Wolves’ Former Players Association have refreshed its organisational structure, including the appointment of legendary goalscorer John Richards as the new vice-chairman.
The official arm of the club’s former players, first set up back in 1988, continues to go from strength to strength and is now pressing ahead with plans to enjoy further growth in the future.
As well as holding three major events each year – an annual dinner, golf day and Christmas get-together at a home game – the WFPA also donates to several different local charities, as well as supporting Wolves Foundation with members regularly attending their Molineux Memories group.
Events & Administration Manager Richard Green has pulled together the new team, which still includes Ron Flowers as President, Mike Bailey as Chairman, and life Vice-Presidents Peter Creed and Bill Slater.
Richards comes in as Vice-Chairman on a committee comprising Steve Daley – now also Player Liaison – John McAlle, Phil Parkes, Geoff Palmer and Matt Murray.
Following the sad loss of John ‘Foz’ Hendley at the start of the year, his former colleague and former Wolves press officer Paul Berry joins the committee as Communications Officer, while Michelle Westwood, who has helped with the accounts for many years, is officially brought on board as Finance/Secretary.
Green says: “The Wolves’ Former Players Association is now 30 years old, and we are keen to ensure that the organisation continues to evolve and improve to serve our members and also the local community.
“My former colleague from the Express and Star, Peter Creed, was instrumental in its formation at a particular difficult time in the club’s history, and we must strive to ensure that we build on the excellent work he, Billy Wright, Bert Williams and the greats from the 1950’s carried out.
“The WFPA had tremendous support over the ensuing years particularly from Sir Jack Hayward and Steve Morgan, and today we are grateful as that support continues from Jeff Shi, Laurie Dalrymple and the Fosun Group.
“It is vitally important that this organisation continues to develop and is available to everyone who has pulled on that famous gold shirt, and also that we strengthen and develop our links with the current Wolves, as they head into another exciting part of the club’s history.”
For Richards, whose tally of 194 goals in 487 games during a 14-year Wolves’ career saw him enter Molineux folklore, it is a privilege to become involved with the WFPA.
“I am delighted to be joining the Wolves’ Former Players Association as vice-chairman, and once again linking up with so many former team-mates who have become close friends,” he says.
“Wolves is such a special club, and it is no co-incidence that so many of us who spent many years sharing a dressing room stayed in the local area after finishing our careers and continue to regularly meet up.
“We are all well aware of the role of Wolves and indeed football out in the community, and that is why one major feature of the WFPA moving forward will be to ensure that we do everything we can to support local charities and good causes wherever possible.”
The next major event for the WFPA is the Golf Day at Oxley Park Golf Club on September 28th, supporting the Maureen Parkes Breast Cancer Fund, Smile for Joel, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Clic Sargent.
To keep in touch with all WFPA activities follow the official Twitter account – @WolvesFPA
