Wolves Former Players’ Association enjoyed another hugely successful Annual Golf Day at Oxley Park, raising thousands of pounds which will be distributed to local charities.
Twelve former Wolves players were joined by four from rivals West Bromwich Albion for the 12th FPA Annual Golf Day, featuring a round of golf followed by evening meal including raffle, auction and entertainment from comedian Sean Percival.
Wolves FPA Vice-Chairman Steve Daley led on the organisation for the event, supported by the FPA committee, including chairman John Richards, Geoff Palmer – also President of Oxley Park – Phil Parkes and FPA Administration Manager Richard Green.
“The event takes a lot of organising over several months but when we get to the day, the support that we receive makes all the hard work worthwhile,” says Daley.
“We never have to promote the day because the same teams come back year after year, 19 this time, and we always have so much support from supermarkets and other organisations donating food and drink to help keep our costs down which means more of the funds raised can go to the local charities.
“Add to that some fantastic raffle and auction prizes, including many fourballs donated by top courses, and there are so many different people who play a part in the success of the event.
“Everyone at Oxley Park looks after us so well, and, once again this year, so did the weather – it was another beautiful day with the course was in fantastic condition.
“And at the end of it all, it is thanks to all this support that we are able to make substantial donations to the different local charities, improving the lives of people less fortunate than ourselves which is so important to us at Wolves Former Players’ Association.”
Whilst the total figure is yet to be completely finalised, it is expected that over £6,000 has been raised, to be passed on to local charities.
In recent years the causes that have benefitted have included Compton Care, the Good Shepherd, the Haven and the Crafty Gardener.
“Our Annual Golf Day remains such a long-standing and important part of Wolves Former Players’ Association, and is always a fantastic event packed with fun and camaraderie,” added Richards, who is also a Vice-President of Wolves.
“As former players, we always enjoy catching up and finding out how we are all doing, but it’s also great to be able to chat to fans and recall some of the memories of the experiences we shared at Wolves.
“And perhaps what’s most important of all, thanks to all the different support that we receive, we are able to raise a good amount of money which can then be passed on to some excellent local charities who can use it to positive effect at the heart of our communities.”
The full list of former players present comprised Richards, Daley, Palmer, Parkes, Terry Wharton, Kenny Hibbitt, Willie Carr, Colin Brazier, Mel Eves, Phil Nicholls, Norman Bell and Don Goodman. A fourball of former opponents from local rivals West Bromwich Albion of Mark Grew, Micky Fudge, Nicky Cross and Joe Mayo were also welcomed.
- As well as Oxley Park, the FPA would like to thank the following for their support: The Co-op at Codsall, Alan Bennett Butchers, Morrisons in Pendeford and the Nice and Fresh Fruit shop in Tettenhall for donations of food, and all who donated prizes, including Wolves, Manchester City, Steve Saul, Kevin Haynes, Don Arnott, Steve Maiden and many golf courses who provided fourballs which were distributed via a prize draw.
THANKS ALSO TO DAVE BAGNALL FOR ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHY
