donate to them because I appreciate the quality of the content. That’s the inspiration behind this model. You don’t have to pay, but if you like us, you can chip in a few quid and cancel at any time.
Finally, if we’re fortunate enough to generate any significant funds, the goal isn’t to stand still but to develop beyond opinion pieces (see my above points on growth), which includes reporting and merging the lines between opinion and news further.
Signed up. I understand the reasons. Keep up the good work. It’s a new dawn. Works out at less than 7p a day so excellent value for money – just think of all the wonderful people you get to ‘meet’ and, in some cases, really meet. When, like me, you are not local this is a fabulous way to meet other like minded souls and keep in touch with the love of our lives. Heaven knows we’d never know what is going on if we relied on the club!
Thanks for the support Bedford. Much appreciated mate.
I dont think its just ” paying to read someone’s opinion” its a lot more than that.
The site is easy to navigate, unlike the Wolves official bs site, which for me, and I am guessing a lot of old farts like me, means a lot.
Also, I agree 100% with Bedders. It is a great place to make new friends. I am even farther away and like a lot of ex pats, cannot get to The Mol regularly.
So I have no problem signing up which I shall do in due course.
For me, its the least we can do for Ben and Thomas for the sterling work they have done so selflessly over the past few years.
FO wb
Thanks for the support Clive. Much appreciate mate. I will reply to your email shortly.
Not sure if you’ve been to the Molineux Mix for the past few seasons, but there’s very many good posters on there, who I’m sure would love to join the live reporting team. In particular, WS10Wolf, who is very professional with his verdicts, and comes across as a very knowledgeable person. I know for a fact people come to the forum just to read his match verdicts, so I’d try to contact him if I were you!
Thanks Erick.
I do occasionally get onto Molineux Mix and I know Ben is a more frequent visitor. They’ve also linked to some of our more important articles in the past, which hasn’t gone unnoticed.
I’d certainly welcome an introduction to WS10Wolf and will make a note to try and hunt him down and see if he’d like to contribute.
You should maybe have a button for people who are willing to pay more than £2 p/m.
How much does a match day program cost these days?!
I’ll get to work on the £1 million button 🙂
In seriousness, I know a handful of people would probably have offered significantly more than £1/£2, but I’d prefer it to be (hopefully) a nominal sum for many, rather than a greater outlay for fewer.
Thanks for your support Sleachy. Much appreciated mate. Where were you at the end of season bash?
F&£King how much Thomas?
Are there any concessionary rates?
Notice……. to all of my TWIX munchers ….. Due to unexpected budget changes I will no longer be able to keep your hungry mouths awash with chocolate, biscuit and delicious gooey toffee filling.
I’M IN…..
£1 a month at Poundland for Twixes, £1 a month for the blog. Easy mate.
Thanks for your support mate, much appreciated.
Scooped and Benbow eat £1 of Twix’s each every home game… Greedy sods !
Bloody cheek. Tried to palm us off with some Lion Bars at one point last season.
And the sell by date on those was 1997!!
Anyway, now you’ve sold the chateau in France you should be upgrading to snickers all round!
Will get you some bread pudding at the speedway on Monday mate:)
IMO Most of the regulars here will stump up including me …
This web site is a regular way of sharing our thoughts and in the past particularly an avenue to criticise our dear management on our quest to re -achieve our status as a football club.
As we know the quest seems to be going in the right direction to say the least..
The problem this could create is that we are a ‘closed shop’ by financial subscription compared to other sites and comments given are controlled by the fact that one must financially contribute to add a view therefor creating a bias to the regulars..
It wouldn’t be an open forum which is the real views of the fans all be it ones that have to subscribe…you could loose that objective..
It could become a committed lobby group though..
‘Wolves news and views’ (I only subscribe here not on that site)have about 8000 members im not sure what Wolves blog has but I can see the ambition of trying to upgrade the site into a more formidable medium..
My criticism of monthly payment is that if the site wants to be more commercially viable then the obvious is to inject more time into creating more income by advertisers and being able to use the profile of our data base..
It would take a half decent commercial manager (or an agency ) only 30 hours a week to prospect advertisers and sponsors that would be worth far more money ….
This way we wouldn’t restrict membership or indeed put off potential new members who have considered joining other sites.
This thread is almost as important as the clubs involvement with selling to new owners..
We’ve heard the term printed here more than once and denied ‘elitist group?’ as a potential cross road with so much going on you seem to of put Wolves Blog on the line too..
Wolves blog is part of my weekly life style and I’d hate to see this change.
Thanks for the support Steve.
Again though, we’re not becoming a closed shop by any means and it’s not really a ‘subscription’, it’s a ‘donation’. If you don’t want to donate, you don’t have to and it won’t affect your ability to read articles or leave comments. It’s completely optional now and always.
I have explored hunting down advertisers and commercial sponsorship (believe me), but it’s proven quite difficult as local businesses tend to be sold ad space by newspapers, magazines, radio stations, event companies and various others daily. And again, it’s a time commitment. Sadly I don’t have the dosh to pay anyone to do 30 hours a week nor the time to do it myself.
This is why, after much consideration, I thought this optional donation was the logical and fairest approach to pursue.
With all the talk of take overs would be so much better for all concerned if the club came out and shed some light on what is actually happening.
I drop in and read some of the blogs from time to time and on the whole find the opinions enlightening although there are a few unfortunate soles on here that should spend their time and efforts elsewhere…..
My opinion for what it’s worth is as follows
The powers that be have allowed the momentum of the club falter beyond repair over the last season, we started the 2015/16 campaign with high hopes and the dream of better things to come but without the right injection of transfer funds we were left trawling the dregs of the transfer/ loan market and bringing in all players no one else really wanted.
Players have seen the lack of ambition with in the club and have taken the decision to leave for pastures new and in a career where the life span could be relatively short can we really blame them…funny though that the so called big names who have left have never really got that break they so desired where as the unsung heroes have gone on to prosper…Vokes an example of this along with a few others who will be plying their trade in the premiership this season….I’m sure everyone has read team sheets and said oh! He used to play for us at Wolves….if we could put all those players on one team sheet what a descent side we would have.
I’ve been a fan since I received my first footie kit at the age of 5…..one life one club strange how once you pick your team it’s a bond that never breaks through good and bad…and we all know just how bad it’s been…..won’t deny it would have been so much easier if that shirt had been a Barca one..lol
Fingers crossed the takeover is for real and that the bell tolls for change at the Molineux really soon for all concerned.
Last thought should be for Kenny Jackett who has stopped the decent into oblivion at Wolves but I feel who has now gone as far as he can with the club …Time for change is upon us
Out of the darkness come th the Light
As a regular reader who lives some distance from Wolvo’, I really value the blog as a way to discuss the club with like-minded souls. This makes it of immense value so a couple of quid a month is neither here nor there. The wider implications of subscriptions needs more careful consideration, which I’m not prepared to do while I’m supposed to be on holiday.
At the moment however, I’m happy to stump up.
Thanks for the support Wolfstroker. Much appreciated mate.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have introduced the word ‘subscription’ as I suspect it’s created confusion. It’s an optional donation that you can cancel at any time. You’re not tied in and whether you donate or not, it won’t change anything in terms of your ability to interact with the site.
Well, count me out!
I’m not prepared to stump up my hard earned cash to have to read the opinions of morons such as Clive, StuWolf, Bedford, Twixfix, Steve Showcase, TheDOOGooder (what sort of a name is that?) and all the rest of the bloggerati.
I’m sodding off to another blog.
Don’t be a pratt, I will send BorderWolf to visit. It’s wort paying to avoid that fate.
Oi !!! That’s moron discrimination.. What about London .
I’d like to think I’m a much bigger moron than those ameturs!
Sorry about that London. I didn’t think I had to mention you.
It goes without saying.
And me …… what about me? Am I not in the moron club too!
Like many others on here I really enjoy the banter and the opinions of others, how would we survive without Clive’s weekly FoWB and 5-1 prediction.
like many others I would be concerned about turning this into a subscription only site, but I suspect that is the last thing Tom has in mind. I have sent some other thoughts to Tom in an email, but I will be in when I have had a reply.
Thanks Tipton. Appreciate your support mate.
It is indeed the last thing on my mind. Again, to repeat, the site will never be subscription only or pay-to-view. It will always be free and accessible to all. It’s a donation, not a subscription. I’m regretting using that word.
Will reply to your email shortly.
It’s OK.
The medication took rather longer to kick in than usual.
Of course I would be prepared to do whatever is necessary to keep the blog going.
Most of your suggestions make a great deal of sense to me Thomas. Which should immediately start alarm bells ringing considering the state of my brain.
What I wouldn’t want to see happen is for the blog to lose it’s intimacy and humanity and end up looking like any other ‘professional’ all singing and dancing production.
But, in the meantime, please accept my £2 a month and, if you ever need a silly video to fill a blogspace, you know where to come.
Thanks for the support Doog.
Short term my aspirations stretch no further than:
a. Maintaining the blog at existing levels
b. Increasing output
The other stuff is all ‘blue sky’ thinking at present, but rest assured if it comes to making changes to the site, it will be a case evolution not revolution. Neatening up the edges rather than major surgery.
I could easily have changed how the site looks in terms of layout/appearance over the years, but have chosen to maintain the status quo for the precise reasons you note.
I’m being slapped in line can we pay £24 for the year …call me elitist ..
I refuse to comment on references from others regarding myself, I shall visit & bring the dog!!!!!
I’m in Thomas, just make it a donate via PayPal as an option as it’s easy to do & loads of people use it these days.
Thanks for the support Border.
I did look into PayPal but perhaps not in enough detail. I’ll revisit and possible offer it as an option if there’s enough appetite.
If you have your own personal PayPal then if you email me the details I’ll pay directly into that in one go rather than monthly if that’s easier.
Done. I’m in for two big ones a month! That won’t break the piggy bank. If you don’t get enough sign-ups why not consider selling advertising space? We could have all sorts of dodgy lads-ads offering a chance to date a teenage Russian nymph with big knockers! On second thoughts maybe not.
Any truth in the rumour that Jez Moxey applied to go on Dragon’s den? He had this great wheeze about raising finance to buy a football club….
Thanks for the support Dances.
Ad space is always readily available but difficult to sell with so many other people offering similar.
p.s. what sort of websites do you spend your time on when not here? 🙂
I see what you mean about ad space Thomas, it’s not the easy answer it seems then.
Re Wolves websites, I also post on E & S. I keep an eye on Wolves Rumours, Birmingham Mail and Molineux Mix.
I’m London based and my local club is Chelsea. I have two season tickets at Chelsea. Hopefully season 2017/2018 will see Wolves playing at the Bridge again in the PL.
What’s all this subscription only nonsense? That’s not what was said. My understanding is the website will be the same as it is now, but with a new design, more content, more good stuff, and that those who want to donate can do, while those who don’t want to don’t have to.
I thought that was quite obvious from what Thomas said. No?
I like all the others see this website as a means of keeping up with Wolves and would miss it if it wasnt there. How could anyone not want too see Clive’s 5-1 prediction or the heartfelt comments of fellow supporters.
It seems like you have the kind of following and support that hopefully will keep you going for a long time to come. I would certainly give a £24 one off donation via paypal if such an option were available too
Count me in too
Thanks for the support Amber. Much appreciated.
If you want to email me via your paypal email address to tom@thomasbaughmedia.com I can send you a link for one off donations, but please don’t feel obliged.
But let me take the opportunity to restate that anyone who signs up using the links above can cancel at anytime, simply by removing the direct debit from their account themselves or sending me an email so I can remove it my end. It’s no pressure or obligation.
I’m anti, Never, Never. Always felt for me poor old mum, when the Clubbie man came round each month, we had to pop to Radio Rentals each week to pay the Tele and we all got our clobber out of the Catalogue.
Im like “The Elitist Moneybags Showcase” and the girls, count me in for £24 large ones annually, it must just require another box with an annual option when we give our details. Or as the girls say Paypal.
I’d certainly miss being amused by Colin, Doog, and others, abused by Clive, London loyal and Befordshire, and confused by spellcheck. Come on folk, your other option is……Express & Lie and I’m sure Ben will back me up on this one, Dim Tim get’s his info.
So no brainer, thanks guys for the sterling work.
Thanks for the support Stu. Much appreciated mate.
See the above message to Amber regarding PayPal.
I rest my case with spellcheck or whatever fecks my posts up.
“Dim Tim get’s his info from us” that Should have read. You press that send button and you risk legal action sometimes.
Can we have an edit after the event button Thomas,?
I can recognise the issues of runing a Wolves website, particularly single handed, and the fact that there is never enough time to get the things done that you need to. I have sadly let my site go and in fact am now down to the last few loyal patrons who have stayed with me over the past several years. I hope you manage to turn things round and make it a great success.
Thanks for the kind words mate.
It is indeed a difficult challenge and I tip my hat to anyone who can do it in any way consistently over an extended period of time. I’m very fortunate that we have many outstanding contributors who always keep the conversation fresh and lively in between new posts.
What’s the site if you don’t mind me asking?
I have a rumourmill at http://www.wolvesnews.co.uk/rumourmill.html the rest of the site at wolvesnews.co.uk I have moth balled and is severely neglected
.
Can’t often get to matches (got a wife and 4 kids to feed man!) and you have the best wolves based insight out there so I think £2 a month is a small price to pay!! Will sort shortly
I’ll pay 2 quid per month worth it.
To change the subject slightly Express and Lie ain’t put nothing out all morning.
I get the feeling something is going to happen today. They know something.
Very happy to contribute. Worth every penny, even though I never get to a game.
Yes this is a brilliant blog, informed views & measured.
I’ll do the £2:00 option. Great idea hope it works.
I’m a long time lurker and rarely, if at all, comment but I had a few thoughts after reading through the predicament that this blog finds itself in. I don’t know anything at all about barriers to entry or anything like that, but have you thought about switching platforms all together? The one that instantly comes to mind is SB Nation (this is a US site, so completely understandable if you want to keep things on the UK side of things but there are countless other European blogs up on that site (e.g. one for every premier league team, Reading has one, Fulham, Forest, Leeds, etc. full team list here: http://www.sbnation.com/blogs?&_ga=1.221715928.1974384168.1431522384#soccer) I know it’ll get destroyed on here because it calls itself soccer but worth a look)
Reasons I’d recommend this site:
– After reading through what you’re trying to accomplish, I think the community aspect is easily the biggest draw. Commenting on those sites is much, much easier than commenting on here.
– There is an opportunity for “fan posts” and “fan shots.” Fan posts are longer form pieces that anyone can write and post up on the board (it has to be approved of course). However, these go in a less prominent section and can be on any topic at all really. (Think, I want to write a piece of targeted LB’s that I want to sign and get other people’s feedback, I’d go here) …. Fan Shots is more short links/clips (Think, I’m interested in getting together to watch the match at some location and want to see if anyone is interested)
– The layout and format of the site tends to cede itself more to the daily content that you seek. Almost all of the sites that I visit in that network have a “daily links” post, and that tends to drive the daily comment section. Then, long form articles are written and the comments there are intended to be on the topic written.
– I love this site as it’s easily the most reliable source of Wolves opinions out there but one “complaint” that I’d have is that these comments sections tend to be all over the place and never focused on one topic. That’s fine for the daily links section described above but as this site evolves as you intend and more focused pieces are written, it would be nice to have all of the comments focused on one topic, for a thorough, organized discussion.
– I know this sounds like I’m some sort of paid advertisement but I swear, I have no skin in the game. I only ask that if you are trying to revamp the blog, to take a look at some of those sites and see if it can’t work out.
Sorry for the lengthy post, I thoroughly enjoy this blog and just wanted to add some input if you’re trying to revamp the site.
COYW
Just like my dreams they fade and die………………….
Final table in the mortgage lender’s Euros Predictor thing I was in and was leading up until the semi-finals;
1 Eden grove 51
2 ewancam 50
3 BedfordWolf 49
4 DTatnall 49
5 lofty73 47
6 dantea 46
7 dmules 45
8 RDavies 43
Damn – but 3rd place out of about 500 I think wasn’t too bad. That Brompton ‘Chalkie’ Wolf better watch out that’s all I am saying.
Only too happy to support this blog and it’s strange, unusual and odd family.
🙂
I don’t mind donating 20 quid for the year. Incidentally, I have just looked out of the window and seen a gnat flying about by next door neighbours pond. Surely this must have something to do with the el-nino shift in weather patterns and the local climate in Beijing. The significance of the gnat should not be overlooked when determining the outlook for the Chinese lucky number. In this case 15. I therefore confidently predict that Mr Li will be striding around Molineux in a Wolves hat on Friday.
I haven’t posted for a while, due to various things – incl holiday, the total lethargy of last season, lack of much to say and, more recently, the Blog going where we’ve tended to avoid in the past – politics, and some apparent joy at what I reckon firmly to be one of the worst political decisions of my lifetime and feel devastated about. Just needed to get that out of my system. Actually, the number of blog commentators also seemed to have reduced to something closer to a hard core, but then that’s probably the close season and again the effect of last season and in the end it comes back to the same thing of needing more of us to get involved. Equally the comments emerging from the potential takeover show that even after 55yrs I’m a mere also ran amongst the top, passionate bloggers!
And having said all that, Thomas, Ben and Rasmin do an amazing job providing insightful reports and getting under the skin of a club that has completely lost the plot as far as communication is concerned (and in managing a football club generally!). Remarkable, really. They also provide more of a community than I had ever previously had as an ever-distant Wolves fan. So I can see the need for financial support, the amount is reasonable and I guess I’ll cough up when I get my blogging arse back in gear.
And now I see Macca is likely to be on his way…..what is it about bloody Fulham??
Happy pay my 20 odd South African rand per month to be part of the Wolves family!
I haven’t tended to post on here of late but still read the blog regularly. I find it one of the most informative a blogs around. £2 what can you get for that now? Not even a 10p mix up, so you can have my contribution gladly. On another note I see Kenny may be departing us, I would like to thank him for one of our most memorable seasons in recent history, Yes it was in the 1st/3rd division but a great season non the less. I like many other fans have never seen real success with Wolves and I’m really hoping that this may be our time. UP THE WOLVES!
Yeah. Whatever we think about KJ I can say that I never found him to be deceptive with the truth. He was always up front and honest. We have had worse than him. Good luck in the next job. You deserve it.
Worse than him o yes. last week they were bigging up Hoddle for the England job, lord help us, Saunders might have been assistant had he not been welsh. Over the last half of the 20th century and into the 21st we have had our fair share of shite. A few months ago I was in the Great Western, took me ages to find out how to get to it with all that new development. Still the same in the bar, happy blurry days.
Perhaps its me but this is the only place i know who is saying what and what who is saying – will donate for sure.
Although I do not contribute very often “THE blog” is a must read for any Wolves supporter.
Consequently for me it’s well worth £2.00 per month. We can’t afford “THE blog” to go the same way as ALOB – in my opinion the much loved and much missed fanzine whose regular contributors used to make me double up times – a lot like THE blog” in many ways.
Keep up the good work Thomas and Ben and the regulars.
BOG.
One other thing I meant to say earlier, regarding Thomas’ ambitious ideas….from my involvement in a fairly new and very successful book festival, I know that developing further while maintaining what’s already good is quite a challenge. You want to bottle that which makes it successful – so while the ambition is good, hopefully the current spirit of the blog can be kept.
Meant to say did we all remember that Euro final winning goal scorer Eder was widely rumoured to be moving to Wolves on loan from Swansea in January? Never happened of course but for a good two weeks we were constantly linked with him back then. Funny old world.
Also, mainly for the benefit of a few Bloggers – you know who you are – Mrs BW had some reasonably encouraging results today from her recent MRI scan and whilst we have not as yet departed the woods (and maybe never will completely) we can at least see a chink of light in the distance which is a heck of a lot better than yours truly was fearing. Out of darkness? Not yet but like our beloved Wolves at least we have some hope for a brighter tomorrow.
UTW!
Wow, Give her a huge hug from me and Clive, He’s not allowed to say stuff like that Marla get’s the hump.
Wonderful Dave, Life is a lottery and you need balls to play it mate. well done you two love you both.
What with Brexit and Li it just keeps getting better in your household don’t it. Latest on the Tinternet is that it may just be DING lei that’s the buyer not Robin but as Robin has only 1 billion more of a fortune, we ain’t going to be heading for the nearest cliff am we.
Roll on tomorrow, good news is always just a day away.
Well done the Bedders family.xx
Hiya Bedford …. Mrs T and myself would just like to wish Mrs B and yourself the very best in your challenges ahead. Xx
Big love from me and the PMDG’er Bedford.
Appreciate what you’re both going through mate and if she gets as much strength from you as I have from Sue, she’ll be fine.
It’s all been said been said before but fingers crossed from me and Mrs Exiledwolf too. The same goes for the CHEESE below.
Bedders, all joking and piss taking aside, please give your much better half love and best wishes from Texas.
I have a sister in law who has just learnt she has to go back for more chemo, for the fifth time, to battle spinal cancer.
Our own dear Doogle had his fight earlier this year, and it brings it all home that none of us will get any younger, and we will all lose the ultimate fight eventually.
All of the bollocks going on and of the pitch at The Mol, whether we are tooken over or not, and whom so ever we support, is totally insignificant and irrelevant compared to the fight some folks have.
And on top of that, she has you as a husband!
Some people are just born unlucky!!
Keep the faith, we are all pulling for you……….except London who is pulling something else!
FOwb
Hey Bedford. Hang in there mate. I had my own truama last November when being diagnosed with a rare skin cancer. Luckily surgery seems to have cured it. I remain under surveillance for the time being. So far so good. In solidarity with you and Mrs B.
Well said Boys.
This blog is feckin Ace, and the folk on it are feckin acer.
Onwards and Upwards Bedders
Wolverhampton Wanderers takeover to be announced Tuesday?
By Neil Wilkes, Editor
Filed: Monday, July 11, 2016 at 23:45 UK
Last Updated: Monday, July 11, 2016 at 23:49 UK
The FA has reportedly given the greenlight to Chinese billionaire Robin Li’s takeover of Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
According to reports on social media, paperwork on the deal – which will see Li buy out current owner Steve Morgan for a figure believed to be between £40m and £60m – was completed on Monday afternoon.
The club is said to be planning to formally announce the takeover on Tuesday, ten months after Morgan decided to put the side up for sale.
Li’s estimated fortune of £10.6 billion would make Wolves the English side with the second wealthiest full owner, behind only Premier League heavyweights Manchester City.
Rumours have suggested that Li’s first act as owner will be to replace manager Kenny Jackett with former Porto boss Julen Lopetegui.
I could cry. I really could. My beloved Wolves. My team. In my heart. For ever. This is fuckin ace. Is it all a dream? I will not post on here again until Wednesday.
Nick Powell signed for us at £16000 per week ..Bruce pissed off at Hull..
Add K Mac to that too lol
…is this the beginning?
COYW
It’s a beginning for us and the end for them. There is a Dog.
I can see a monster thread coming here..Thomas get ready..
After a life riven with disappointment and despair(exaggerating for effect there, to be honest), I can’t accept it will happen, until it actually has. Something is bound to go wrong. I shall remain calm……….YEEEE-HAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
I was nt pulling anything Clive .. I was just washing quickly
( big hug from further south bedders)
Rumour s rife about announcement today? !
Please let it be today I can’t take much more.
My wife thinks I’ve lost it.
She ain’t seen morning yet.
I don’t always comment, but I follow the blog avidly. Happy to donate £2 a month to keep things running, sort of like a Barcelona style fans buy out for the blog!
As for Mr Li, I will be keeping my fingers crossed!
Having read this blog for years before posting , I now quite enjoy contributing and have no problems paying such a nominal fee for the pleasure!
That said , it’s now into Tuesday so can somebody give the mol a ring and Tell em to pull their finger out , I need I need , I want , I want
Valium …more Valium..nerves jangling…??
We may have to hold our breath until Thursday as Poxey is off to London today.
This extra info coming off the Chinese website indicates there is a possibility it could be Robin Li & Ding Lei together at Wolves. That’s a combined wealth of £19.6 billion. OMG, or as Clive would say OM F in G.
NB
That’s the first time it’s been posted anywhere in China, promising signs.
This is impossible! Come on someone. Let me know what’s happening, I can’t concentrate on my painting. Sat here constantly checking Twitter for news. I’m 63 for Gods sake. You’d think I’d have grown up by now…
Team news released for friendly against crewe.
Neumann – German Goalie
Bruno Alves Kyle Walker Carvahlao
Deli Ali Mario Gotez Nani
Griessann Ronaldo Rashford Suarez
Subs,
Ikeme
Conor Ronan
Niall Eniss
Daniel Armstrong
Rooney
Muller
Has Bale been sold for ‘footballing reasons’?
Got a strict dress code at our posh club, if he gets rid of that hairband and ponytail we may consider him as one for the future.
Thomas and Ben, this is the best Wolves site around and I’ve just signed up. The articles are much better written here than Wolves website and E & S in my opinion.
I noticed a comment regarding free opinion and your comments on newspapers are entirely correct. Yes, you can get opinion for free anywhere on the internet but what you get here is different from most other fan sites (which I no longer visit). Here you get a sensible, balanced argument from both writers and contributors – even Clive says something sensible once a season 😉
Cheap at half the price
Nice one thanks for sharing
– Shane
I wouldn’t worry about the two-buyer rumour. It’s probably partly rehashing old rumours about Ding Lei.
There seems no doubt that Robin Li is involved. If it’s a partnership with Ding Lei that would be extremely unlikely but on the other hand it could be even better than a single buyer! Strangely the Daily Mirror said last week that two buyers had signed NDA agreements with Wolves, so maybe there is a glimmer of truth but nothing to worry about.
We don’t want Ding Lei being disappointed in missing out on Wolves and buying WBA instead, now do we?
Just seen that picture on the E&S of greasel sitting on a train, pretending to use a laptop thingy.
Strange that there are no other passengers in sight!
He really is Billy No Mates!
If Moxey took anyone with him, they’re in cattle class. Moxey is clearly sitting in first class!
It’s ironic too that the seat next to him isn’t his (or looks occupied) BUT the cheeky fat Fecker wants the whole table to himself….
Richard Branson ought to charge him double !
Wolves in for reading midfielder , just a thought but who is agreeing to these signings if there is to be a major change in back room and management !! Will the new guy agree ! Has he already agreed ! n d a agreements ? Right dna ? My head hurts
When did Clive say something sensible ?
Every morning when I look in the mirror, see my handsome face and say “Good Morning, you much better looking bastard than London”
And, FOwb
Are Moxey and Thelwell staying on board ?
Colin ….do you mean on board the train …with a one way ticket out of the Mol …please please let it be ……
According to Daily Mail, Powell now expected to sign for Wigan!!!????
Transfer block on until takeoves, One thing KJ didn’t do was lie. So two more sleeps.
Looks like there is a block on season ticket sales also, had a look and no way can you buy one ot the moment. Only terms and conditions available. Price increase??????
They have installed a new high-tech ticket sales system and it went’ ‘live’ today – or so the lady in the ticket office I spoke with today told me. Am guessing that’s the problem rather than anything takeover related.
Good News and Bad News.
Good News is, The reason Moxey is in London is he’s presenting the business plan as proof of funding for due diligence.
Bad news, The Telegraph covering the story on wolvesnewsnow says, “they have given Thelwell the names they want and Moxey will stay upstairs.
I m going to get slaughtered for this but I don’t really care that moxey is staying , I’ve never thought that he was the problem. Steve Morgan was in charge of jez moxey and jez moxey has to do as he is told .
I have spoken personally to jez moxey at length on A couple of occasions as indeed have a couple of the writers on this blog
I know for a fact that not so long ago he begged Steve Morgan for 50 million and promised to double his investment as that was all we needed to get promoted . Steve Morgan flatly refused !!
When he was allowed to spend the money in the McCarthy era , he did , and I am sure he will do as he is told under the command of the new owners , who I reckon will want to spend the money .
I am however glad to see the back of Steve Morgan , who started well enough but his heart was clearly not I the club after a couple of setbacks . I couldn’t give a toss about Thelwell either .. Don’t know where we got him from or even who or what he is . Jordan graham seems the only exciting find under his reign .
But let’s be honest and get the elephant out of the room ( not jez moxey ) our club was a good buy for this billionaire investor as it was debt free .redrows lawyers would have been highly astute and would have helped a deal move swiftly with out us getting conned .wolves own all its assets.. And has a category 1 training and youth development academy that is producing players . As a supporter I have been wasting my time watching wolves this season but as a business man I would look at that proposition as a ‘tidy little ship’ so my point being .. I’m glad he’s gone but we ve been left in a good state eh !?
I certainly won’t slaughter you for that, London.
And I hope I don’t get slaughtered for saying that I really feel for Kenny Jackett.
He has retained his dignity and his professionalism throughout all this and I think the way he has been treated by the club is pretty poor.
He has been the one person at the club who has always been willing to speak to the press when all other mouths are tight shut and has kept on doing his job when he must be devastated at what is panning out.
I suppose it was never likely that he would get the chance to see if he could cut it with some money to spend but now we, and he, will never find out.
If the take over actually happens and KJ gets his marching orders, I for one will wish him the very best in the future and thank him for the job he did in turning the club round and winning back the fans when we were all in the depths of despair.
Fans’ memories are short but, for all his faults, I will remember Kenny with fondness.
Absolutely agree
I won’t slaughter you either. I know Morgan has been the problem. His impetuous, irrational and emotive decision making has been our undoing. When he sacked McCarthy, Moxey asked him to sleep on it. He didn’t, just as he insisted on storming into the dressing room when we lost 3-0 at home to Liverpool. He should have hired Steve Bruce but didn’t and unbelievably gave Clipboard the job. Solbakken was also Morgan’s bright idea and no doubt sacking him was too. Saunders was Morgan through and through, recommended by Liverpool mates.
Finally, he saw sense and agreed to hire Jackett but didn’t go to the press conference. Morgan never gave Jackett the backing and it just got worse and worse. Morgan’s short-fuse was apparent when we lost to Bournemouth the season before last.
Morgan may be a great businessman in his own field but he knows bugger all about football. He just thinks he does.
JM: “if I spread all me stuff about, I can make sure no bugger sits next to me”.
US: “But no bugger wants to sit next to you Jez, that’s why we’re all chipping in £2 a month to Thomas so he can hire a very special first class coach for your very important self going on your very important train journeys to London to order the new pies from Harrods food store”.
We will not know the truth for a long time, but if Moxey has brokered a deal to set us up as the 2nd richest club in the UK, I for one would be happy for him to stay. Why, Clive is screaming in my ear. Well as London has quite clearly pointed out when he’s been ordered to save cash he’s done it. When told to spend I’m sure he will be competent at that too.
My only concern is that he cannot be allowed to make any footballing type of decisions, yes buying players chosen by the manager but his main function should be controlling money or spending it.
Remember, whoever the Li or Lei is that takes over, he didn’t get that rich by letting people like Moxey make crucial decisions
I’ve said before that if Moxey pulls off the 2nd biggest deal in history he truly deserves to be thanked..
The size of the wealth of ownership puts Wolves on (the world map) and just for the record Clive old mate your chums at west brom will be jumping off motorway bridges vomiting when the news breaks..
Talk about overkill …we don’t just compete with rivals our new status obliterates (them all) with a small fart..
So lord Moxey for me or Sir or Demi God..it’s that big a deal…
As for KJ he’s so much out of his depth it’s like him swimming in the middle of the Atlantic..so I wish him luck too..
I refer to our 2-2 draw with shrewsbury that ‘he was pleased with’
Moxey staying MUST only be a temporary measure – if it’s true – in a handover type capacity. The man is incompetent, arrogant and a liar and holds the Club’s supporters in contempt.
I have said it before but this idea that he is a sound financial manager is a myth. His idea of financial management belongs in the 1920’s and he is devoid of vision or the ability to appreciate the bigger picture. He is the sort of ‘boss’ who keeps the toilet rolls locked in his drawer and if anyone needs the loo they have to go to him and ask for a few sheets.
On a lighter note bought tickets today for Northampton v Wolves on Tuesday 26 July – anyone else going?
How do you know about the toilet roll s bedders ?
Bedford ..
..surely you would be thankful if he’s responsible for elevating Wolves as a top pl side that could be in the champions league..?
Would it not be all is forgiven?
Meant to say to Stu, Mrs Stu, Twix, Mrs Twix, DOOg, Mrs DOOG, Cheeseburger, London, Clive, Mrs Clive and everyone else who have posted messages of support – THANK YOU.
And Clive you are an absolute bastard! Your message was so heartfelt that it reduced this soon to be 60 year old idiot (an incredibly youthful and devilishly handsome and debonair idiot mind you) to a few tears.
Well I said I wouldn’t post on here again till Wednesday. I was also NOT going up the pub. I have failed on both counts. It’s all too much. BUT reports in Telegraph say it could be 3 more weeks. This means there must be an outcome by 31 July. So any day between now and then. I will keep calm and keep ticking the days off untik then. I have a suspicion it will be before then and my mystic gnat, Harold, has already indicated 15 July.
Oh .. So you have to ask jez for some tissues after Clive said his annual sensible comment .
Lets not forget the rich history of our club. A few years ago i put together a collection of programmes from the floodlight friendlies a series of matches that caught the imagination of the sporting world and laid the foundations for the European cup and perhaps even the modern era of international football.
On Moxey i do think he comes up with to many schemes to screw more money out of the more committed supporters. On Morgan i am disappointed. He did some good things with the academy etc but ultimately his nerve failed him. Having sold the club for 40-50 million more than he paid for it i have heard it said that he is still going to claim to be out of pocket. Lets see.
Agreed Col ! But let’s not underplay Morgan’s legacy which is the academy. It looks like it was a very important investment for a lot of reasons.. Like people have said he fucked a lot of things up but he got that right eh
Happy to contribute to keep this great site going. When Paddy The Fleas blog stopped updating I checked it for months after. Whoever Paddy was he certainly put in some effort for his love of the Wolves. It would leave an even bigger hole in my online routine if this site packed up as well. You guys have put in some much time and definitely have the technical and journalistic ability.
Its going to be one hell of a rollercoaster this season by the sounds of it. It would be terrible to follow the ride without the comments of all the brilliant characters on here.
Gosh, I forgot Paddy the Flea. Yes, that was a good site. Does anyone know his identity? Maybe he comes on here in another guise….
I backed him for a long time London though partly because i thought we wouldnt find a more wealthy owner and i was a bit wrong there ! Incidently i am proud to have a young relative in said Academy.
Sorry to have come to the party a little late but I have had a number of other distractions of late.
Concerning the subject of this post, I totally agree with earlier comments that for the first time in my 50+ years of following Wolves I feel part of a community. I think it goes without saying that we all appreciate the time and effort (and expense) that Thomas and Ben have put into the Blog. So, no question, I’m happy to donate £2 per month (but would prefer a £24 annual payment option).
On that other matter that is occupying all our thoughts, the anticipation is killing. I do hope that we have a successful resolution in the next day or so, if only for our collective health!
Ticket office will be back up and running tommorrow midday. It was servicing for the new card system to be sent out soon.
ST’s available again tommorrow “HELD AT SUMMER PRICES”. Sleachy, get in there now mate, buy Bens and get the first couple of games tickets for yourself. When it’s your Birthday get down there and buy your seat at half price.
Do you mean Scooped ? ….he’s already done it… Yesterday.
Do you mean Scooped ? ………he’s already done it …yesterday .
Yes and fantastico, see what I did there, goto the lingo alreadyo.
I’ve done the D.D.
Will comment on the Takeover when it’s official.
Am interested, even excited, at seeing the details.
It will be soon.
It’s great to see how much this site means to us all . I was having a chat with Thomas at the end of the season and I made the comment that I thought we are now an on line’ load of bull ‘
Whether he agreed with me or not , he told me through his clever use of jigger bite tech floppy drive things..just how many thousand people visit this site etc .. Just wish I could remember what the fuck he was going on about . Maybe you you tell people the stats tom if you get chance as I can’t remember the exact figures.
Thomas very happy to pitch in £2 squid a month mate,Its the best blog going and I really enjoy the banter with fellow bloggies.if possible it would be great if you cold manage to get a link to PayPal,it would make it so much easier. Thanks again for your great reports and not forgetting Ben and Rasmin.UTW.
On poxey maybe he’s been instrumental in bringing the deal to the table,but I think his tenur and days at the mol will be numbered when they see what he is.
I’ve had a few Karbach Brewery Hopadillos this afternoon, so I will leave my response to the Happy Greaselers until I are soberer, tomorrow.
I’m more than happy to contribute.
Been reading the blog since the start and visit most days, tho rarely comment.
It simply has to continue.
Kinda weird catching up with the blog this morning. Nice words about KJ. Nice words about Jezzer. Wow, even some nice words about Morgan, though not many.
As for me, I have lots of time for Kenny and feel sure that given the resources he would be very capable of taking us up a division and keeping us there. More than that, who knows. Whatever happens now, and it’s still all up in the air as far as I’m concerned, good luck for the future KJ and thanks for all you’ve done.
Moxey, of course, is just an employee of Steve Morgan and if he wasn’t doing things as his boss expected, he would be out the door. Simples. He’s there to balance the books and block the punches aimed at the owner. And he’s been pretty good at both over the last few years. That’s why we’ve find ourselves in the position of having many interested parties when the sale was announced and being able to hold out for the best deal amongst many. If it transpires.
Credit to KJ for sorting out the team when we seemed completely at sea and two brilliant seasons.
Credit to Moxey for extreme financial prudence (a quality all too rare in football these days) and having a skin that makes a Rhino’s seem like tissue paper in comparison.
Credit to Morgan for the Academy, absolutely, and bugger all else.
Now, onwards and upwards. And let’s hope that a) The mooted takeover actually happens, and b) Mr Li’s ambition for his new toy matches his wealth.
We’re setting off for home now so may not be online again until Friday. But if anything happens, I’ll expect to hear the whoops of joy emanating from Wolverhampton echoing across the vast open plains of Europe.
The sale of Kmac, missing out on another player Wigan bound all looks a bit deja vu all over again. At least Mr Li is getting a taste of how things work around here. The ray of light is i cant believe Lopetegui would be interested if he hadnt been promised some heavyweight backing. As for waving Kenny a misty eyed farewell its not a problem.
https://www.facebook.com/WWFC.NEWS.CHAT/posts/1710795329170666
Here we are then..
JM: “if I spread all me stuff about, I can make sure no bugger sits next to me”.
US: “But no bugger wants to sit next to you Jez, that’s why we’re all chipping in £2 a month to Thomas so he can hire a very special first class coach for your very important self going on your very important train journeys to London to order the new pies from Harrods food store”.
I been away for a while, lost a family member quite suddenly a couple of months ago puts things into perspective.
You tend to think people will be there forever.
The one thing that always been there is Wolves since I can remember and who ever takes over or not will still be there for generations to come hopefully at the top table no because. We belong there, nobody does no because we deserve to be there.
Happy to pay £2 support blog and all hard work put in by Thomas and company.
Always happy to donate to the best wolves forum out there. It’s always hard to go to games as im from Gibraltar so your work is very much appreciated. IM IN
http://m.burtonmail.co.uk/breakfast-championship-news-wolves-to-sign-liverpool-target-forest-reject-7m-for-striker/story-29506440-detail/story.html
I’m beginning to like this Jorge Mendes
Iv’e supported The Old Gold & Black since I was a kid, 55 years now and counting. Never in all my 55 years have I woken up and checked into whichever media source we used in the day and seen headlines,
“Liverpool look set to be beaten to Striker by Wolves” £21m feckin £21m for Dogs sake, it may be paper talk and in the absence of pen to paper on the takeover it may be absolute Bullshit, but it’s nice to read. It’s even better to know that very soon, very, very soon we are going to be seeing names tnrown about that will send us into raptures. Wolves have kept ST prices the same, announced yesterday, so that tells me they want to kerp the fans on board.
If this takeover happens as we believe it will, just from reading other blogs you can guage that ST’s are set to take a leap, when these big names start coming in we will be seeing a full Molineux again and without doubt (if he stays) I can see the Lord Lieutenant of Wolverhampton writing to Big Liz recommending Lord Moxey for his award. He will have catapulted WWFC to the forefront of World football, not just in the UK.
Reading the comments on the blog from people who could quite easliy read the blog for free but choose to donate to make it even better than it already is fills my heart with pride.
Wolves are moving up, the blog is moving up and us fans of both are destined for good things.
“It’s our time Boys and Girls”
Thank you Thomas, Ben & Raz, wallow in the plaudits lads, very well deserved.
Come on those of you bloggers who haven’t already done so, get your £2 a Month down as a DD and keep this family alive.
COYW
I saw that last night & it kept me awake for ages, it is pretty incredible stuff.
But it still seems fantasy until it happens, but just contemplating what could be in store is great.
Apparently the Spanish F.A. will decide on their new manager by tomorrow. So I am wondering what happens if they choose Robin Li’s man, Lopetegui, for the post. Does the deal stop ? Does Li / Mendes have a ‘Plan B’ ?Who might that be – Roberto Martinez? Laurent Blanc ?
Interesting times.
The Spanish FA need a plan b, coz I doubt they could match the salary Senor Lopetegui will be getting at The Mol under Robin Li.
On the greasel comments above.
I will never give that fat troll any praise.
What he has overseen in the past 15 years is nothing short of disgustingly disgraceful.
You will never convince me he had no say in appointing Clipbored, Solbacon or Saunters.
You will never convince me he had the best footballing interests of the club and fans at heart when Stearman, Sako, Afobe etc were sold, and all the useless wankers that have been signed, and the good players not signed, during his tenure.
He has shown nothing but utter contempt for the fans and has zero footballing knowledge nor experience, even after so many years with Stoke and us.
It is inexcusable that he has so little empathy with us, nor ever will.
He supposedly has a good accountant brain, but fuck all else.
No, if he goes, then good fucking riddance.
He has been a pox and a blight on our beloved club for far too long.
The only reason I would like to see a statue of him is when I come back in my next life as a pigeon and can shit on him all day and all night!!
FOjm and wb
Wolfman,
I read that Lopetegui had chosen Wolves over the uncertanty of The Spanish post on the advice of the Super Agent and had in theory put pen to paper should said deal happen. This Agent is mega, I should think his Plan A was never going to fail. If shit hit the fan, Roy Hodgson is always available, look at the dizzy heights he took the Shite to. A bit like Big Sam, who is now being touted as your next Commander in Chief, an almost manager, You English you never learn.
Sorry mate, couldn’t resist it.
I’m in Thomas but times is hard so had to do a bit of creative accounting – am stopping £2 out of Ben’s pocket money!
Notice that the Milan takeover has been delayed by a fortnight and that was by all accounts further progressed than the Wolves one. So it might be that an announcement is imminent but maybe not. I think there’s enough around to suggest this takeover is going to happen. Just that nervousness about whether it will be completed in time to make the 2016/17 season a massive step in the right direction, or one where we end up not doing anything in the transfer market, in which case we could be staring League One in the face again
Count me in, will sort when I’m back from holiday
two quid is even cheaper nowadays…more than happy to sign up and help keep Ben and Thomas at their keyboards
I’ll be amazed if this takeover fulfills everyone’s dreams but it would just be nice to move on and hope a new team can develop a Wolves side we are proud or even excited to watch…even if it takes a year or two to get there
Sorry Ben and Thomas, I meant to complete the mandate earlier. Now done, but would still prefer to do a £24 annual payment.