Two teams, 192 points between them and enough happy, golden memories to brighten the darkest of days.
But which players from our 1988/89 Barclays Division 3 exploits would edge out today’s promotion heroes in a third tier fantasy eleven?
When I said I was nostalgic for all-things Manders Paint and Ink, I wasn’t messing about, which is why I have deliberated over a combined Wolves XI from the happiest two seasons I can remember (bar Mick McCarthy’s 2008/09 vintage)!
So here goes…
Goalkeeper: Carl Ikeme
Sorry to my boyhood hero Mark Kendall, but Ikeme has to play. In 1988/9 we had a Welsh jester between the sticks who freely admitted to a Dracula-like aversion to crosses. In Ikeme, we have a near-impenetrable presence who would neither laugh or cry if you tweaked his big manly nipples with a brillo pad.
Season highlight: Bradford (a) hat-trick of tremendous late saves to deny Nakhi Wells in a defining away victory. Leyton Orient TV masterclass a close second.
Left back: Andy Thompson
Although Mark Venus was a regular left back in 1988/89, Thommo played all 46 games in a number of positions (six league goals), including an occasional midfield berth. Scott Golbourne runs him close and can count himself unlucky for a season of reassuring competence. Call it sentimental but for infectious enthusiasm, boundless energy levels and an unerring record from the penalty spot, Thommo has to play.
Season highlight: 30 yard shot which bounced on a strategically placed Billy Pilbeam divot (our wonderful old groundsman) and bounced over Mansfield keepers’ head in a 6-2 rout!
Centre back: Danny Batth
When you’ve got Floyd Streete, Ally Robertson and Gary Bellamy as competition, this choice is relatively easy (no offence). Factor in an endless number of clean sheets and a local-lad presence of symbolic proportions and it’s even easier. ‘Bruno’ would have pushed Batth closest, but the man from Brierley Hill makes it.
Season highlight: When you’ve kept 23 clean sheets, it sounds absurd to refer to one of his goals, but that opener against Peterborough at the South Bank end was a belter.
Centre back: Richard Stearman
What I am about to say isn’t for effect and forgive me if you don’t agree, but Richard Stearman is my player of the 2013/14 season. Not only is he the only genuinely mobile centre half we have, but he has cut out those errors that were always so bloody disastrous. It wasn’t that he ever made many; just that they always ended up in the back of our net! Danny without Dickie is like salt without vinegar. And let’s not forget a quite phenomenal beard growth on a par with a converted teacher at a Birmingham primary school.
Season highlight: A signature pirouette away at Walsall while 3-0 up on halfway line, taking two strikers out the game in one sultry shimmy. A giddy away following lapped it up!
Right back: Sam Ricketts (c)
One of the first names on this team-sheet. If we want a man to encompass the very ethos and fibre of both squads, this is he. In Ricketts, Jackett had an on-field lieutenant to subtly affirm his ethos. Something of an unsung hero, but a steadying influence that we missed when he wasn’t there. Plus, he was an absolute gentleman to my little boy when he was mascot in a pre-season friendly at Chesterfield.
Season highlight: Being an absolute gentleman to my little boy when he was mascot at Chesterfield! Seriously though, ‘that’ goal in ‘that’ game against Rotherham was his defining moment of the season.
Centre midfield: Kevin McDonald
Who else?! Barring ½ yard of pace, Kevin McDonald has all the attributes to be a fantastic Premier League footballer. He’s a colossus. Calm on the ball, careful in possession and the overall conductor of our tuneful orchestra. The toughest player of the lot to replace.
Season highlight: For me, it was the first time I saw him play 90mins, away at Port Vale in a 3-1 win. He looked like an under-16 player in an under-12 game and completely ran the show. He seems to have grown ever since.
Centre midfield: Keith Downing
Sorry to Jack Price, but Psycho is my holding midfielder alongside Big Mac. So fearless, combative and downright scary that the legend of Keith Downing lived until about 2002 when we finally bought a ball-winning midfielder on a par with him.
For all the inferior strikers we’ve had down the years that were ‘not fit to lace Bully’s boots,’ we’ve also had all manner of midfield men who were ‘no Keith Downing.’ Psycho was no-nonsense and would put the fear of God into opponents before they’d left the tunnel.
Season highlight: A poster in a matchday programme funnily enough, which captured Psycho in full flow – flying through the air like a mingled Bananaman and Chuckie. ‘Keith Downing is a Punk Rocker’ music cassette soon followed in ALOB.
Left midfield: Robbie Dennison
For those who never saw Robbie Dennison in his pomp, then think of a white John Barnes, with less pace. Ok, so I’m stretching it a bit, but whenever we gave the ball to Robbie, something happened.
He was so languid, chilled-out and comfortable on the ball that he should have worn a pair of slippers. James Henry misses out which is tough luck on today’s 10 goal version of the Northern Irishman, but for free-kicks alone, Robbie gets in.
Season highlight: Curling an absolute belter in the top-bin against Bolton at Burnden Park, which left a ‘Ding-Dong-Do’ home commentator literally speechless (as per Mark Kendall’s ‘View from the Back’ season review)
Right midfield: Michael Jacobs
I love this guy. I believe he is most effective in a ‘no 10’ role behind Dicko, but in this 4-4-2 formation he plays on the right. He is deceptively quick and has mounted countless attacks at the blink of an eye through his pace and vision. Without him, the remnants of last season’s stodgy, one-paced side might well have remained.
Phil Robinson, Mick Gooding and Nigel Vaughan run Jacobs the closest, but in the ‘X-Factor’ stakes, he offers more.
Season review: His two goals at Brentford in that season-defining win offers the most succinct summary of Michael Jacobs. His first, a rapid late run to break in behind a static defence; His second a 25 yard pearler in the top corner.
Forward: Steve Bull
I first fell in love with Steve Bull in 1988/89 and I’ve never stopped loving him since. Fifty goals, and barely one of them a tap-in. Bully carried that team of Turner’s to the title and as an eight year-old, what struck me about him was his pace. He was SO sharp and even more ruthless. He never seemed to miss the target in those heady days of old.
Season highlight: So, so many to choose from, but a 30 yard left-foot screamer at home to Bolton Wanderers on March 4 is probably the best Bully goal I’ve ever seen (North Bank end).
Forward: Andy Mutch
Twenty-one goals, all manner of assists and a telepathic understanding with Bully. Was never the quickest, but certainly one of the most intelligent players I’ve seen and had a knack of affecting the big games when it mattered most.
Season highlight: A run and cross to Bully to break deadlock in the promotion decider against Sheffield United was typical Mutchy, but I’ll plump for a double in a 2-1 win at home to Blackpool in the middle of an eight-game winning streak.
So there you have it folks. This my 89/14 Champions XI:
Six of the best players from the current squad and five from my nostalgic childhood memories. What’s your team?
Good selections Ben. I can’t make a decent argument to swap any of them. If I had to put up one substitute it would definitely be Scotty as I agree he is difficult to leave out. The most surprising inclusion is The Stears as this time last year I was hoping he would follow Mad Mick down the road permanently. Got to get the award for the most improved player of the year.
That’s a formidable team but Turner or Jackett to manage it???
Love our Hall Of Famer but Jackett for me.
I’m inclined to agree. I rate Spud as the better tactition. I have just started reading the book,” life, death and family” it is a great insight to Jackett the man and manager.
It just shows how difficult a task it is when there is no place for Sako, love him or hate him the guy would be missed. I love him by the way.
Jackett to manage them Scoop. Just! Turner the director of football!
You’re right Fatjack, Sako extremely unlucky to miss out. He should really be in,but nostalgia ain’t what it used to be!
Just seen new kit why the black sleeves are we in mourning, I thought we were supposed to be celebrating promotion as champions. For me the sixties well in fact it lasted til the early seventies is the kit for me wWW with the leaping wolf I hate this wolfs head the eyes are to big for the head an what’s the pentangle shape all about for me a gold shirt round neck with black collar and cuffs on sleeves no black smudges or stripes just plain gold and WW with single leaping wolf after all
Our official team Anne is Wolverhampton Wanderers not Wolves….!
I always felt stears had it in him. I think he was unfortunate to be playing alongside two of the slowest and least mobile defenders in league football for past couple of seasons in Berra and Johnson. If he made a mistake no one was quick enough to bale him out. Add to that the amount of time he spent being played at right back and it was always going to be difficult for him.
That said the real test comes in august when we start to test this defence against the best the championship has to offer.
And for my two penneth worth player of season should go to ikeme. He was outstanding all season and single handedly kept points ticking over in early stages when we were adapting to new system and new level.
That said best signing is Kenny jackett it didn’t strike me as inspiring at the time. But boy has he got them going and with a proper swagger! No dour 1-0 for us!
Agree about the badge on the shirt. I have been fed up with the Wolf head for a long long time. I would like the town crest back ‘out of darkness cometh light’, seems to fit the mood at the moment. Graham Turner manager for me purely because he saved us from oblivion in 1986 / 1987 when I recall we were in the bottom 6 of division 4 shortly after New Years Day 1987 having just lost 3-0 to the (no joke) Jackie Gallagher inspired Peterborough Utd at Molineux. Shortly after that we went on a winning streak that took us to the play offs where we lost out to Aldershot. So for saving Wolves as manager I give it to Mr Turner purely on the basis of what he had to operate with and the facilities available.
Wolf Head for me every time….
No words needed
Dicko up front with Bull and Sako ahead of Dennison any day….
Other than that I think you got it just about right
First of all, we cant change the logo, coz its tattooed on my shoulder, and I aint paying for another one!
Second, Ben, I disagree with that center forward bloke you picked for the team, Steve who?
What did he go on to achieve???
Getting all fuzzy feelings now, lads and lassies, coz I’m on the big silver bird tomorrow.
Hope that friggin tube strike is over when I get there, or you lot are going to have to have a whip round for my cab fare from Heathrow to ‘Ampton!!
Looking forward to meeting up with everyone at the weekend, and also looking forward to a bit of cool weather!!
Nice to see ya cumin bak um Clive make sure you wear that scarf you blagged a couple of years ago.
Mine’s a pint of real ale in the hogs head,safe journey um clive and family.
UTW.
Great team comparison Ben .. and I cant really fault you on your selection. As always though any analysis needs to be on a level playing field. Your Player versus Player selection is spot on .. HOWEVER I’m going for the 88/89 team overall as being better than the 13/14 one.
My reasons being that
a) The current team enjoy all the best training, physio and recovery facilities that exist now as opposed to the training on a gravel car park down at IMI in Fordhouses and a lopsided rundown stadium.
b) The 88/89 league promotion success was a back to back one, having topped the league in the previous season (and won the Sherpa Van Trophy !)
So all things considered and to the point … Given the tools with which to work
GRAHAM TURNER for me as the better manager on this occasion.
Cheers Twixfix, very nice of you! And as a brief aside, I always appreciate your kind comments about my blogs – makes them all worthwhile!
Now then, Thomas thinks I am being overly sentimental choosing Thommo and Robbie Dennison. I think he might be right!
A couple of good points there too. However, Turner did choose to train on a gravel car park due to superstition!! Admittedly, the conditions at Compton weren’t much better.
I used to shudder when I’d hear Radio WM say that a certain player had been ‘injured in training.’ I had visions of bloody knees and all sorts!
I’m pretty much in agreement with your choice, Ben.
I particularly second the choice of Stearman.
I have always thought he was horribly underrated.
I also think that, if we went through this exercise next season, Goldbourne would be picked at left back.
As for Ikeme and the brillo pad….
See you Saturday.
….The present Mrs DOOGooder said she would do the job with a Shammy leather and a bucket of warm soapy water.
OOOPS!
‘See you Saturday’ seems to have jumped up a paragraph.
At the moment it reads like the PMDG’er will turn up on Saturday with a bucket of soapy water and a shammy.
Well, if she does, we can all get our cars cleaned!
Really? Cool. I was gonna wash mine before turning up at the hotel!!
Talking about washing, I washed my T shirt yesterday and it doesn’t smell of vinegar anymore …… you will understand what I mean when you get yours Mark.
See you Saturday!!
UTW/FOWB
I shall look forward to it.
I might wrap some chips in it to get the full benefit.
Great article what can i do but agree to agree ! This is the better all round team but Bully was unstoppable then. Will just echo on Stearman as he is just about the only player to scramble free from the wreckage of the previous team. At the beginning of the season many fans had him down as the weak link. A potential scapegoat for the boo boys his achievement is all the greater. ( This is bit rushed as i supposed to be doing some work ! )
This comment kind of goes against the fact I’ve chosen Mutchie up front Colin, but…Imagine Bully and Dicko up front?! Tasty or what?!
Diving into the badge discussion. The current hexagonal Wolfhead logo is one of the most immediately recognisable logos in english football, if not THE most. Simply type the word ‘logo’ into Google Images and you’ll see our Wolfhead on page 1 or 2, alongside, even ahead of, massive global brands such as Apple, Intel, Sony Ericson etc. Now I’m not stating that this is in any way scientific or statistically sound as a measure, but the strength of our current club badge in an era of global television coverage should stand us in very good stead should Jackett lead us all the way back to the greed league. Cardiff Bluebirds/Dragons, Hull City/Tigers anyone? No thank you, I’ll stick.
Bloody hell, you’re right! Lo and behold, there’s the Wolves badge halfway down! Love that Diablo. Personally, my favourite is the wolf head in a crest, ala the main Bully pic on this blog. It had a diagonal stipe running through it with two scrolls. One at the top reading ‘Wolverhampton Wanderers’ the one at the bottom reading: Founded 1877
However, this is purely a nostalgic personal preference. I actually prefer the three wolves from the 1970s.
This hexagonal badge is definitely more commercial, but that seems to be the way of modern day football badges. Arsenal, MUFC and many more have subtly changed theirs, presumably to give the clubs full ownership.
Anyway, what about my blog?!
Great blog Ben 😉
I state my case again for the WW on its own or with the leaping wolf and again the names Wolves is a nickname Wolverhampton Wanderers is our official name. The town crest is also agreeable the wolfs head is recognisable simply because it’s been around for 30 odd years in one form or another and judging by those last 30 years its been associated with us nearly going out of of exciststance, relegations takeovers and 1 major trophy so just because it’s on the secound page doesn’t mean f..k all the last two season it beeen laughed at and ridiculed.
I must admit, today’s badge is way less authentic, and you can’t associate a sense of ‘heritage’ with it.
I’d still snog it to death if I scored a goal in it though!
I agree about Stearman but I would have to find room for Sako in my team.
I said a long time ago, and I have said it more than once, that I never rated Stearman. I have seen him over time make errors, schoolboy errors, horrendous errors, that have led to us conceiving a goal and in a few cases either drawing a game or losing a game that we were winning or drawing before his fateful error. I always felt that whenever he played that it was only going to be a matter of time before he made another disastrous error and had very little, if any, confidence in him.
That said, I am quite happy to now say I have seen this man grow in stature, developing into a confident, capable and professional defender who has proven to me that he is now a class act. I agree with his inclusion in your team list Ben and I must add that he must be considered as the most improved player this season. I have not been at matches this season where I have said to myself “Oh, no, Stearman’s playing – what problem is he going to cause us today”, so hopefully he can continue to play as well when we go up next season – on his current performance I believe he will.
Well done Stears you have proved me wrong.
Brilliant blog as usual Ben.
UTW/FOWB
Badge. Thought we had to give up on the town’s crest because of copyright issues, could be wrong though! Once, when playing in Middle East, was yellow carded with a wolf head on the back.
THE ref was a wolves fan! How could he book me for playing like Eddie Clamp!
Stearman. In the McCarthy era he played many times out of his best position and just look who he was playing alongside! Shows how a new system / team can improve a player’s performance.
Another thought provoking Blog from the boys. I wonder what’s going to be written after Saturday, on field as well as off ?
See you all May 3rd.
Working as I do in Chesterfield, I`m really chuffed that Chesterfield FC have won promotion from Division two, and may very well be champions if they win their last home game. Their manager is of course ex Wolves midfield playmaker Paul Cooke who I understand remains in contact with his ex team mates Bully etc.
Cookey was pure class with vision and a sublime left foot, he may be a bit late for inclusion in the above team, but on his day he was a joy to watch, maybe a super sub? It will surprise no-one that the style of football both PC and KJ have played this season is very similar. Both men and their teams are worthy champions.
Great reading Ben.
In light of the fact that we’ve been in the third tier for the last year whilst our fresh talented squad has been assembled together, it would be great to hear how many of our current champions would be in an all-time (within your memory / lifetime) BEST EVER Wolves XI.
On a side note – who likes the new shirt? Although there’s a lot more black than maybe there should be, I really DO like it.
UTW.
Shirt’s okay, but not as good as my Wolves Blogger T Shirt which I will be wearing on Saturday when we thrash Carlisle 5-1 (Clive is due to get it right so I’m jumping on board too!!)
UTW/FOWB
My best x1 in my 62 years of watching wolves,during this time I have only missed 11 home games would be Williams.Thomson .Parkin,Slater,Wright,Flowers,Hancocks, Broadbent ,Bull,Richards,Wagstaffe. In all my seasons of watching,the great teams of the 50s were the best teams due to winning Div 1 three times ,however this year has been really enjoyable with the quality of football outstanding. Lets hope we can keep Kevin Mcdonald if and when the Premier clubs come calling as I rate him as one of the best players we have had for many years. Ihope all the bloggers meeting up on sat have a great day ,best wishes to you all
Robbie Dennison’s highlight for be was his goal against Stoke, when he ran half the length of the pitch before slotting the ball away (was it top corner?) and then fell over backwards as he couldn’t believe what he’d actually done.
I also clearly remember ‘psycho’ getting knocked out cold when going for a header and getting stretchered off, forget who it was against. Anyone else remember that?
Speaking of unconsciousness, I also remember Bully scoring with a header and getting knocked out in the process.
But anyway, enough about yesterday’s heroes. Today is a day of celebration for the incumbent wearers of the shirt, so I suppose I’d best get down the Golden Palace and sing my heart out for the lads.
UTW!