On paper, he was here for three years. On the pitch, he was here for a mere 32 games. But in my mind, the memory of Leigh Griffiths will live forever.
Sure, the impudent Scotsman might have been a wee tinker at times off the pitch but I always thought he was exemplary on it – irrespective of a grossly unfair post MK Dons criticism.
And for two memorable reasons alone (not to mention 13 goals at a great rate) he will go down as a personal cult hero, joining an elite band of men including Mark Kendall (RIP), Keith Downing, Alex Rae and Big Chris Iwelumo.
Back to those two moments:
1. Whipping the South Bank up in injury time just seconds before he took the winning penalty against Crawley. It was cheeky, it was nerveless and in a Wolves shirt, it was a sight none of us manic depressive wrecks thought we’d see. Naturally, he scored.
2. Mimicking Lee Hughes’ infuriating goal celebration, before nutmegging him, before posting a #megs hashtag on twitter. I was proud to say I was there to see Griffiths rub our arch enemy’s nose in it and the vision will go down as the most instantaneously joyous, euphoric and ‘have some of that’ moment I can ever remember in 25 years.
I yearned for more moments like those and now Griffiths has departed, so too has a Wolves player with a personality to ever get close to repeating them.
Like Ronnie O’Sullivan on the green baize, Griffiths made for compulsive viewing on the green grass, with or without the Rocket’s trophy cabinet to boast. Sure, there might be more assiduous professionals out there, but none with the personality to genuinely make me smile – and make me want to come back for more.
Leigh Griffiths was a lovable one-off, with an infectious ability to play the game like all South Bankers dream of doing every Sunday morning…
…With a smile, a swagger, and a rough edge or two to drive a manager barmy.
In keeping with today’s insufferable tendency for open letters, I am going to write one to a man who wore the number 9 with distinction.
Dear Leigh
From the moment you arrived to the moment you left, you successfully achieved what hundreds of non-entities failed to do over twice the length of time. You made me smile.
You made me smile when you fell asleep in pre-season training, you made me smile when you eventually came back from Hibs, and you made me smile when sledging trolls on twitter with all the subtlety of Frankie Boyle.
You had a whopping personality to bely your 5ft 10in frame and on behalf of my adoring 5 year-old son whose shirt bears your name, you will be missed.
Thanks for the memories.
Ben
I don’t have any problem with Leigh and his goals gave us a platform to work from this season. Good luck to him.
His performance in the 4-0 over Gillingham had everything. He never reached those heights again with his overall play but as you say mate, there were some fantastic moments to reflect on.
I was surprised he penned a new contract back in August and suspected then that there would probably be a gentleman’s agreement that he could leave if a certain offer was made. The fairly modest fee suggests there was something we didn’t know.
He said himself he heard of Celtic’s interest back in December, so one would imagine Kenny probably knew too, hence his significantly reduced role in the side.
In an ideal world I would have kept him because I think he’d score goals in any division, but at the same time I’ve seen nothing to suggest that Dicko can’t be even better.
Onwards and upwards for all concerned.
Great blog Ben, I have to agree he is a breath of fresh air on the pitch, you knew that mischief was never too far away.
Thomas, the fee as you say seems way down on what you’d expect last year’s Scottish Player of the Season, aged 23, on a long contract and full of goals, would go for. Clearly in the small print.
Good luck to him, it’ll be interesting watching him play in the Champions League next year.
He scored a lot of goals and did an ok job for us. I don’t have any stats to back my claim, my impression however, is that his score rate should have been even higher when you takes the number of chances in account. In many matches he was invisible – as many a goalgetter through history. I won’t miss him. I will however continue to check his progress at Celtic and wish him good luck over there. Maybe he’ll return one day – if he’s good enough – when we play in premier league.
Well, I got no time for him.
There are plenty of players out there who would give their right arm to play for The Wolves, but will never get the chance.
There are players on our books who, it is obvious, are giving their all for the team.
Little shits like Griffiths who only want the “glory’ of playing for a so called big Scottish club can kiss my arse. He didn’t want to play before, he only played coz he was brought back, and scored some goals to keep him in the shop window until Celtic finally showed an interest.
Mercenary little glory hunter.
I know some of you are going to say most players are like that, but I believe in honoring a contract, giving everything to the club that pays your exorbitant wages, and loyalty to the team and fans who support you.
We have had plenty of faithful players down the years.
If the club then wants to move you on, then so be it. But until then, do what you are contracted to do, and give everything to help your team gain promotion.
Who knows, in two years he could have been playing in the Prem, against some good teams (and the shit) instead he goes for the very easy life of “playing” against Scottish opposition.
Now if ever there was an oxymoron, then that is it!!
Fuck him and the horse he rode in on.
and the shit.
reply to clive————– agreed
You make me chuckle mate. You are so correct in your analogy and it brings to mind a certain player who was nothing but loyal to our Club; a player who gave us everything; a player who fobbed off interest from big Premiership Clubs; a player who scored for fun; a player by the name of Stephen George Bull MBE – Now that is a player of the kind that you don’t see very often.
UTW/FOWB
Steady on Clive, sounds like you’re eulogising Stephen Ward there mate!
Ward only stayed coz no one else wanted him……..and he is McDickwadhead’s love child!!!
Wont miss him at all.
League one is his Level as is Scottish Prem..
Came back because he had too in July… Left cos he wanted to in Mid December.
And “BY The Way” the games he didn’t start for us have cost us dearly.. With no shooting boots Cassidy up front.. Another waste of space we need rid of..
I didnt see him play live as much as Ben but i have some sympathy with Clive. He apparently had nothing to say about Wolves when he left and just spent December ‘counting down the days ‘ to when he could join Celtic. Bye Leigh.
Leigh Griffin or any other player when they don’t want to play for the jersey it’s time to go! So good luck to him Nouha Dicko on the other hand wants to play for the jersey and will be a great buy scoring plenty of goals . Grab yourself 50/1 to be the Top Scorer with 17 games to play he has scored 2 already he is got to be worth a punt ! 13 goals to make up on
Britt Assombalonga Peterborough United 15 goals
Leon Clarke Coventry / Wolverhampton Wanderers 15 goals
Ryan Lowe Tranmere Rovers 15 goals
Go on my Son!
so frigging true
I’ve got mixed feelings on Leigh Griffiths. I too was there at the Vale to see his pisstake of Lea Hughes’ goal celebration. Quick witted and hugely funny .. snag being I was in the Vale end and couldn’t show my platitudes. However .. I’m really pissed off that he couldn’t fight for his shirt and seemingly couldn’t wait to join that mickey mouse league they call the Scottish Premier division. His aura on the pitch was unforgettable but in reality his skill set was shite. I’m over the moon with his replacement Dicko and as sure as shite he’ll prove to be a better bet than LG. The only loser here is Griffiths himself but if he wants the easy life then good riddance.
In reply to Twixfix
Lee Griffiths how lucky was he to join Celtic from English League 1 this is more a Minnie Mouse league lol
The problem was Wolves brought him and then loaned him back to Hibs your not good enough for us yet, well he was, if, I don’t know what you do for a living if you were offered a job nearer your family more mone y having been pissed about by your present employer what would you do………….. Yea hypercrit
I’m largely with you on this, Ben. And I struggle to understand some of the vitriol against a guy who;
Prior to the arrival of KJ, was given very little chance in a Wolves shirt.
Took the chance given to him by Hibs while the chosen Wolves players plummeted 2 divisions.
Having increased his value by weight of goals and national selection, GLADLY accepted KJ’s offer to return.
Promptly signed a new contract, when seeing out his existing one might have been more more advantageous to him.
Proceeded to score shed loads of goals and help to establish the base for our best season for yearss.
Gave his all for the team whether first choice or not as KJ tinkered with formation.
Gave the South Bank (and others) a new hero to sing about.
Understandably accepted a deal to join the Scottish champions, presumably on more money, where he could be close to his children. And in so doing made a very healthy profit for the Wolves.
Not too shabby in my opinion.
Probably not the sharpest knife in the drawer, probably not the nicest bloke in the team.
But i’ll always remember with fondness and as someone who, in his short time at the club, was a big success.
Thanks Martin! I am not saying Leigh was the best striker I have ever seen, and I’m certainly not saying I don’t trust in Kenny Jackett. I do – and I love our manager.
I just really, really enjoyed watching Griffiths play. And after the last 2 years of unmitigated misery, he made me look forward to Saturday afternoons again.
I’d liken him to a new flame who blew away the cobwebs of a wretched long-term relationship.
You know, there is that well worn old cliche about there ‘not being enough characters left in the game’ and he was one.
I also saw him at Tranmere Rovers on Jan 1 and he ran his legs into the ground. He would have known he was off at that time, but he still worked his nuts off and was desperate to score!
For all your reasons Martin, I’ll wish him all the very best!
When he came back and started playing for Wolves he was like a breath of fresh air. Here, I though, was our next legend, fast, hungry and a natural goalscorer. Sadly it was not to be. Seems he was just too homesick, and like jelle van damme he was unable to settle down here. Take nothing away from him and his 13 goals have been a massive contribution – 31 games 13 goals, not a bad record.
I wish him all the best and thank him for his contribution. Celtic is perfect for him, and who would not want to play in the champions league?
Easy to slag people off, sad that someone who gave us so much should be treated that way.
It was in our interest to let him go otherwise we wouldn’t of..presuming that we know what we are doing which currently we do..Whether it was KJ or the hidden mob then that’s it..we are rebuilding and no doubt we’ll rebuild again ..good luck to him in jockland..
After reading that title I was hoping for more mention of Beck’s great album from the 90’s.
Lord Only Knows, Leigh had the Devil’s Haircut. He also knew Where It’s At (‘It’ being the goal), but with The New Pollution of Sissyneck Celtic’s Readymade interest in him, the Jack-Ass headed north with his Diskobox. High 5’s all round. Now that our Ramshackle crew are Minus their top scorer, we have to trust Jackett’s new signings will leave the League 1 defences Derelict.
Dammit, missed Novacane.
I have to agree with you Ben.
I don’t understand the bad mouthing of Leigh Griffiths.
He was a cheeky chappy, a throwback to the seventies, who lit up the field with his personality – and goals!
Let’s look at his situation:
He’s a footballer who was deemed not good enough to play for us until we had slipped to Division III.
He was brought back against his wishes and put straight into the team where he had immediate success and is now the top scorer.
Lately, for whatever reason, he hasn’t been getting a regular start.
He has family north of the border and obviously misses them and is homesick.
He hears that Celtic is interested in signing him.
This will, at a stroke, move him back closer to his family.
It will also mean that he will be playing Champions League football.
It will also mean he will be earning a lot more money than he presently gets.
Wolves are willing to let him go.
What should he do?
It’s obvious really and I can’t think of anyone in the same position who wouldn’t do the same.
I am in total agreement that players should be loyal to the club that pays their wages. It always saddens me when a club has nurtured a player for years and then he is off when the first Premier League team comes knocking.
But Leigh Griffiths has only played for Wolves for half a season. Before that he was out on loan.
I don’t think that he has treated Wolves any worse than they have treated him.
Give the bloke a break!
Speaking of departed strikers, look what ‘Arry has said about Doyle
“Kevin Doyle’s won the fans over straight away today. Not only because of his goal but his work-rate was fantastic. He’s put a shift in,”
Cringe.
A couple of points.
The lad Hause looks like he could be a good addition to the squad.
I’m glad that Kuddly Ken is turning his thoughts to getting Jack Price a new contract. I didn’t realise he was out of contract at the end of the season.
He’s one that we must NOT let slip through our fingers.
Yes Hause looks a decent prospect, not just for the team but for he’s a headline writers dream!
Is he built like a brick a****n house as well by any chance?
I don’t care if other blogger’s slag Griffo off,but for me he wore the wolves shirt and as far as I’m concerned, he gave it all when he played and scored 13 goals,which is more than some of the dross we had to endure and without his goals where would we be now I ask, we wouldn’t be in second place.so farewell from me I wish him luck and hope he becomes a great player for celtic.
A good player and a great character. Im disappointed to see him leave but can understand his reasons. Family comes first and I can’t see anyone turning down the chance of European football for league 1.
Hopefully dicko can fill his boots but we’ve had many a false dawns with strikers!
Also probably a bit of smart manoeuvring by jackett if he realised that griffiths was leaving in December. Gave Cassidy and Doyle a chance to prove whether they could do the business. They fell short proving to the board that new strikers were needed.
Oh dear…
Surely we knew all about his family situation when we made him come back at the start of the season…
It was clear then that he wanted to stay North of the border..
We were letting him go back on a regular basis to see his family.. the condition was that while there he would do his daily Training with Hibs..
He didn’t do that and was left out of the team and cost us points.
Moxey stepped in and said sign a new contract for us which means we can command more money from you when we let you go back before the season ends…
Now please can we all move on.
Not sure how much of that is factual, Nige.
Did he go back on a regular basis? I only remember him getting special leave on one occasion. KJ has been very open with the fans and I didn’t see him say that Griffiths was dropped for that reason.
I think it was all about not fitting into the 4-5-1 formation and KJ made it pretty clear he wanted more pace up front.
It was never a case of a player desperate to get away and the club desperate to keep him. Both parties were happy at the outcome.
And Griffiths signed his contract like everyone does, voluntarily. And he did it straight away rather than it being a long drawn out affair. Good on him.
Martin
I agree it may not all be true but I don’t see any other reason for dropping him in favour of No shooting Boots Cassidy..
Those few games cost us and that is what counts. Above all else we should be playing our best 11 every game. That includes our top Goal scorer. weather or not he may be interested in a move.
We cant have it both ways.
Either he wasn’t played because his head was turned by Celtic, suggests He isn’t the fully committed soul on the pitch everyone seems to be saying.
or
He didn’t fit into the formation…
He would fit into any formation better than Cassidy.
or
He wasn’t fully Fit because he missed training to spend more time with his many Kids.
We will probably never know the truth.
Oh i agree with that Nige, none of us really know what’s going on inside a club.
Whatever it was I’m sure KJ had the best interests of the club at heart.
Anyway, if we carry on winning and go top of the league, we won’t give a shit will we.
I reckon Leigh will be a big hit up there but he doesn’t wear the Old Gold anymore so who cares anyway?
As you say, we move on.
I cannot get my head round the thought of greasel doing something good for the club.
Either his pockets got lined somehow, or, more likely, KJ worked this all out and presented it to the board as a fait accompli ( if spelling is wrong, blame my American computer)
I am beginning to have a sneaking admiration for Mr. Jackett, O’Hernia apart, he has culled all the deadwood from the past 2 seasons, and now has a team of his making, playing fabulous football.
It will be extremely disappointing if we don’t go up this year, but not the end of the world.
This team gelling together would rip the third division apart if we have to stay another year.
The biggest disappointment would be not playing the shit in league games, coz they are destined to go straight to the third division after the end of next season, and I will gloat and wave as they pass us by!!
And did our sponsors insist we sign the new youngster…Whathause??
Been on the Boddingtons again, with a couple of mimosas thrown in for variety!!
Fuck Off w b
Mimosas? Called Bucks Fizz round our way cocka.
Personally have more respect for Stearman, who has played for us in all three divisions and has formed a great partnership with Baath. He has had some ridicule in his time but has got on with the job and has become a reliable centre half. Not a star striker and hence so noticed but am sure he is Wolves through and through by now…
Yes I was surprised to read today that his contract expires this summer but we’re not in contract talks with him. I wonder if that is more him wanting to be a free agent? It’s not in our interest to let him go on a free transfer.
Hope he goes – I still believe him to be a liability. Ok, so he has had a good season so far, but two errors have lead to us not winning the game. I do not want him to remain. It is only ever a matter of time in every game that I am waiting for him to cock up – and he does!!!
Still liable to fuck up yes he’s been better in this league but to me that says it all about Stearman this is his level I still cringe when I think bad to his Premier League days he should of been on that programme splash the amount of times he used to dive in to a tackle I would mind but he missed every time he was shown up in the Premier, and the Championship.
Correction : “and hence NOT so noticed!”
I find it interesting that Clive is quite proud to write Fuck Off but cannot bring himself to finish of the name of that club across the border when just leaving their initials.
Is this because taking the time to write their name is a waste of precious time? Or I s their name is more offensive than Fuck Off?
I personally think its a bit of both… (could be other reasons too) and this should be the big debate, as the big debates in the express and star are either quite boring, repetitious or looking to provoke negative responses from Wolves fans.
w**t b**m and a****n are the most offensive words in the English language, and it is only right that they should be redacted as impressionable young folk could visit this blog and get the wrong idea.
Swearing is fine, if you don’t like it then stick to the Chelsea flower show. Football’s probably not the right game for you.
Actually, I have programmed my computer to switch off if the words a…… and b……….
are typed on the keyboard.
I am not proud to write fuck off. It is rude and offensive and I would never dare to be either, or controversial.
And, I totally agree, everyone of the old gold and black persuasion should have far better uses of their time than writing w…b…..a….
Having said that,
Fuck Off West Brom!!!!
…. and with regards to Leigh, my opinion is he was with us at the right time as the fans were disgruntled and split from the club. His goals have helped but the things such as the mimicking of Lee Hughes have helped bridge the gap between the fans and the club. I would not be surprised of his inclusion being a large help toward the high attendance level for division 3 games.
As thrashed out many times… He had his reasons, Wolves had theirs… He’s moved on… Thanks for the few memories to go with the goals and all the best to him.
Think Griffs goals have stood us in good stead this season. I wonder what the odds are on him being our top goalscorer come the season’s end. While he didn’t fit in with Jackett’s version of 4-5-1 I felt he would always be a handy guy to have on the bench.
Like others, I feel he was a little undervalued financially which is most unlike jezzer.
Nice blog Ben – he was a little tinker at times and he made me laugh too.
Loving the response Clive, I presume you unlocked the filters on your computer to get away with writing W B this time?
…and Sleachy… What can I say? I agree, W*** B*** & A***** are definitely the most offensive words. I have a slogan T-shirt with the C-word, of which I wear on a night out with the lads on occasion, but I could never wear a W***B***** A#%^* as I could not deal with the embarrassment or even the psychological inflictment on innocents.
Ben I agree hole heartily with your Blog I just wish the club could have sorted something out I think those two lone spells at Hibs done the damage in the sense that Lee got used to being just down the road to his kids.
I just carnt help think what if as you so rightly said its been a long long time since a Wolves player gelled so well and so quickly with the fans he understands what Wolves means to us and what a shit few years we’d been through .
The Lee Hughes celebration will live long in my memory and to do it in front of Hughes was the icing on the cake.
Simple for me really. Gutted LG has gone. No two ways about it – in his short PLAYING career he was an unequivocal success in both scoring goals and becoming a fans favourite. Ok it was only a handful of games but that’s all we have got to go with. Older Wolves fans still say that Knocker Knowles was destined for international success at the 1970 World Cup and beyond if only he did not give it all up for the god squad. Same goes for LG in a way. If it wasn’t for all the shit behind the scenes both LG’s doing but more so the combined fuck ups and conniving of McCarthy, Fat Fuck and Scouser, who knows a) we would not be in this god-forsaken mess (let’s face it despite the positives from this season we are in DIV 3!!!!) and b) we might have been talking about a cult-hero banging in goals for fun in the PREM. Who knows!!! Anyway that did not happen and for now we can only hypothesise on what might/should/could have been! Good luck LG – I for one am very sad he’s left The Wolves.
Still not buying into all this bon voyage crap. Called a soppy c*** for remembering doyler was one of the less deserving victims of Mad Micks car smash. Now i have got to cast fond eyes at Celtic and leighs dysfunctional family give me a break !