When I think about Carl Ikeme in the years to come following the news about his retirement, I’ll be summoning the image of this penalty save in that ethereal League One campaign.
Forget your Sky Sports commericals and your 50 squillion pound transfers, this is football in it’s purest, most intoxicating form.
Hard to believe just five months prior to this video the club had been on it’s knees with it’s relationship to supporters worn down to the nub.
It’s testament to Ikeme and that group of players just how quickly they rebuilt the bridges and in doing so avoided the malaise of lower league stagnation.
We’re Wolverhampton, We’re On Our Way Back has embodied the Nuno revolution, but it would have perfectly encapsulated that solitary year in League One and this precise moment captured behind the goal at the Colchester Community Stadium.
This was it in a microcosm – the turning of the ship, the road to recovery, the way back.
So as Joao Moutinho poses with the shirt and the Premier League kick-off looms on the horizon it’s worth remembering we are where we are now because of what they did then.
Forget about Nuno, forget about Fosun, if we’d rotted away in the third tier, the club would not be where it is today.
For that we thank you Carl.
Even last season, his heroic battle off the pitch inspired and knitted this new look team to the very fabric of the club.
He was the united cause, the 12th man for Wolves and the 24th member of Nigeria’s World Cup squad, a gesture that shows the impact he had in just 10 international appearances for the Super Eagles.
It’s a shame that, as with Matt Murray, only grave misfortune has deprived a hugely talented Wolves goalkeeper of making his mark in the top flight, but we’ll remember Carl Ikeme’s career just as fondly.
With over 200 appearances for Wolves in an 18 year association, his contribution and presence at this club has been huge.
Best of luck for whatever is next Carl. The future is bright.
Post your messages to Carl in the comment section below and I’ll make sure they’re forwarded to him via the club.
Agreed, Thomas. Carl’s contribution – and that of the rest of the team Kenny Jacket put together that year – will never be forgotten.
Thank you Carl for all that you have done for Wolves since signing up at the age of 14. All the best to you in your future endeavours.
Villa fan here – you’ve always been the midlands cub I tolerate due to mutual hatred of the Tesco bags so I genuinely want to see you do well this season, but having been there with Stan can’t compliment Carl Ikeme enough. battler, warrior, legend ?
Should have said legend with an exclamation mark
Respect KPR – well said
Thank you Carl all the best in the world to you and your family.
See you at the Mol.
I can only repeat what I said in an earlier post. Carl will always be fondly remembered by all Wolves supporters.
Can only wish him well for the future.
Thanks Carl for all you did for us.
I’m glad his cancer went into full remission. It would be hard for him to come back to his previous level of physical prowess, let alone re-hone the goaltender specific skills necessary to play at a high level.
He looks like he lost 25 lbs of muscle and who knows what other affects all of the treatment had on his body.
Good luck Carl, I’m sure you will end up on your feet.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5991217/How-Wolves-Portuguese-players-Porto.html
Carl, a massive thank you for everything you have done for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
I wish you and your family love, health & happiness & hope to see you back home with Wolves (where you belong)in a new role.
You won your greatest battle big guy, now time to enjoy yourself.
All the best.
As I posted earlier Carl’s dignity and class marked him out as a special man. His strength of character will carry him forward wherever fortune takes him.
Thanks for everything Carl, very best wishes to you and your family.
As most of you know I am a long standing Wolves supporter but the PMDG’er is relatively new to the idea of Molineux being the shrine that we come to, to worship the football Gods and legends.
I guess it was a few years ago now that I first took her to a match. I can’t honestly remember the score or the result, but neither can she because she was too busy ogling Carl’s buns.
So Mr Ikeme.
It wasn’t just the performances that you have put in over the years… it wasn’t just you being one of the nicest blokes in football… it wasn’t just that you had everything else that goes to make a goalkeeper – bravery, skill and not a little insanity…
No, it was a pert part of your anatomy that set one girl off on the road to being a Wolves fan.
And for that, I will be forever in your debt.
All the best in the future mate and, whatever you do in years to come, there will be two people in wildest Wiltshire who will remember you with fondness.
But not necessarily for the same reasons.
Understandable and sad it may be, but Carl is doing the right thing by himself and more importantly his young family.
I’ve no doubts he would have cut it in The Premier League no doubt what so ever and Northern should he and I hope that goes some way towards making him feel better about missing out.
All the best Carl….!
There is a story on another site that Douglas reported late for Germany and Nuno and him got into a big “discussion” and that is why he is no longer in Wolves’ plans.
Anybody else hear that? Seems like the got a bid from Leeds pretty quickly if that is the case.
Tim, this page is for tributes to Carl not idle football gossip!
Take 9 minutes 49 seconds out of your life to listen to his wonderful human being. Makes me so proud to have been part of his amazing story.
Long may you walk this Earth Carl Ikeme.
https://mobile.twitter.com/carl_ikeme/status/1022801820291354624
Stu,
I just watched the article and agreed, he will be remembered by all from the start to this current stage (not the end of I sincerely hope) of his Wolves career.
A goalkeeper, a team player, a loyal servant, a man, a fan and as many have already said “a true Wolves legend”
Thank you WWFC for putting you arm around OUR Carl and Carl, thanks just for being you!
A much loved and admired human being.
He’s one of our own.
He’s one of our own.
Carl Ikeme, is one of our own.
Also suggest the below is well worth a look:
https://twitter.com/wolves/status/1022794291209531392?s=21
I’ll call it a modern tribute to a legend….
Lets see you up the Mol very soon Carl.. ATB and UTB
Not flying under the radar anymore.
http://www.marca.com/futbol/premier-league/2018/07/27/5b5a2c89e2704e7f9d8b4618.html
Thanks Carl for all you did for our great club. Your name became synonymous with strength, skill and loyalty and you will always be welcomed back with open arms by the worldwide Wolves family.
Enjoy a long and happy retirement.
What a Great Guy all the best for the future,Will be sadly missed just look upwards and forwards.
A massive thank you to Carl for is loyal service to the club!
He will always be considered one of the pack, no matter what the future holds for him after his playing career.
I always remember the cameo against Wigan towards the end of the 2012 season, never one to shirk a challenge he will be missed!
#OneCarlIkeme
Thanks for everything Carl – on the pitch and off – and best wishes to you and your family as you move forward. I can’t imagine how many people facing their own fight you’ve inspired over the last twelve months by your courage and attitude. So glad you can now think about the future and wish you many blessings whichever direction you take.
Carl – Thank you for all the hard work you have done for the Wolves, great career, now is the time to enjoy the future with your family, all the best from all of us – Wolves Ay We
I’ve just read on news now that Wolves have still given Carl the contract for this years premier league campaign. What a perfect gesture.
If that is the case, WWFC have just won the Champions League for me.
Really can’t believe where our club is now, compared to what we had just three years ago.
#forever wolves
Absolutely spot-on Rick Rack. What a terrific thing for the club to do.
Where’s that Phil?
Iv’e trawled the pages and didn’t spot that one buddy.
You at Derby today?
Stu, see below:
http://sportslens.com/celtic-rangers-liverpool-wolves/239658/
third article down…
and no I ain’t at the game today and really pist I can’t/couldn’t get to Stoke, Walsall and now the 1st game against the toffees – I know! “part time fan”
ATB and see ya soon
Carl is not just a goalkeeper he is what makes Wolves what it is today. It’s more than a football team it’s a family and when things are not going well the family comes together. Carl had an abundance of talent and it is more than sad that he, and us, has been robbed of seeing him go on to greater things.
Thank you Carl for all you have done, not only on the football pitch but also inspiring so many people in your battle off the pitch.
Enjoy your ‘retirement’ big man!
🙂
Mike
Carl has been a really excellent keeper and Wolves have been blessed over the years in that position. For both Matt and Carl to miss out on their dreams, yet stay positive through it all, is a lesson to us all. I really wish Carl all the best in his future life in the knowledge that his ability will live on through the memories of all the Wolves fans who have experienced his awesome ability. I look forward to his reception and the chants that will follow this season.
Straight from the horses mouth, the link below is well worth a read, mostly stuff we already know but, I like the sound of a 60,000 seater stadium. Now that’s forward planning.
(Anyone living outside the UK, or anyone with an illegal VPN, Derby are streaming the match f0r £5. I do believe you may be able to receive it in the UK too as it’s only a friendly and they’re in the Championship.)
https://oscillatingwildly.net/an-evening-with-jeff-shi-and-others/
Anyone
Mrs.CFH just read about Wolves giving Carl next year’s Prem salary.
As she put it, that’s not just football, that goes down as history being made.
Magnificent gesture to a magnificent man.
All the best in retirement, Carl.
I love big Chris Iwelumo for his time at the Wolves but my god he can talk for Scotland and has more rabbit than Sainsbury.
Listening to Derby versus Wolves my head has started to spin, it’s like having an argument with the missus.
All the best to Carl.
Carl Ikeme on his decision to retire “in the grand scheme of things with your life in danger it’s the minimum price I have to pay”. You are winning the greatest battle Carl. All the best to Wanderers number 1.
Carl, your flag was passed round the supporters at Pride Park and plenty of chants for you in support as usual. Total respect from every Wolves fan and everyone in the football family.
Whatever you choose to do for the rest of your working life I’m sure you will make a sucess of it, as you did as our ‘keeper and your fight against the big C. All the very best big man’
Barry has gone………I’m not to corfortable with it now it’s happened i know trust Nuno you say but really can not help thinking this is his first mistake….. I hope I’m wrong..
To be honest i thought thinks would work out and he would stay..
Cannot understand the Barry situation, was it a bust up about lateness for Germany ? The £3 – £5 mill quoted is ridiculous 14 assists and 5 goals, deserved a chance, so called possible defensive frailties but he had a big willy behind him. Also we have lots of players who will never make it into the squad whereas Barry would have at least been a good squad player. In Nuno we Trust – but not over this one.
Farewell Carl. You fought and won the biggest battle of your life… You will be a success in whatever you do in the future.
Farewell Barry Douglas, and thank you for last season. I don’t know if the disciplinary rumour is true or not. If it is, it may be the answer as to why other PL clubs have not bid for you, rather than any deficiency in your game.
I have invested in a new number plate for my camper van.
If you support a big club you’ve got to spread the word.
Wolves were the first BIG Club.
B 4 Wolves there was nothing.
Plate now worth more than van??
Very likely.
Cheeky Bugger! I’ll have you know that it’s a collector’s item.
Are you a prisoner fan by any chance Doog?
Love the ‘fried egg’ AA badge left mine on a car I sold years ago regretted it ever since.
Certainly am mate!
I did the van up a few years ago when we started going to Festival No6 at Portmeirion. It always gets a few smiles when we roll up at the site.
Lowves, we’ve got 1 of those AA badges here going spare if you want it! It came in a tin of spares when we got our Cooper!
I’d love it if it is going spare Border! I go to all the games home and away so if you can just let me know where it is convenient to meet that would be great!
No probs, will bring it next time I get to a match & arrange to meet in the NBB or similar. We won’t use it so it may as well go to a good home.
Cheers Border let me know when.
Afobe, Douglas, now more talk about Cavaleiro. Shame, disappointing to see them go.
Surely not Cav…………?
I can’t see it happening Paul.
A couple of the papers are reporting that Chris Smalling has agreed terms with Wolves.
https://amp.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-utd/transfer-talk/news/chris-smalling-on-verge-of-wolves-move_331947.html
I would be happy with that.
If he aint good enuff for Manure then he certainly aint good enuff for us!!
Absolutely agree with Clive
Just cos he’s played for United, it doesn’t maje him good emough for wolves
I don’t want him or Danny Rose , both have been very fortunate to have played for England and in my opinion, they never should have !
Further to Smalling am I right in recalling he lost his England place because he can’t bring the ball out defence. If so does he meet NES’s criteria?
Hark at us!
Imagine having this sort of conversation 12 months ago.
We’d have all been carted off to the funny farm.
(That’s sandwell by the way).
Introducing a new Wolves Blog feature.
TheDOOGooder’s Spot the Ball competition.
Prizes will probably NOT be awarded for answers correct, incorrect or just plain smutty.
Have you hidden it inside the phone box?
Curses! Foiled again!
Just received my new Wolves top and I don’t think it’s too bad a stab at Old Gold. Much better in the flesh than in the publicity pictures.
It’s under his arm.
Dohhhhh
Are you the new doctor who?
I think you’ll find the new Doctor Who is a girlie.
…Oh! I see what you’ve done there.
Red phone boxes red mark 2 Jags you get around mate.
Anyone here going to the Vilareal game? I’m being accompanied by my good lady if anyone fancies a meet up. Preferably in a bar. Naturally.
I’ll be in the Combemere from around 12.30. I’m the one in the Wolves shirt.
Sorry WS, I can’t do Saturday. See you at the Everton game?
‘Fraid not Exiled. I’m not coming up for that one. I’m sure we will meet up at a game soon though.
Hi WS,
Won’t be at that one will be at the Everton game see you are not coming to that one, catch up with you I am sure at one game.
Take care.