Sue and I were in Wolverhampton for the last home game of what, in all honesty, has been a horribly disappointing season.
I woke up on Saturday feeling pretty awful. TheWolves team might have been ‘On the beach’ since we became safe from relegation but I felt like I should be ‘In the bed’.
The game against Everton didn’t do much to make me feel better. Their equaliser in the 100th minute of time added on (well it seemed like it), took away what wind I might have had left in my sails.And the Everton fans spoiling our farewells to Ruben, Raul, João and whoever else is leaving this Summer just put the sickly icing on a particularly sour cake.
What I was desperately in need of was a night out with some good mates, a decent bit of nosh and an infusion of alcohol.
As luck (or Lord Twix, who very expertly did the organising), would have it, my wish was about to be granted.
Rocco’s in Darlington Street was the chosen meeting place and a pleasant stroll from APV soon saw myself and thePMDG’er encsonced in the welcoming bosoms of our fellow bloggers.
Over the years that we disparate band of Wolves supporters have been gathering together to celebrate the blog we have come to love, I have attempted to keep a brief record on video so the occasions and the characters that have made them so special, will be forever remembered.
This year, alongside the usual suspects, we welcomed for the first time Danny (Norsk Wolf), who travelled all the way from Norway just to be with us. Plus the now regular visit from across the pond from Marin Wolf and the lovely Linda.
Filming was quite difficult in the restaurant as, being a Saturday, it was pretty full and quite noisy. But I’ve done my best to capture some of the atmosphere of a slightly frustrating day and a highly enjoyable evening.
At one point during the proceedings, I proposed a toast to all bloggers who, for whatever reason, could not make it to the Ballbash… especially those we have lost since the last meeting. Two of our best loved contributors, Clive from Houston and Major Steve Biles – Brompton Wolf – who over the few years that Sue and I knew them became our firm friends.
Unfortunately, due to some technical hitch, most of my wise words were lost in the general hubbub (the Cameraman and Sound Recordist have been sacked and the Best Boy and Key Grip are on a warning), so in honour of those not present that evening, can you please, the next time you have a glass of the good stuff in your hand, raise it and drink to…
“Absent friends”
CAST OF CHARACTERS (In no particular order): Thomas, Ben, Lord and Lady Twix (Mike & Lilian), Norsk Wolf (Danny), London Wolves Loyal (Matt), West Parkian & family (Dougie, Barbara & Tricia), Marin Wolf’s pack (Brian, Linda, Andrew, Mike), Wolfstroker (Steve) & Jayney, theDOOGooder & thePMDG’er (Mark & Sue)…. and Rocco.
We’ll mate .. yet another masterclass of videoing folks without their guard up.. and why not ..
A brilliant piece of .. capturing the moment that that Bloggers Ballbash’s produce.
A massive massive thanks to all those that came along, Thomas and Ben and of course Marin Wolf from San Francisco and Danny from Norway.. not to mention the 200 milers in Wolfstroker, London Wolves, and yourself Doog.
Many Folks post many a comment on this blog yet can’t be arsed to support this .. it beggars belief…
Danny .. who none of us have ever met … will no doubt be lauding the occasion .. and we look forward to their company next year..
Last words , of course, go to toasting absent friends .. Clive and Brompton.. cheers to you two..
Cheers your Lordship.
It would certainly be refreshing to see more new faces at these gatherings.
There are certain vociferous bloggers who are season ticket holders and have never attended one. It always helps to put a face, and a proper voice, to a blogging handle.
I don’t know whether they think it’s a clique. If it is, it’s only because they don’t turn up.
Great reply Doog..
It’s (the coveted Bloggers Ballbash) an occasion where there’s an opportunity for bloggers to say hello .. get to know other mates from the blog and to get to put a face to the name.
Thanks go to you and Sue for the time, effort and skill that you put in to produce a quality video that endorses our mutual love of a blog that we both subscribe to … without actually parting with money….
The guys (Global) that commit to meeting up is very commendable.. and certainly appreciated.. and to Thomas and Ben .. our two creators..
The very least the bloggers should do is to support their unselfish work in putting this together..
Well done buddy ..
Thanks for that DG. Good to look back at an excellent evening spent with friends old and new.
And special thanks to M’Lord Twix both for his flawless organisation and for being such an all-round good egg.
Great to meet Norsk Wolf for the first time and renew acquaintances with Marin and his family who come so far to join us.
As ever, the conversation was lively and good natured and the grub was scrummy. My lady, Jayney, had a great time and is already looking forward to the next one.
We have good seasons and we have bad seasons, but the Ball bash remains steadfast in it’s excellence.
Good to see you two mate.
Perhaps Jayney might join us for a few more games next season.
Perhaps you may be correct!
Brilliant Doog. Sorry I missed it. If I’m not mistaken you sit a few rows in front of me in the Steve Bull. J7, yes?
I will make sure I say hello and join next year
KTF
Yep, we’re in Steve Bull J7 alright.
Next time give us a wave.
Indeed I will row U 183 4 rows behind you!
KTF
Sorry I didn’t make it. I’m not really one for restaurants/meals and stuff. I’d rather just be in the pub having a few beers…..followed by 2 pieces of chicken and chips on the way home talking to the trees and stuff. I have said many times on here if anyone is about around Wolvo on match day I’ll gladly join up for a few beers. I have met a few of you before and also had an exlusive interview with the immortal Clive From Houston (Penn) when I met up with him for a few beers at the Novotel 3 or 4 years ago. Any way. I’m sure you all had a good night and might catch up sonetime in the new season. Fixtures out 9am NEXT THURSDAY!!
It’s only one night a year Cheesey.
I’m not really one for having the ma in law around every Christmas but I do it.
Only joking mate, but it would be good to share a beer and a chat some time.
There is the end of season bloggers ball. How about a start of season pub meet up. Get the new season off to a flying start with a few beers ? I know by August we will all be desperate to get back to the Golden Temple.
Good plan Cheesey. Always up for a few post match jars to mull over all the ups and downs of Wolves fannery.
Fannery !!!
are you sure about that wolfie ?
I was very careful with the spelling, Spikey.
Good call Cheese
KTF
A very convivial evening at Rocco Italian, following a highly disappointing finish to Wolves’ last home match of the season. Combermere Arms afterwards was a good shout. All in all, a good gathering of friends.
Huge thanks to Lord Twix for organising this latest edition of the Bloggers’ Ballbash. Also, to Doog and Sue for putting together another excellent video.
Roll on the big fixtures reveal next Thursday. I reckon it is high time Wolves were at home on the last Sunday of the season. That would make next year’s Ballbash a little easier to organise as there would be no uncertainty over the timing of the match. Any takers?
Just got back from the boozer and put telly on. Fuckin hell Barry Manilow in concert. If anyone thinks our season was shit. Just watch this.
Hi Everyone
As ever coming a bit late to the party
Great film sir… worthy of an Oscar or Tony or whatever and captures the spirit and camaraderie of a splendid gathering
Thanks once again to Lord Twix and of course the man ..Rocco for a great event
Good day today… mostly
Guardian reports that JLo is staying another season… then out came the fixtures….aargh
Nasty start and finish so we had better have our patience ready
It it’s a good squad even tho we will be missing some of our greats of recent times
And MAY 11th or thereabouts it’s Crystal Palace and another BallBash !!
Hope we will be celebrating royally
UTW
Thanks for the kind words Marin .. we all had a great time and the Combemere nightcap just sealed the evening deal..
How eloquent your quote was in describing Roccos in Darlington St ..” the centre of civilisation”
Brilliant…
So happy to see you all again and it looks like the Crystal Palace at home game has already become a date in the diary… can’t wait ..
Statement from the Club today. Honest. No bullshit. Lets move on.
I was encouraged by Matt Hobbs statement CoD. Firstly, JL is staying and secondly the necessity to look for 8-15m range talent should prevent the ridiculous mendes deals that have contributed to us being in this difficult position despite us now being in the Pl for many seasons. If Brighton and Brentford have made it work we can too. The one intriguing part of the statement was “ that things have changed in the last 6 months and we’ve had to react accordingly “ or words to that effect. What exactly is it that has changed ? FFP rules have not, our financial shouldn’t have shifted significantly in 6 months as we haven’t been relegated etc, so what does this refer to- a change in the desire of Fosun to invest, Fosun’s overall financial position perhaps? It would be good to know. Anyway, I’m now more optimistic than I was a few weeks ago COYW
I also thought it was a refreshingly open statement from Hobbs and am very pleased for exactly the same reasons you are.
I’m guessing that the big change is that after spending big last summer to overhaul the squad, Fosun weren’t expecting to then have to spend another £75m in January to avoid relegation. In the three year rolling FFP cycle, we have basically taken a big chunk out of both this coming season (23-24) and the season after that (24-25) budget.
Agree with the comments about Ruben. As well as being superb on the field for us he’s always conducted himself as a model professional. In some ways the move to Saudi is strange but if the Barca deal isn’t going to happen for him then he may as well secure a terrific lifestyle for himself and his family for life and Wolves won’t get £47m for him elsewhere. Only Ruben can say if he sees it as a long-term move. My understanding of what’s changed is following the charges against Man C and Everton a number of PL clubs are getting nervous and making sure they’re not next to come under the FFP spotlight. Appreciate you can’t always believe the media but it’s reported a number of other clubs are already be on the radar.
Farewell Ruben my son
May Allah protect you
Thank you for some amazing goals.. and passes.
Very sad to see Ruben go. A truly great player for us but I think it is the right time for him and needs must for us. He owes us nothing and I wish him and his family all the very best for the future. He should always be welcomed back at the wolves.
Very pleased for Ruben and his family.
Am also very happy that the sharks at liVARpool / Barca will not get another Wolves player at a low market value and behave in an appalling way towards Wolves.
I could not agree more- a footballers career can be a short one and Ruben has truly graced the Molineux pitch in his time with us.
The funds raised will help unlock our summer recruitment plans.
Any chance he could take Podence, Semedo and Fabio with him? Now that would provide a war chest for investment.
Absolutely. Ruben will go down as a Wolves legend. He has always said Wolves will be forever in his heart. Good luck to him. Some day he will once again grace the Molineux turf.
Endorse above comments re Ruben Neves impending departure.
Some thoughts
1.Sad to see you go but good luck, you owe us nothing and imo you stand alongside the all time Wolves greats. Thank you for many wonderful memories
2.If indeed you are headed for Saudi , delighted you won’t be playing against us for the foreseeable future, but apart from the dosh what on earth is in it for you? Champions League – not at Al-Hilal.
3. Can’t see that this is the of Ruben’s transfer in the longer term, it has the the look of Mendes chicanery all over it. Ruben Neves has more ambition than to spend his best years plying his trade in the Arabian desert.
Let’s see how it pans out.
Yes and well done Wolves Jeff etc for signing him in the first place. Anything wrong with that ?
So Jeff signed Neves did he; nothing to do with Mendes’s Portuguese connections not to mention Nuno and the rest of the wise men still around the club at the time. Jeff Shi wouldn’t know a world class footballer if he was presented to him under the name of Cuitrone, Silva or Guedes amongst others.
Could this be a back door into Newcastle, same owners I’ve been led to believe.
I’ve heard the same Witley …
If that happens they may as well rip up all the rule books and regulations as it will have become a mockery of what football acquisitions once were…
There has to be more to this than meets the eye, it makes no sense given Neves comments re Champions League. Back door to Newcastle sounds about right, ‘unhappy’ at Xmas and loaned out for peanuts circumventing ffp? I’m not sure that would be any different than our relationship with grasshoppers though tbh albeit taking it to a new level.
Neves will be playing Champions League football next season.
Al-Hilal, although only finishing 3rd in the League, qualify for the Asian Champions League because of some rule changes to do with dates.
Other footballing unions, not just UEFA, have a Champions League!
Are you looking for a reason other than the £300k a week (tax free) he’ll be trousering?
Good luck to Ruben! I can’t wish him anything but the best.
But the whole things stinks.
The two are incomparable for quality and standard. He’s in his prime, it’s sad and a total waste of his talent imo. 47m will come in useful though so good luck to him.
Roberto Martinez: “In the case of Ruben Neves, it’s an incredible opportunity in many ways. It’s a new league. Since Cristiano went there, it has become a very different market. It’s something that will change a lot and quickly. This decision does not affect Ruben Neves at all.
“What will matter is whether he can keep fit, play a different role than he did in the Premier League, where he was the main player. It’s a new project. We’re excited for him. It will make him even more mature, but he has always been a mature player, since his time at FC Porto. It will be a new challenge.”
Doesn’t sound like he thinks it’s a backward step but I’m sure you know best given your footballing credentials.
Unsurprisingly Neves current international manager doesn’t slag him off for his decision, very insightful SP…… Got any more groundbreaking exclusives.
We won the Premier League Asia Trophy and people just don’t seem to mention it very often.
Ruben is getting Wolves out of a tight spot by going to a team that is willing to pay top pound.
It was part his fault that he didn’t leave last summer.
He may just be there for a season and then go to Barca if they change their coach to soneone who wants him more.
All speculation at this point in time.
Gutted Neves has gone best player I have ever seen in a wolves shirt. Part of me still hoped there was a way we could keep him and avoid the fffp regs. He is s once in a generation talent and impossible to replace. But wolves go on hopefully lop has some tactical wizardry that can replace the sheer will power and magic box of passes that Ruben had. But one things for sure I’m going to miss the ball landing to Neves just outside the area and the entire crowd stopping still for a few seconds waiting to see if he can pull off another screamer.
I suspect there is some chicanery going on and he’ll show up in a Newcastle shirt at some point in the near future. But £55 million for a player in his last 12 months in his contract can’t be sniffed at and the chunk of wages gone as well will help. Now we just need the rest of the league to get hit with ffp and we’ll stand a chance.
So long Ruben, there will always be a sweet spot at the mol just out side the 18 yard box that will be forever yours.
Anyone with their ear to the grindstone?
Any gossip of what is happening with Adama?
He’s waiting to see what offers come in before deciding. Saudi are interested in him apparently.
I have doubts that neves will kick a ball in saudi !
There’s already musings that Newcastle will be doing a loan deal ..
Imo .. truly disgusting…
When are they going to start putting us back together ?
Couple of signatures required ! and not ones for the future either
Quality replacements that justify the rise in season ticket prices please
All of you who are concerned that Newcastle might end up getting him on loan and make a mockery of FFP …. what exactly do you think has been happening for the last decade or so?
An interesting viewpoint on the Saudi spending spree over at tribalfootball.com :
“This feels different. This spending spree from Saudi Arabia. It feels genuine. Credible. Those in Europe can cite what we saw from China and all it’s aftermath. But there really is no comparison…
The momentum continues. As this column discussed just before Christmas. For the Middle East. For Asia. Football’s momentum isn’t slowing down. Instead, it’s gathering pace. The World Cup in Qatar. Al Nassr’s signing of Cristiano Ronaldo. Those events. As impactful as they were. They were just a precursor to what we’re now witnessing. And for many of us, enjoying…
This Saudi spending spree has the heavy hitters of Europe concerned. And in the Premier League they’re rattled. There’s no other word for it. The response has been one of panic. Hysteria. Calls, effectively, to impose restraint of trade laws on players. Demands for investigations into the selling clubs. As we say, it’s been hysterical.
The claims of Gary Neville, the former Manchester United captain, regarding Wolves’ sale of their captain Ruben Neves to Al Hilal are ridiculous. 47 million quid for a 26 year-old Premier League midfielder. A midfielder wanted by Barcelona. There’s no fee inflating here. Indeed, given the work of Todd Boehly at Chelsea these past 12 months, you could argue Al Hilal landed Neves on the cheap.
And what about Chelsea and these apparent cast-offs? N’Golo Kante has just signed for Al Ittihad on a Bosman. Hakim Ziyech is all set to join Ronaldo at Al Nassr. Kalidou Koulibaly has reached terms with Al Hilal. And Edou Mendy is to commit to Al-Ahli. Again, like Neves, it’s moronic to suggest any of these players are leaving for inflated fees.
A year ago, Koulibaly was trumpeted as the best centre-half in the world. Months earlier, just about everyone inside the English game were saying the same about goalkeeper Mendy. Ziyech was blocked by Chelsea from joining PSG on deadline day in January – as Erik ten Hag was by Manchester United’s board in August. These are worldbeaters. Premium players who cost a premium price. Just what are these pundits droning on about?
And we can level the same at Alexander Ceferin, the UEFA president. Just months after seeing Karim Benzema, now of Al Ittihad, handed the Ballon d’Or, Ceferin says: “I think Saudi Arabia is making a mistake. They should invest in academies, coaches and educate their players. Shopping will not improve your football. China made the same mistake.”
But as we say, this isn’t China. This feels different. There’s a genuine football culture in Saudi Arabia. The Pro League is built around clubs 70, 80 years old. Clubs driven by sportsmen. Football people. With ambitions to win trophies, not market shopping centres.
Saudi Arabia have a history in the World Cup. In the Asian Cup. After all, can anyone forget the genius of Herve Renard and his players upsetting the eventual world champions in December? Again this isn’t China, the Saudi system actually produces good footballers…
The money has always been there. As has the talent. From Rivelino to Denilson, the SPL has been able to attract big names. But Ronaldo is right when he says he “opened the box”. It took the Portuguese great to blaze this trail. To open the door for the likes of Benzema to buy into what is being built.
And that’s just it. What’s significant about all these deals is they’re three-, four-year contracts. The players are buying into it. They’re moving themselves. Their families. All their interests to Saudi Arabia. Or just as significantly, to Asia and Asian football.
As we’ve raised in past columns, this SPL spending spree will spread. It’ll spark a goldrush. A talent rush. There’ll be pressure on City Football Group to start diverting talent to the UAE. Ditto PSG and Qatar. And the idea that the biggest clubs of Japan and South Korea will just sit back… that’s simply not going to happen.
Again, Ceferin: “Players want to win the best competitions. And these are in Europe. Name a player who is top, of top age and who starts his career and has gone to play in Saudi Arabia. We don’t lose these players…”
Well, as in the case of Neves, Mendy and Koulibaly, Europe is losing them now. And in terms of the “best competitions”, how long before the Asian Champions League matches the UEFA version? This year’s Asian final drew a viewership of over 100 million. Eight years ago the Federation was boasting numbers of 30 million. Ceferin dare whisper it, but with such momentum, just what will be the next season’s figures with these influx of big names?
The Nevilles. The Ceferins. They didn’t see this coming. They were unprepared. The hysteria. The scorn. It all typifies an institution under threat. It can be argued the SPL are setting themselves up as the Premier League of Asia. But they’ll be no little cousins. And it won’t begin and end with picking off the likes of Bernardo Silva from Manchester City. This’ll run deeper. It’ll be Al Hilal beating Chelsea to the signing of Andrey Santos. Or Al Ittihad trumping Brighton to Moises Caicedo. Go and be coached by Nuno and his staff. Train daily alongside Kante and Benzema. Is it really so far-fetched to think a teenager from Ecuador would choose such a prospect over moving to Falmer stadium…?
The culture. The history. The planning that is in place. And all underpinned by almost 100 years of football development. This doesn’t just feel different. This is different. As it has since the New Year, football’s momentum is now with Asia. This Saudi spending spree is proof enough of that.”
Lifted from: https://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/chelsea-accused-wolves-blamed-why-this-saudi-spending-spree-should-panic-the-premier-league-4461336
Some of the Newcastle United sites are very nervous about rumours of a Neves loan; seems the extra scrutiny such a move would bring has them worried.
But, if the Tribal Football correspondent is correct, Al-Hilal will want Neves turning out from them, and loans might very well be happening the other way.
The Premier doesn’t need to worry as it’s happy to sell what’s left of its soul to the highest bidder no matter how morally and ethically bankrupt. The Saudi’s already have their foot in the door, they are vastly wealthier than any other club owner including Man City (x 30) and Chelsea (x 40) and even higher for the rest of the league. This completely does away with any pretence of a level playing field and ultimately will make it less entertaining for the rest of the also-rans as it will be even less competitive than it already is. The richest club of the last decade now utterly dominate it, what do you think Newcastle will do in a few years with their untold riches. Quite simply it’s boring and is gonna get worse. The Saudi league will never compete with The Premier, La Liga or Seria A quite simply because it’s in Saudi Arabia and the vast majority of players would not want to live there.
It is believed that at Wolves, Neves made around 60,000 pounds a week, BEFORE taxes.
It is alleged that in the Saudi PL, Neves will make 600,000 pounds a week TAX FREE!
Maybe I read bogus numbers but being honest, whatever the figures, it must be a hell of a temptation!
£300k per week in Saudi, I think he was on £80k over here. He would need to be on £600k per week over here to clear £300k. Wherever he went though his next move would have been lucrative, the move to Saudi stinks on so many levels especially career wise and ethically.
It’s seems only Wolves are worrying about FFP rules here’s a few that don’t.
Man City
Man Utd ( £ 700 Million in debt)
Chelsea
Everton (spent nearly £600 million last 4 years )
City have broken 100’s of FFP regulations according to Premier League……are there owners worried …..not a bit .
Does make you wonder are the FFP rules just a smoke screen because our owners are not willing to give J.L a chance.
We can expect £8 million to the £15 million pound recruits we sell our best midfielder he wants to go and why……because he knows the project in dead in the water.
We have our wonder kid saying he was damaged at Wolves Jeffs love child and he doesn’t want to come back.
Collins is going Kilman is next although he’s been poor this season……smacks of selling the family jewels .
Is this what it has come to after nearly seven years of Fosuns ownership. We are in a worse position now than when we arrived in the Premier League six seasons ago.
Where’s all the income from the record label and gaming ……. .
If we are in the bottom 3 at Christmas J.L will be gone……not sacked he will have walked shocking state we are in nothing done to the stadium no expansion temporary or permanent since Morgan was in charge.
Oh and the away strip is awful.
Is there any good news ..
Yeah – I have a chance to buy a season ticket in the Steve Bull stand — we I have done
AND its less cramped than visiting the Titanic and better wifi.
T00 early?
Not really Twix….I’m sorry but that’s how I see it .
And I predict another season of struggle as I said we have stagnated on and of the pitch recruitment has been awful led by Jeff and his mate George.
The Silica situation is a prime example doesn’t want to play for us and we are looking at £20 Million or more loss on him.
Shocking would you run Wolves like Jeff and Fosun have……or I should say ruin.
All the momentum of those first two seasons…..just thrown away.
Talking about struggles in football, and leaving Wolves for a brief moment, St.kitts-Nevis (population 45,000,) and ranked 142 by FIFA, have made the group stages of the Gold cup in CONCACAF!
Our group includes USA, ranked 15 in the World!
Now that is the definition of a struggle!!
Greetings Folks,
Reasons to be cheerful,
1. Neto & Silva combine to give Portugal U21’s a victory over Belgium. True I nearly choked, but that does, at last, show signs of promise.
2. Hwang is very happy we’re all off to South Korea for some footy. We’re really taking this Asia stuff to heart. Big up my Brothers in the East.
3. J-Lo is getting training together at Compton next week, which means he hasn’t abandoned ship.
4. We’ve got £47 mil to spend. Thanks Ruben, your Golden Boot service to the team is Legend.
5. Not forgetting our Legends in waiting, Kalajdzic & Chiquinho, who’s recovery continues.
6. It’s going to be interesting, if not Biblical. The Koran will have to be updated. No insult intended, to take account of these times.
Definitely not a Fatwah worthy comment. Insh’ Allah.
What would Jesus say about it all, sandel wearing, dreadlocked hippy beaded scrub? That, Meghan Markle, internet porn and ketamine?
Whether or not we’ve got the Minerals to cut it is far from a certainty, Peeps is going to have to turn up early and get some momentum going. You never know.
1 lv & COYW.
PS as my predictions 3-1 the Wolves every game, didn’t happen once last season, I’m putting a quid on that being the score every game next season with Paddy Power at, I’m guessing, 250,000 – 1. Wish me luck, as you’ll all benefit at next years Bash.
That was a very quick minus 2. What are you a Gremlin?
Followed up by an equally baffling plus 6. I must have triggered an alarm. 1 lv