Former Wolves frontman and League Cup winner Mel Eves has joined the committee of Wolves’ Former Players Association, ready to play his part in the organisation’s expanding work across the local community.
Eves, who made 214 appearances for Wolves and scored 53 goals, was born in Darlaston and has spent the vast majority of his life in the local area, most recently becoming involved in many different local initiatives.
He works as a Community Peer Mentor Co-ordinator with Ingeus UK, supporting the rehabilitation of ex-offenders, alongside other voluntary duties including running the Wolves Allstars team for former players, and being Chair of the committee for the annual Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the Year awards.
“I was delighted to get the call from John Richards to be invited to join the committee of the Wolves Former Players Association,” he says.
“It is nice to think that it is felt that I might have something to offer and can help, and I will be really pleased to put my hand to anything and add to all the good work that is being done.
“As a lot of people know, I have been a Wolves fan all my life, and went from watching the team win the 1974 League Cup final against Manchester City, to actually being part of the team which beat Nottingham Forest at Wembley six years later.
“I ended up being fortunate to play alongside the heroes I had watched from the terraces, and even more fortunate that I was able to enjoy a 14-year career in professional football.
“To now volunteer alongside John and the other lads on the committee to continue to support people in the community will be a great honour and something I am very much looking forward to.”
Wolves FPA has grown substantially in recent years, with events such as the annual Golf Day and other dinners, including Hall of Fame, now just a part of their overall activities, which have also seen them hold regular social lunches for ex-players as well as moving closer to the club.
“We are really pleased to be able to have an impact and grow our influence at both local and national level, both in supporting he local community, something we all believe in, and also providing backing to our former players as and when that’s required,” says FPA Chairman John Richards.
“We are effectively a team of volunteers, and growing that influence brings a greater workload, so we have been looking to add to our committee to meet the increasing demand.
“Obviously Mel is someone we know very well, a former team-mate who has always been a keen and regular supporter of the FPA, as well as delivering his own work across the local community.
“His experience and expertise will undoubtedly add to our capabilities as we continue to progress moving forward, and we are delighted to be bringing him on board.”
