Over 20 former Wolves players joined with supporters at the Former Players Association’s Annual Golf Day on Friday, raising money for two local charities.
No fewer than 24 fourballs teed off at Oxley Park Golf Club, not far from Molineux, with the list of Wolves’ Alumni spanning the generations.
Guests included Terry Wharton, who made his debut in 1961, through to the likes of John Richards, Phil Parkes, Kenny Hibbitt and Geoff Palmer from the Seventies and Eighties, Mick Holmes and Andy Mutch from the late Eighties and early Nineties, and Don Goodman, who finished his Wolves career in 1998.
Paul Walker, who made 32 appearances for Wolves between 1969 and 1971, also popped in before the shotgun start, catching up with former team-mates he had not seen in almost 50 years.
Steve Daley organises the Annual Golf Day, with help from his wife Lyn, and Palmer and the Wolves FPA committee.
“We’ve been holding an annual golf day now for seven or eight years, and we have so many regulars who keep coming back to support us year after year,” said Daley.
“We’ve had another really good turnout from the former players, and it’s a great chance for them to catch up not only with each other, but also reminisce with Wolves’ supporters.
“It’s a really enjoyable afternoon out on the golf course, followed by a meal and auction in the evening, where everything we raise will be donated to charity.”
This year’s two chosen charities are Birmingham Children’s Hospital, who have been supported by Wolves fans such as Neil Taylor and Steve Plant in recent years, and the Maureen Parkes Breast Care Fund, a charity set up in memory of the wife of the former Wolves goalkeeper Phil.
The WFPA recently handed out cheques for £1,000 apiece to the Good Shepherd and Compton Care charities, following April’s Annual Dinner staged at Molineux.
Daley and Steve Kindon hosted the evening event, which also included a fantastic performance from comedian Josh Daniels.
The WFPA are grateful to all who have provided refreshments for the event, including the Midlands Co-Operative store and Allan Bennett Butchers at Codsall, as well as auction prizes, including Wolves donating a signed pair of Conor Coady’s boots and some match tickets.
Pictures: Dave Bagnall