With 25 consecutive days of Sky Sports ‘breaking news’ bars failing to break any worthwhile Wolves news whatsoever, the time has come to stop watching it.
Whilst I marvel at the flawless aesthetic beauty of Charlotte Jackson, Natalie Sawyer, Hayles McQueen and company, they insist on breaking news that I couldn’t give a shit about.
Look into my eyes ladies. Don’t look at what I’m doing with my right hand, just look into my eyes and tell me something interesting for once.
Nope? Fair enough.
So with no news to excite me, I had a stroll down Waterloo Road to look at those diggers in the North Bank, just to see how things were shaping up.
And there it hit me. There is a topic that needs discussion after all. Call it an ode to the North Bank.
With the 1992 North Bank now reduced to rubble, what are your five favourite goals to be scored at that end from ‘92 until Sunday May 22 2011?
With the lion’s share of those 19 years being stuck in the forgettable, turgid middle ground of Ensleigh, this straightforward task actually took some thinking!
But thinking I have done and I’m here with my five favourite North Bank goals (from ‘92 to ‘11).
What are yours?
1. Bully v Blues (1996)
North Bank, South Bank, Nou Camp, Bantock Park, anywhere…
…This goal could have been scored on a muddy Sunday morning postage stamp, or an iconic global amphitheatre.
Raw enough and beautiful enough to grace either and the only goal I know to mature so beautifully that you could trade everything we have today for that one moment in time.
Osborn, lobbing a ball through to our hero as Michael Johnson treaded through treacle. Bully, defying 90 minutes of derby day intensity latched on as if the clock had struck three.
Those hands, suspended, as our hero raced through and slid the ball into the far corner of the North Bank net, cue a cacophony of noise that I’d never heard before, or since.
To argue that one solitary goal could airbrush a generation of underachievement sounds crazy.
But it wasn’t one solitary goal. It was much more than that.
2. Shaun Newton v Reading (2003)
Thinking of sheer noise to greet a goal, nothing comes close to that Bully effort, apart from possibly one.
When playing Reading at home in the play-off first leg, Shaun Newton smashed home a goal that did more than just propel us to Cardiff. It seemed to shift that stuffy air of melancholy around Molineux that we’d been clinging onto like some sort of security blanket for 20 years.
Paul Ince – inevitably involved – got hacked down in the box for the most blatant penalty in living memory, only for the ref to wave it away (with the game on a knife-edge at 1-1).
The cheating bastard! For a split second it all came back. The McAteer shinner for Bolton into the top corner of the very same net. We’re doomed again. Cursed! How can he do this to us?
…Then within a second the ball squirmed out to Newton on the angle and he smashed it into the top corner – while we were still on our feet screaming ourselves hoarse at the ref.
A crazy moment of exasperation followed by unbridled jubilation, eventually followed by numerous conversations down the pub afterwards, along the lines of:
“What if Newton hadn’t have scored that? We’d have been robbed. Screwed over. Again.”
Well he did score, we weren’t robbed and Newton proved that by grabbing fate by the scruff of the neck, the landscape can be different.
3. Stephen Hunt v Blackburn (2011)
For the riches at stake and the implications of this goal going in, it really should be number one on the list.
At the moment Hunt set himself to wrap his little left peg around the ball, I honestly thought it didn’t matter.
It could sail into the North Bank car park for all I cared. I thought we were down whatever happened, convincing myself that footballing gods were far more important than actual goings-on at Old Trafford and White Hart Lane.
Footballing gods punish a performance like the one we had put in, so I was spiralling down the plug hole, thinking we’d gone.
Thank God I wasn’t playing!
It was another slow motion moment and it wasn’t so much the goal itself that I was watching, more the reaction of the North Bank itself.
Yes the roar was huge, as they all knew the gravitas of it all, unlike the thicko here!
But the roar went on, and on, and on. A bit like a woman having an orgasm, apparently.
4. Bully v Bradford (1998)
‘He’s done it! He’s done it!’ screamed Dad to anyone who would listen.
Bully had indeed done it, scoring his 300th goal for the club at the North Bank end in one of those familiarly painful home games that all seemed to merge into one.
Bradford were playing in white on a Tuesday night if memory serves, and Bully was at the back post in the dying seconds, scuffing a horrible, half hit shot that dribbled into the corner. (wasn’t he a sub that night too? Might have been dreaming that bit)
Looking back on it, it couldn’t have been more inappropriate. Even the commemorative posters sold by the Express & Star afterwards captured Glenn Crowe in the shot. Or was it Dominic Foley?
It kind of summed up that forgettable era, which Bully would punctuate with magical, memorable moments like these.
5. George Ndah v A****n (2001)
This goal proved that the good guy can sometimes prevail after all.
After Matt Carbon maliciously assaulted George at the Hawthorns 18 months or so before – snapping his leg and triggering a woeful chain of injuries for the striker – Ndah got one back.
On a pouring mid-Sunday afternoon, George set the wheels in motion for an almighty thrashing of the Albion.
Running down a long ball (I think?) his searing pace put him in behind the onrushing keeper, leaving himself with an empty net on the angle of the box, 20 yards or so out.
He instinctively turned and agonisingly rolled the ball into an empty North Bank net.
And who was failing miserably to hack it off the line in a last ditch effort? Yep, you’ve guessed it, clogger Matt Carbon.
This was not so much a spontaneous Bully roar, but a slow burner, with decibels growing with every revolution of that unassuming little Mitre.
The goal was a bit like a parent watching their child ride their bike for the first time.
That ball’s journey began unconvincingly, barely gathering momentum, but eventually reaching its destination to the almighty relief – and crazed delight – of us all.
For a career curtailed by so much misfortune, didn’t George give us some memories?!
Henri Camara 2003 – Wolves 4 Leicester 3! Comeback of all comebacks!
I remember it well – add in that I was sat in those stupid seats in the corner (with no cover) and it has p*ssed down all of the first half. We sat there in the free plastic macks the club dished out feeling miserable as sin at half time – I even remember considering going home I was having such a cr@p time!
What a second half! and the rain went away!
in no particular order
1) Robbie Dennison v Stoke, sometime in the 90s.
Started on the right wing, skinned about 15 players, making Maradonna look like Stephen Ward in the process (do I get a prize for managing to get his name into a blog on great wolves goals?). When it hit the net he just stood with both arms aloft and fell over backwards, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just done. cue oooooooooh robbie robbie, robbie robbie robbie robbie dennison for about half an hour. I still sing it now after 5 pints….
2) David Kelly v Leicester, FA Cup, 94ish?
Kelly is in the center circle, ball comes to him and he spins his man before releasing Don Goodman down the right wing. Goodman’s first touch is to kick the ball about 30 yards infront of him into acres of space, he and Kelly then both gallop the length of the half, Goodman’s second touch sees the ball fly across the goal mouth, and Kelly throws himself at it, getting enough of a connection with his face/ear/top of head to beat the keeper before eating half the dirt in the penalty area as he slides to a jubilant halt.
3) Bully v notlob, play off semi final
Don’t really remember the goal so well, just the celebrations, which were mental. I really thought we were going up at that moment….
4) Guediora v Sunderland, last game season before last
With our place in the top flight assured following a fantastic finish to the season, kick started by the mauling of west ham in their own back yard, it’s party time at molineux before a ball has even been kicked. Sunderland loft a hopeful ball across our box, Zubar cuts it out with a monster header before finding Guediora, who slots home from at least 140 yards out. the party cranks up about 3 notches…..
That Dennison goal was amazing – he was about pension age at the time too!
For someone his age he could sure drop the shoulder!
2) was scored in front of the South Bank
just googled the vid and you’re right! funny – I really remember that being a the other end for some reason!
just thought of number 5!
Micheal Kightly V Notts Forest.
races onto a ball down the right wing, cuts inside and beats the first man edge of the area, shapes to shoot, dummies which beats the second man, gets half a yard of space before dispatching the ball goalwards (was it left footed too?) – the pick of a bunch of great goals on a great day! (although i seem to remember he scored one at the other end in the first half that was pretty decent too…)
What about Michael Branch vs Nottingham Forest 99/00 season!!
What a game – Akinibyi sent off for nutting their player… who also gets sent off! Pollet scores straight after. Bazeley scores a screamer. Naylor gets destroyed by their player, ref plays on, Beasent tries to throw it out so Naylor can get treatment… up steps Michael Branch… the crowd go berserk!
It’s times like these I loved growing up in Nottingham!
Ndah’s winner against Newcastle in the FA Cup in 2003. The goal itself wasn’t special – scored from all of a yard out – but it was a helluva game (Lescott and Naylor’s miraculous clearances off the line, Bellamy’s petulance at the end), and wasn’t it something of a turning point in what ended up being such a memorable season?
I have memories of being sat in the car on the way to that game and hearing them saying on the radio that Dave Jones was pretty close to getting the boot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLjkB7I0Thc
Every single glorious Bully goal – simples! There’s nothing like a Bully goal!
Deffo Bully -v- blues. I was sat in the Family Enclosure with my Disabled nephew on that day. We were walking out of the ground so had walked infront of my beloved North Bank and were stood in the bottom corner down by the Blues fans in the John Ireland. When Bully scored, it was fair to say I went a bit Crazy. Certainly too Crazy for the onlooking Bluenoses and apparently a bit too enthusiastically for the Local constabulary who dragged me out by my Collar and deposited me outside. Hey Ho…..was worth it 🙂
did your nephew get out alright then?
Yeah….he thought it was highly funny 🙂
Kevin Cooper Vs Norwich in the Play offs
we Battered them in the game and when Coopers Rocket went in i was CONVINCED that we would go onto win by 3 or 4 goals, the rest of the game is a blur apart from a few tears walking out and never being able to listen to Handbags and Gladrags by stereophonics ever again!
As Clive mentioned yesterday – these blogs never seem to follow the subject so in true leftfield style…
Does anyone know what has happened to Zele Ismail??? My interest in Wolves never really goes further than the first team – but I heard this lad was supposed to be something special? Is he still with the club? Did he play last season? Have his skills been trained out of him by our coaches or what?
Zele is still at the club. He definitely hasn’t had any of his natural talent coached out of him. On the contrary he is shaping up into a real star for the future …………… which I am sure is not too far away.
How do I know? …………. I was privileged to coach him on occasions down at the Academy………….. He’s still there ………….. I’m not, but I know that he’s in good hands.
Tom (lifelong Wolves fan from the 60’s and ST holder in all forms of the North Bank – past; present and future)
Thanks Tom – that’s really interesting. Zele must be about 17-18 now (am I right?) so surely a place on our bench can’t be too far away if he is as good as the hype suggests? Has he even had a run out with the reserves yet?
He hasn’t turned out for the first team in a major game yet. He did get a run out against Walsall last pre season, and he may have been ‘blooded’ on the bench in League Cup squads. There may be others but I am not that sure.
Yes! he’s going to be around the 18 mark. We all know if you are good enough then you can play at any age, but when every game counts there is little chance for experimenting I suppose. I hope he gets his chance soon though.
Quite a few have been in for him, (if I said United and Chelsea amongst others it will give you some idea) so he has caught the eye that’s for sure.
The Development Squad, which brings a lot of these lads on, gives them a chance to learn their trade alongside the seasoned pros.
You really should take a look at them you will be amazed at how many riches we have.
There are games all through the season, usually mid week evenings. Keep an eye out on the club web site.
I have an 8 month old of my own to develop at the moment so I barely have time to follow the first team!!!! Unfortunately I dont think I would get a pass from the EPO (Enjoyment Provention Officer) for a mid week evening game!!!!
Thanks for the info though – I will keep my fingers crossed that our beloved manager gives him a chance this season. Exciting that some of the big boys have been sniffing round.
EPO? love it! mines called the Fun Police but yours is much better, can i nick it?
I’d love to claim it as my own – but it’s one I stole too! It’s great though eh?
milijas’ sweeeet screamer against bolton in 2009 surely?
Agree with that mate, he was in my 5, but I had to take it out for George!
Neil Emblen’s equaliser against a Nathan Blake inspired Sheffield United. We were 2-0 down with a minute or so to go, thousands of fans had left, including my dad. A John de Wolf penalty and a towering Emblen header later I was going absolutely mental. The Family Enclosure had rarely seen such scenes.
Here’s the link if you are interested – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hQlQDPutgk
amazing commentary!
“well the sheffield united fans are all still here, and they’re all absolutely silent!”
Wasn’t bully’s last goal at the North Bank??
Yes mate. I’ve got a framed picture of it, signed by the legend himself. Bury at home, 1-0 win, diving header! Oh heck, I’m about to cry!
Should be on your list then chap!!
It was a near miss mate, along with Bully’s at home to Southend when we won 5-0. They crossed my mind! As did Mark Walters who also scored a nice one that game (that Thomas reminded me of.)
Then there was Milijas’ goal v Bolton. That actually got into the top 5 but I was writing this at 11.30pm last night and was tired. I woke up and was mortified that it could get in ahead of George’s, so took it out.
I do love a long range beauty and Milijas’ was just that.
One special moment springs too mind, and while Bully`s goal against the Blues is very special, I recall an exceptional goal from a different era by another Wolves hero – big Derek Dougan.
I still dream about this third goal on his debut, and please forgive me if I get some of this wrong – it was a long time ago. The Doog heads a cross from the far post back across goal, runs across the box to where the ball is landing and does an overhead back to where he headed the original cross. Leaving the defenders for dead he then volleys the dropping ball into the roof of the net. Absolute delerium broke out, a new god had arrived, my boyhood hero The Doog announces his coming at the Molineux with a hatrick, and oh boy that 3rd goal. Sorry if its one for the old farts though, I know Clive from Houston and Scooped were there to enjoy it. If someone knows a link to utube watch this goal please post it, I`d love to see the goal again.
Don’t think they had Camera’s that long ago 😮
You will get your little bottie smacked for that one, Putney!!!
Yes, I was in the North Bank that Doog debut day, against Hull, and his third goal was brill, the ball dropping just behind him, a flick of the heel, over his head, and volley into the net.
As Mark sez, a new god was born that day.
My other North Bank memory which I shall relate before Scooped gets his chance, was right after one half time piss break.
In those days there were only two traps, doorless, so woe betide you if you wanted a crap, and two long lines always formed.
After we got back from the piss break to our respective places, Scooped said to me ” I just had a brilliant laff, the bloke in the next trap had waited so long, by the time he got there, he couldn’t piss”
I know, said I, ….it was me!!!!
Scooped never has any hesitation telling this tale, especially when I am trying to impress someone!!
Thank you John!!!!!
What about Peter Knowles curling, twisting shot against Everton, where Gordon West could only watch??
FOMM
what about the king volleying Daniel’s long ball round Hansen before racing into the liverpool half and sliding the ball under the advancing Clemence? I know it was in front of the old north bank but what a goal.
My most magical experience at Molineux was as a teenager in the late 60’s.
I remember one match standing in the North Bank, watching a corner, taken perfectly, I think by Wagstaffe.
As the ball came over Dougan, almost in slow motion, bent down and headed the ball like a bullet, into the back of the net.
The best thing was that, simultaneously, to it crossing the line, Dougan’s ‘bend’ had taken him onto his knees, arms aloft for adulation.
The whole North Bank responded to this theatre, pointed their fingers, and chanting, ‘Doog, Doog, Doog!’, in a low, hypnotic hum of admiration.
Fantastic moment, timeless and for me, the best goal I’ve ever witnessed at a football match.
Kenny Miller v Man Utd, Colin Cameron v Man City, Jay Bothroyd v Albion, SEB v QPR just to name a few
Cameron – South bank
Cameron definitely north bank. A header.
That was a tortuous game, couldn’t believe how tough it was just to score a goal at that time – it obviously sent my memory into a prolapse
Honorary mention to the Man City own goal in front of the North bank, when a defender kicked the ball into his own post, it ricocheted back into his face and went in the goal. We won 4-1 and at one point in the match a Citeh fan ran on the pitch and threw his season ticket at the feet of the club captain before being dragged off by security.
How times have changed….
Bothroyd against the Albion, slowest of all slow motion moments.
Nathan Blake’s goal against Preston sticks in the memory too. Horrible, wet midweek game, and their keeper kicked it out of his hands, off Blake’s arse and into the net!
I remember standing in “The Cowshed” when we beat Fulham 9-0, many many years ago.
Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any helpful hints for newbie blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.