My sister came up with these two letters which I wrote to her when she was in hospital in 19??
Aged 8, its easy to see my priorities were already clearly defined. Never mind the context of my sisters worrying illness; the Wolves had won – twice!
50 years on, the boyhood dreams live on. Nothing changes for us fans because supporting Wolves is written in our DNA. We can’t change it (wouldn’t want to) and will take it to our graves.
And what a roller-coaster ride its been! Too few highs, too many lows and too many tears but now as then the highs are so intoxicating. I’m sure my first, pre-pubescent, orgasm was when we won the Cup in 1960! And unlike some later adult experiences, I really could honestly say ‘I love you’ afterwards!
So its sad that increasingly I’ve felt reluctant to talk about the past. The world turns and people want to live in the present. But we are shaped by our past and I want all Wolves fans to be proud of the clubs heritage, to walk tall knowing that legends walk beside them.
Perhaps its a good time to take stock now that our Premiership survival has been ensured.
We should celebrate and commend Mick and the boys on a job well done but there’s nothing to be OTT about.
The little boy writing to his sister grew up in a golden Wolves era. Its no wonder my expectations are high and despite all the disappointments, they still are. Wolverhampton Wanderers is not just any old football club. We are Wolves! Nobody should feel grateful we are back in the top flight. On the contrary, the top flight was diminished by our absence!
Managers, players and Moxeys come and go. Some are worthy of their positions, some are not – ’twas ever so. They are merely temporary custodians of the legacy. We are the organic essence of the club and this blog is proof positive of its vitality.
Really nice post that Scooped. Thanks for the contribution and FYI, the 200th in the short history of Wolves Blog.
Like you so rightly point out, expectations amongst ‘long-serving’ supporters are much greater because they remember where we used to be.
To fans like me who are slightly wetter behind the ears, these are the golden years right now as, let’s face it, we’ve had very little to cheer about in the last 20 years. Hence why staying up feels like such an achievement.
Perhaps my favourite few lines from any blog:
We are Wolves! Nobody should feel grateful we are back in the top flight. On the contrary, the top flight was diminished by our absence!
Thanks for your comments Thomas.
The Wolves gene is a particularly potent one. My son inherited it (as has my 22 month old grandson) and I started taking him to the Golden Palace 23 years ago so I completely understand what a high we’re now on compared to a whole lifetimes experience for my sons generation.
And its right we should celebrate because we’ve come a long, long way since the 2 sided Molineux days.
Celebrate and be proud because not many clubs could have stepped back from that precipice as we’ve done.
But fond memories are not exclusively the property of the ‘black and white days’ as my kids used to call anytime before they were born.
Right up there with the Doog etc is a certain Steve Bull whose like I never saw before and doubt willl ever see again. My most mental celebration ever was when he scored that stoppage time winner against Barry Frys Blues.
I lost it in the Family Enclosure and when I came bak to earth found myself about 50 yards from my seat.
When I was in my last year at school (Highfields) a very young & enthusiastic Drama teacher decided we’d do West Side Story that year. There’s a line in it I’ll always remember. Officer Krupke was trying to sort out the warring gangs and started to say “When I was your age” to which Riff replied; “When you was my age….YOU WAS NEVER MY AGE”.
Both my kids would confirm its a line I never used on them nor would I use it here. Its the line that has made me cautious about discussing earlier Wolves eras.
Over the years I have rejoiced in the efforts of every Wolves player whose given everything for the cause and I still do. Karl Henry is no Mike Baily nor Jody Craddock Billy Wright but I love them just as much.
Think of it this way;- Do any of my sons generation watch Kevin Doyle with a jaundiced eye because they once worshipped Bully? Of course not.
Dont be fooled by what people may say. Getting older has little going for it and I think Oscar Wilde was right – “The trouble with youth is its wasted on the young”!
Things weren’t better in my day, they were different, Thats all. The constant is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. whose slumber is over. Now, if only we can get rid of Moxey!!!! 🙂
Fuckin’ A !!!
That is an American expression meaning perfect, which is what Scooped’s post is.
I have tried on many occasions, and have now finally given up, to explain to Americans the passion, the committment, the pride and the sense of belonging that us Wolves fans have in our club.
They cannot understand how we remain loyal through thick and thin, through many moves to all parts of the world.
When Americans move to different places they start to “support” the team of the town they move to, and are equally “passionate” about all three “sports”. Baseball, Basketball and Throwball.
The nearest comparison I can make is they remind me of Man U fans. Enough said.
By the way, Scooped, how is your sister?
FOWB
brought a tear to my eye old man! a fitting blog, in the context of our 1960 fa cup half time commemorations, which i felt was equally poignant on saturday. we are a great club, with great fans and a great future ahead. up the wolves!
Nice post Scooped.
I’m always a bit jealous of people who grew up during the ‘golden era’, I bet it was incredible watching Wolves in those days. It must be difficult to keep your patience with some of our players that you’ve had to watch over recent years when you’ve seen such quality in the past. Like Thomas these are the most successful years that I’ve experienced, you were fortunate to see some of the best times at Molineux but I suppose I’m fortunate in that Wolves have only ever improved during my days, apart from the Hoddle era!
Don’t ever stop talking about the good old days either. My dad’s always going on about past players and I never tire of hearing his tales. I just feel that current teams/players shouldn’t be compared to past players, we’ve had it better than we’ve got at the moment but we’ve also had it a lot worse.
I love the drawing by the way, I think fans illustrations of Wolves goals should be a regular feature.
my uncle is my reason for being a wolves fan, when my dad remarried in 1980 i was taken to my first match by him because i was staying with him as they had their honeymoon. As an aside we beat norwich 2-0 at the church of molineux, never looked back, despite living in Merseyside 😛
Thanks for that Scooped, as Tom said it’s a great read for those of us who’s experiences of supporting the Wolves doesn’t stretch back to the glory days, and wonderfully written too.
Perhaps Moxey could give up his column in the matchday programme or you…
I just missed the “Golden Era” but I was lucky enough to see Dougan, Knowles, Bailey, Waggy etc in full flight.Great days. There is no reason that these days cannot return, we are only limited by the dreams of owners and CEO’s
I just hope my dream is their dream….somehow, I doubt it
You dont fool me Dazza! Dont try giving the impression you’re younger than me!
We probably had a disco together in the North Bank. I was standing next to Houston Clive praying I’d survive another punch-up caused by his tactful and diplomatic manner!!
I was thinking if we reach the ‘dream’ of establishing ourselves in the Premier League, what’s next? Is winning the UEFA cup, League cup and FA cup all we can hope for? (All of which would be brilliant)