Wolves FPA today paid tribute to the club’s long-serving member of staff and historian Graham Hughes, who has passed away at the age of 87.
Graham, a lifelong Wolves fan, spent the last four decades working for the club carrying out a variety of different tasks, and was a hugely popular character with players, staff and supporters alike.
In 2003, the temporary stand which was installed following Wolves’ promotion to the Premier League was named the ‘Graham Hughes Stand’, returning again for the more recent stint in the top flight, while Graham also featured on the front of the matchday programme to mark his loyal service, for the fixture with Sheffield Wednesday in 2012.
“Graham was such a devoted Wolves fan and employee, and one of those characters which every football club needs,” said Wolves FPA Vice-Chairman John Richards.
“He was ‘Mr Molineux’, and was loved by everybody.
“This is a very sad day, and the end of an era, but also a day to remember his incredible contribution to the club, and think about the large number of people who have a greater love and knowledge of Wolves today thanks to Graham Hughes.
“He was always such a loyal supporter not just of the club, but also the players, and those relationships he formed continued long after players had departed Molineux.
“You only had to come to an FPA event, and see the queues of former players wanting to go up and speak to Graham, to know just how fondly he was thought of by us all.
“On behalf of everyone connected with the FPA, I would like to pass on our sincere condolences and very best wishes to all of Graham’s family.”
Richard Green, Administration Manager at the FPA, also got to know Graham over many years, particularly when he visited the offices of the Express and Star.
“Graham was always a very popular visitor to the Express & Star offices in Queen Street, and quickly made friends with the newspaper’s staff and would love to chat about all things Wolves,” says Richard.
“His knowledge of the club and its history was second to none, and the way he built up his collection of memorabilia and the display in Molineux Reception was testament to both his love and his loyalty.
“When you consider that the first sight any guests or visiting directors would see on entering Molineux was that display in reception, it created such a fantastic impression of Wolves, and that was largely down to Graham.
“He was a passionate supporter of Wolves Former Player Association, and we loved welcoming him to our annual dinner which was an event he always thoroughly enjoyed.
“Graham will be sadly missed, but always remembered with so much happiness and affection by all of us connected with the FPA – may he rest in peace.”
Graham passed away peacefully at Compton Care today following a short illness.