John Richards, when arriving for his first day at Wolves as an 18-year-old, could barely have imagined that, some 56 years later, he would still be here.
Or that during those intervening five-and-a-half decades, he would make 487 appearances for Wolves, score 194 goals, win two League Cups, reach a UEFA Cup final, become a non-executive director and Managing Director, Chairman of the club’s Former Players Association and, in April of last year, a Vice-President.
“You couldn’t have scripted it, could you?” reflects one of Wolverhampton’s favourite sons whose nickname among the Molineux faithful of ‘King John’, offers the perfect illustration of the esteem in which he is held.
“My first contract at Wolves was for 12 months, and 56 years later, I’m still here!”
Add in a plethora of support in the local community via the charities supported by the FPA, and the same for Wolves Foundation, the club’s official charity, and there is further evidence of just why Richards remains so highly revered in his adopted home city.
And so, in what effectively amounts to a crowning glory for King John, he is now set to receive the honour of the Freedom of the City from the City of Wolverhampton Council.
A truly fitting reflection on the substantial and continuing impact of such an inspirational leader and figurehead.
“I was born in Warrington but Wolverhampton is where my home is and where my heart is – I have lived here all my adult life,” says Richards.
“I brought my family up here, it is where my friends and social groups are, it is part and parcel of who I am.
“So, I was very honoured and flattered to be asked to receive this accolade, and very surprised as well.
“The common denominator throughout all of this is Wolves.
“Since my playing career finished, I have been a non-executive director and managing director at the club, and then an honorary Vice-President.
“I have been closely connected with Wolves for well over half a century, and I think that’s the main thing, the longevity in being connected to the club, the city and the community as a whole.”
The submission put forward by the Council to outline the reasons behind the award outlined that Richards, ‘embodies the spirit and values of our city’.
It continued: ‘He plays a fundamental part in the organisation of social events and vital fundraising activities for local charities, fostering a strong community spirit and providing continuous support for former Wolves players.
‘His dedication to the club’s official charity (the Wolves Foundation) has directly benefited the residents of Wolverhampton, showcasing his unwavering commitment to the community.’
It was actually at a Foundation event where Richards was initially approached by the Leader of the Council – Councillor Steven Simkins – to discuss whether he would be willing to accept the honour of Freedom of the City.
He has got involved in many of the charity’s activities in recent years, including Molineux Memories – the group for people with dementia and their carers – Walking Football and the Molineux Sleepout.
He even threw himself off the top of the Billy Wright Stand last summer! Taking part in the first ever Molineux Abseil, once again showing the way, and raising funds to support people in the city.
But perhaps one of the most significant ways in which Richards has brought that connection of football and community together in recent years has been via his work with the Former Players’ Association.
Initially brought in by FPA administration manager Richard Green as a committee member and Vice-Chairman in 2018, he became Chairman in 2021, and has overseen a strong period of growth for the organisation, and expanded its influence.
The Annual Golf Day organised by current Vice-Chairman Steve Daley continues to underpin crucial donations distributed to local charities, including, in recent years, Compton Care, the Good Shepherd, the Haven, Smile for Joel, Crafty Gardener, the Birch Thompson Memorial Fund, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the Maureen Parkes Breast Care Fund.
Richards’ leadership has helped enormously in building those relationships to positively impact the local community, along with an equally vital role working with different groups to look into providing further support for ex-footballers suffering with dementia and CTE, a brain disorder caused by repeated head injuries.
“I was delighted to help bring John on board with the FPA several years ago, because of the respect and esteem in which he is held, not just by his former team-mates but also the club’s supporters,” Green explains.
“His leadership in the many varied initiatives in which we are now involved is a great motivation to all of us on the committee, and to everyone who supports our events.
“The outstanding work which John delivers has helped to bring a fresh lease of life to the FPA, and this thoroughly deserved accolade is such a fitting way to mark his overall contribution to the club and the city.”
That link between club and community has always been a hugely important one for Richards, from the moment he first set foot in Wolverhampton back in the summer of ‘69.
“When I think back, for all of us as players in the 1970s, we were all about the fans,” he explains.
“A lot of the lads would travel into training or games on the bus, and we’d all be out and about in the city centre after training finished.
“Then there were the strong connections with the official supporters’ clubs like the one run by Albert and Muriel Bates, and other such as Daventry Wolves and London Wolves.
“We would always try and attend their functions and, not only that, we had our own darts team, playing in the local pubs and clubs and supporting charity nights.
“That involvement and connection between the club, the players and the community, is always something which I believe is key to everything.”
After finishing his playing career Richards, now 74, stayed heavily involved within the local areas in other roles, including as sports and recreation manager with the City of Wolverhampton Council, head of leisure services with Cannock Council and operations director at Pitchcare, an online service for groundsmen based initially at Wolverhampton Science Park and then at Telford.
A busy and fulfilling working life to accompany a love of Wolves enjoyed at various levels, all of which is now set to be celebrated at an event in the Mayor’s Parlour in the opening week of February.
Alongside wife Pam, guests will also include Pam’s brother Rob and wife Jenny, his former Wolves team-mate and close pal Kenny Hibbitt and his wife Jane, and lifelong mate John Astall, with whom he struck up a friendship on their first day together at secondary school in Warrington at the age of 11.
Daughter Abbie will be travelling down from Bingley, although other daughter Kim, who lives in Australia, will have to receive a match report after the event!
Richards will join other city stars granted the Freedom of the City honour including former Wolves striker Steve Bull, heptathlete Denise Lewis, singer and actor Beverley Knight, and the one and only Baroness Rachael Heyhoe Flint.
He is in good company, but very much deserves to be there. Congratulations, King John!
