Who are we and what do we do?
Gold and black nostalgia hung heavily in the air at the Express & Star sports club one night in February, 1988.
Assembled in the confined space of the bar of the homely cricket pavilion in Danescourt Road, Tettenhall, were most of the legends who had made Wolverhampton Wanderers the best team in the land in the 1950s.
They were there to found the Wolves Former Players’ Association but one man was missing from those who had brought two FA Cup triumphs and three top-flight titles during the greatest period in the club’s history.
Jimmy Mullen, a winger of sublime skills, had died the previous October and it was his funeral that had brought an assembly of Molineux greats. As they shared memories of Newcastle-born England international, his old teammates at the funeral were adamant they must keep renewing old friendships, but not in such sad circumstances.
So the association was born.
The resolve of the newly-formed group was simple – to meet regularly whether just socially or for a round of golf. There was little difficulty, either, in electing the association’s founder officials.
President was Stanley Cullis, that football rarity – as great a manager as he was a player. And, by general consensus, he was some player
Chairman was Billy Wright, captain of the club during the glory years, captain of England 90 times and a permanent place in football history as the first man to appear in a hundred internationals.
Treasurer was Malcolm Finlayson, the Scot who rose splendidly to the great challenge of following Bert Williams as Wolves’ first-choice goalkeeper and a man who pursued a highly successful business career after his playing days were over.
Among the array of talent at that inaugural meeting was Dennis Wilshaw, another England international and, like Billy, claiming a place in football history – the only man to score four goals in an England-Scotland full international (at Wembley in 1955).
Dennis once told me had the greatest respect for the men from his playing days and that was why he took every opportunity he could to meet with them in later years.
Others among the host of football talent at Danescourt had also carved their names into the record books.
Cullis remains the youngest manager of a Wembley FA Cup-winning side, being only 32 when Wolves triumphed 3-1 over Leicester in 1949.
Reminiscing with Billy Wright, were fellow England half-backs Ron Flowers, Eddie Clamp, and Bill Slater. With Billy, the latter pair had formed England’s half-back line in four internationals in 1958, the first time one club had provided their country’s middle line in the days when teams lined up with two full-backs, three half-backs and five forwards.
With men like Tom Galley, Norman, Deeley, Bert Williams and Bobby Thomson present there was a total of 221 caps among the players. Not that it was just about the great names. During those highly successful seasons, there were also many who were willing to play reserve-team football and be there when injuries gave them a rare chance to step up. They also served the gold and black cause.
One could not help thinking what sort of money these players would be earning if playing in another era. Billy Wright recalled that his last pay packet in 1959 was £17 6s 6d (£17.31). Not that there was a trace of resentment among the old-timers – just gratitude that they were part of something very special in the history of Wolves.
When formed, the FPA membership was restricted to players who had played between 1930 and 1960, As the years have gone by the criterion has changed and all those who have been on Wolves books are welcome to join.
Similarly, there remains a great camaraderie among the likes of Andy Thompson, Steve Bull, Andy Mutch, Ally Robertson, Keith Downing, Mike Stowell and Robbie Dennison who dragged the club up from the depths of the Football League and gave pride back to the fans.
And the FPA has its own committee, chaired by John Richards and also including former players who span the eras in Steve Daley, Phil Parkes, Geoff Palmer, Thompson and Matt Murray alongside ‘non playing’ representatives Richard Green (administration manager), Paul Berry (communications) and Michelle Westwood (finance).
Nowadays as well as ensuring there is no shortage of get-togethers, the FPA co-ordinates the selection of inductees to the Wolves Hall of Fame, further proof that the legacy of that meeting at Danescourt is in good hands and the Wolves Former Players’ Association is in good health, determined to keep the gold flag flying high.
by Steve Gordos