News Index

Archived News:

31st May 2007

Kightly Going Nowhere

Winger Michael Kightly has assured Wolves fans he is going nowhere and instead wants to sign an extended deal.
The 21-year-old joined the Molineux club from Conference side Grays in November and has gone on to score eight goals in 26 appearances.
And after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract following an initial six-week loan, Kightly is anticipating a contract extension.

He said: "When I joined, I signed a two-and-a-half-year deal but the manager told me I would be offered a new contract if I did okay and I feel I have had a decent season.
"There has been some speculation about me and other clubs, but I have always said if I was offered a new, longer contract at Wolves I would be more than happy to sign it.
"I love the place, I get on really well with the rest of the lads and the supporters and I think the gaffer is a top manager."

30th May 2007

Keeper Earns First Full Cap

Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was thrilled to earn his first senior Wales cap in Saturday's friendly at Wrexham.
The 20-year-old appeared as a second-half substitute in the 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
"If someone had told me I would play for even a minute, I would have been thrilled," he told his club's website.
"So to get on for 45 minutes and not concede a goal is the icing on the cake. It would be fantastic if I have another opportunity soon."

29th May 2007

Home Friendly

Wolves only home pre-season friendly will be against Premier League Reading on Saturday 4th August, kick-off 3pm.
This season they finished eighth in the Premiership narrowly missing out on a place in Europe.
Two ex-Wolves players could be returning to Molineux for the game, Seol Ki-Hyeon and Ivar Ingimarsson.
Ticket details for the friendly will be announced at a later date.

25th May 2007

Pitch Maintenance Begins

Maintenance work has begun on the pitch at Molineux, the club's ground staff have removed the top 15mm from the surface ahead of re-seeding.
Also this summer some additional work will be done to improve drainage of the Molineux turf.
Club secretary Richard Skirrow explained on WOW: "Whilst we were very pleased with the way the pitch performed last season, there are still isolated patches that have drainage problems.
"To remedy this we have put some extra drainage slits into the affected areas. These are basically perforated pipes that connect up with the main drainage system, and we should see an improvement during periods of heavy rainfall."

24th May 2007

International Debuts

Three Wolves players made their senior debuts for Ireland, Darren Potter, Andy Keogh, and Stephen Gleeson all played in Ireland's one-all draw with Ecuador in New York.
The friendly was part of a two-game tour of America, the next match is against Bolivia in Boston on Saturday.
Potter played the whole 90 minutes whilst Keogh was substituted after 69 minutes and Gleeson came on at 79 minutes.
Boss Steve Staunton gave 11 players a debut (four as subs).

23rd May 2007

Reserve Team Rejoins League

Wolves have decided to rejoin a reserve league after they withdrew from a formal reserve competition last season because of having such a small squad.
During the course of 2006/07 Wolves second team played 18 games (11 at Compton) at times to suit the demands of the first team fixture programme.
However, subject to the arrangement being ratified by the League's AGM in early June, Wolves will play in the Central Division of the Pontin's Holiday League next season.
The 12 team competition will include clubs such as Coventry, Stoke, Leicester and West Brom (unless promoted to Premier League). The venue for home games is yet to be confirmed.

21st May 2007

Club Statement

From www.wolves.co.uk: After an exhaustive search to find the right new owner for Wolves, the club is delighted to announce that, subject to contract and formal approval from the Hayward Family Trust trustees (the ultimate legal owner of the club), Sir Jack Hayward OBE acting for himself and the trustees has agreed to procure the transfer of 100% of the shares in Wolves to British businessman Steve Morgan OBE, via Carden Leisure Ltd, a company controlled by him. Having now struck a deal, the process for completion is expected to be concluded in early June. It was felt important to inform supporters of this exciting news as soon as possible but for obvious reasons, no announcement could be made until Wolves' season had ended.

In keeping his promise to supporters to step aside for the right person, Sir Jack has taken the unprecedented step of 'gifting' the shares of Wolverhampton Wanderers (1990) Ltd, the club's holding company, to Carden Leisure for £10 (ten pounds) in return for a £30 million investment into the Club. All of the £30m will be used for the benefit of Wolves. Sir Jack is making this gift for the benefit of the club and in order to secure the future of the Club on a long term basis.

It is intended that the new capital, over a period of time, will be used to help re-establish Wolves as a Premiership club. Although this is a significant amount of money there will not be an 'open cheque book' approach to signing players; instead the club will build on the current strategy of steadily and progressively developing a team of young, hungry and talented players.

Having been impressed by what he's seen of the club to date, Steve Morgan is keen to ensure stability and continuity by retaining Mick McCarthy as First Team Manager and Jez Moxey as Chief Executive.

Sir Jack purchased Wolves in 1990 for £2m and has invested £50m of his personal wealth into the club. He announced his intention to step aside in September 2003. Since then a number of parties have expressed interest but, in Steve Morgan, Sir Jack feels he has finally found someone who not only has the best interests of the club at heart but also has the resources necessary to take over the responsibility for returning the club to its former greatness.

In recognition of his unique commitment to Wolves and to ensure his experience is not lost, Sir Jack will remain Life President and be available to the Club to provide whatever support they require. Sir Jack's grandson Rupert Hayward (son of Rick Hayward), a lifelong Wolves fan, will join the board which will also consist of Steve Morgan (Chairman); Jez Moxey (Chief Executive); and local businessmen and Wolves fans John Bowater; John Gough and Kevin Threlfall who joined the board at the beginning of last season.

Steve Morgan was the founder and former Chairman of UK house builder Redrow plc, before selling a majority shareholding in 2000. He is now Chairman of the privately owned Bridgemere Group of Companies, Harrow Estates plc, one of the UK's leading contaminated land specialists and Salamanca Finance plc, one of Eastern Europe's leading development finance companies.

A massive football fan, Steve was born and grew up in Liverpool and has followed Liverpool F.C. since childhood. In 2004 he came close to buying a controlling interest in the Club. He fully understands the game, its importance to fans and its local community.

No further comment will be made by the club, Sir Jack or Steve Morgan until the legal formalities have been completed. At that time a formal media conference involving the principals will be held at Molineux.

20th May 2007

Kightly To Get New Deal

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that Michael Kightly will be offered a new contract at Molineux.
The winger signed a two and a half year deal in the January transfer window after being on loan from Grays Athletic and is now attracting a great deal of attention with his impressive performances for Wolves. He's reportedly a target for Manchester United on the eve of his signing at Molineux.

Mick McCarthy said on WOW: "Will Michael be offered a new deal? Absolutely!
"We said when he came in that we would reward him if he did well and that's what we'll do.
"If there are clubs interested (in signing him), I would say 'no chance'.
"In terms of his development he's come a long way since he arrived here, it's been remarkable.
"Now he's got to do it all again starting on August 11 at Wolves and I've no doubt he will.
"Kites came in the day after the play-offs and said he wants the number seven shirt for next season.
"I've told him that unless we sign David Beckham then it's his!"

19th May 2007

Player Clear Out

Three out of contract players, plus a loan signing, have left Molineux with four more being made available for transfer.

Craig Davies has ended his season long loan spell from Verona whilst striker Carl Cort, midfielder Rohan Ricketts and long serving goalkeeper Michael Oakes are now all free agents.
Denes Rosa, Jamie Clapham, Jemal Johnson and Tomasz Frankowski are all on the transfer list.
Hungarian midfielder Rosa signed a three-year deal last summer but failed to win a place in the side under new manager Mick McCarthy. He made just one appearance this term, in the League Cup, and spent a month on loan at Cheltenham.
Defender Clapham was one of the boss' early signings, arriving at Wolves on a free from Birmingham, just before the start of the 2006/07 campaign. He made 28 appearances (five as sub).
Johnson was another McCarthy capture, for an undisclosed fee from Blackburn. However, after 24 appearances (10 as sub), he was sent out on loan to Leeds.
Frankowski, who is contracted to Wolves until summer 2008, spent the whole of 2006/07 on loan to Tenerife.

Also coming to the end of their contracts are Lewis Gobern and Kevin O'Connor. Gobern has been offered a new two year deal, which he has yet to accept, whilst the club has a 12 month extension option on O'Connor which will be exercised.

18th May 2007

McNamara Moving Back North

Former Celtic captain Jackie McNamara is on the verge of completing a move back to Scotland with Aberdeen.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, McNamara's father Jackie senior says that his son will move to Pittodrie during the close season after two years at Wolves.

"I think the move to Aberdeen is set in concrete," he said.
"He hasn't passed his medical yet, but I think Jackie's given his word to Jimmy Calderwood, and I'm looking forward to seeing him back in the SPL."

The 33-year-old McNamara - who has 31 Scotland caps - left Celtic in 2005 after a 10 year spell at Parkhead.
McNamara's two year spell at Wolves has been blighted by injury but he played in both legs of the Premiership play-off defeat to West Brom.
Wednesday's second leg looks set to be his last for the Molineux side as he becomes Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood's latest capture now that his contract is due to expire.
Calderwood has told BBC Scotland that he hopes to complete the signing of McNamara within seven days, but added that a deal had not yet been done.

17th May 2007

Gleeson Gets Call-Up

Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has drafted Wolves teenager Stephen Gleeson into his squad for next week's friendly international in the United States.
The Irish boss called up the 18-year-old midfielder yesterday to give him a first taste of senior action.
Gleeson has been brought in to compensate for the loss of West Brom defender Paul McShane following the Baggies' progression to the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final.

The youngster made his fourth senior appearance for Wolves as a substitute in last night's meeting between the sides in the semi-final second leg.
Staunton had intended to hand a debut call-up to Wolves striker Stephen Ward, but the former Bohemians star suffered an injury in the latter stages of last night's game.
The Irish manager has lost many of the players he originally selected for the meetings with Ecuador in New York on Wednesday, and Bolivia in Boston three days later.

Match Reaction

Mick McCarthy said after last nights match: "It had been a fantastic journey for us, but tonight feels like a crash landing.
"We had our chance on Sunday when we dominated the game for an hour but failed to come away with a lead after the first leg, and that is what has cost us.
"West Brom have done to us what we should have done to them at our place but they are a very good side with some very good players.
"At the start of the season, I do not think anyone was expecting us to reach the play-offs but that is of no consolation to me because we have come away with nothing.
"They say every cloud has a silver lining and I will be looking for one - but it is very, very cloudy at the moment."

16th May 2007

West Brom (4) 1-0 (2) Wolves
Play-Off Semi Final 2nd Leg

38mins: Yellow card, Potter.
Half Time: West Brom 0-0 Wolves.
59mins: Wolves substitution, Gleeson on for Mcindoe.
65mins: Goal, Phillips heads West Brom into the lead.
76mins: Wolves substitution, Mulgrew on for McNamara.
79mins: West Brom substitution, Ellington on for Phillips.
81mins: Yellow card, Kamara.
83mins: West Brom substitution, MacDonald on for Kamara.
84mins: Wolves substitution, Ward on for Kightly.
Full Time: West Brom (4) 1-0 (2) Wolves.

15th May 2007

Team News

West Brom: midfielder Richard Chaplow is struggling with a back injury suffered in the first leg at Molineux.
But defender Neil Clement is available to Baggies boss Tony Mowbray after completing a four-match suspension.

Wolves: boss Mick McCarthy has no fresh injury worries to concern him to take into the second leg.
With first-choice goalkeeper Matt Murray ruled out with a fractured shoulder, Wayne Hennessey is again likely to deputise between the posts.

14th May 2007

Match Reaction

Mick Mccarthy said after the match "I shouldn't be sitting here as a defeated manager.
"Dean Kiely had a huge influence on the game, their finishing when they had the opportunities has been better.
"We have run all over them for a large part of the game and been punished.
"But we will play exactly the same way so there is a bit more of that to come on Wednesday."

13th May 2007

Wolves 2-3 West Brom
Play-Off Semi Final 1st Leg

25mins: Goal, Phillips gives West Brom the lead.
26mins: West Brom substitution, Carter on for Chaplow (injured).
41mins: Yellow card, Sodje.
44mins: GOAL, Craddock heads Wolves level.
Half Time: Wolves 1-1 West Brom.
52mins: GOAL, Olofinjana gives Wolves the lead.
54mins: Goal, Phillips levels the score.
64mins: Yellow card, McShane.
64mins: West brom substitution, Gera on for Koren.
69mins: West brom substitution, Ellington on for Phillips.
73mins: Goal, Kamara puts West Brom back ahead.
78mins: Wolves substitution, Little on for McNamara and Ward on for Bothroyd.
Full Time: Wolves 2-3 West Brom.

Murray Out

Wolves have confirmed goalkeeper Matt Murray has broken his shoulder.
The 26-year-old former England U21 international suffered the injury in training on Saturday and is set for a spell on the sidelines.
He was replaced by 20-year-old debutant Wayne Hennessey for the Championship play-off semi-final first leg against West Brom.

12th May 2007

Team News

Wolves: striker Jay Bothroyd and right-back Mark Little are Wolves' only injury concerns for Sunday's match.
But boss Mick McCarthy is confident they will recover from respective toe and hamstring injuries.

West Brom: welcome Diomansy Kamara and Darren Carter back from respective one-game and three-game suspensions for the Black Country derby.
But Neil Clement serves the final game of a four-match ban while Curtis Davies is out with a broken metatarsal.

11th May 2007

Play-Off Preview

The Black Country is gearing up for a huge two-legged affair as Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion vie for a place in the Championship play-off final.
The first leg from Molineux on Sunday is live on Sky Sports 1, and whilst local pride will be at stake, a chance to face off with either Derby or Southampton at Wembley for a £60million Premiership pay-day is a much more valuable reward for victory.
With so much at stake, tensions could be running high and West Midlands Police have already appealed for calm as the rivals prepare to do combat over two legs.
Mick McCarthy and Tony Mowbray both saw their sides clinch a play-off place after winning their final two games of the season.
Aware of the added pressure that the play-offs bring, Mowbray sought to ensure that his team will remain calm by treating them to a relaxing trip to the races on Wednesday.
However, Wolves will be determined to prevent them from reaching the final furlong as they eye a return to the top flight for the first time since 2004.

10th May 2007

Frankowski Wants To Stay In Spain

Wolves striker Tomasz Frankowski says he hopes to quit the club at the end of the season.
The Polish international is currently on a season-long loan with Spanish second division side CD Tenerife and he wants to make the move permanent.

"At the moment I am a Wolverhampton player, but I would like to come here," he told the Express & Star.
"I've not spoken with anybody at either club yet but that is my hope. My dream is to play well with Tenerife."

9th May 2007

1st leg Ticket News

From www.wolves.co.uk: Fans with 50+ loyalty points are invited to call the Ticket Office today and secure a ticket for Sunday's play-off game.

More than 21,500 tickets have now been sold for the home leg and with 1,917 additional fans able to book today they are asked to spread their calls and take advantage of the extended opening hours.The Ticket Office is open until 10pm tonight. Remaining season ticket holders can still book a ticket, but they may not be able to secure their normal seat as the deadline for guaranteed reservations was 10pm on Tuesday 8th May.

Please remember that fans can purchase one ticket per supporter number, subject to having the right amount of loyalty points. Fans that have booked tickets throughout the season and not given their supporter number (or that of their friends when buying more than one ticket) will not be able to have points awarded retrospectively. The ticketing software will not let operators process a sale unless the supporter number has the right number of loyalty points to allow the transaction to take place.

Fans with less than 50 loyalty points are asked not to call the Ticket Office until the appropriate time:

30 + loyalty points, Thursday 10th May

30/no loyalty points, Friday 11th May

Please remember that any tickets purchased after 5pm on the 9th April deadline DO NOT count towards this season's total.

Away tickets: all fans entering ballot secure a ticket

Despite having just 2,700 tickets for the Hawthorns game on Wednesday 16th May, all fans who entered the ballot will soon be receiving a ticket through the post.

Due to the restricted number of available tickets, all fans with 1,050+ loyalty points were invited to apply for a guaranteed ticket and those with 1,030+ loyalty points were invited to enter the ballot for remaining tickets. The process of selling the away tickets will be completed today so supporters will be receiving their away tickets over the next couple of days.

For further information please call 0870 442 0123 and press option 2 for ticket news and option 3 for ticket sales.

8th May 2007

Play-Off Ticket Sales

From www.wolves.co.uk: Over 12,000 season ticket holders secured their ticket for the Molineux play-off game yesterday.

Telephone operators successfully processed over 3,500 sales to season ticket holders and the majority of the 8,500 pre-ordered tickets were posted 'first class'. Fans who pre-ordered do not need to call the Ticket Office as their ticket should arrive through the post today or tomorrow.

Whilst the ticket line was busy for the first hour of sales, the majority of people ringing after 3pm spoke to an operator and booked their ticket in less than a minute. Therefore, fans are asked to spread calls across the day and take advantage of the extended opening hours.

The ticket office lines are open from 8am to 10pm until Friday 11th May. Season ticket holders have until 10pm tonight to secure their seat. Around 900 fans with 100+ loyalty points can also book tickets today.

Fans who don't have a season ticket or 100+ loyalty points are asked not to call the Ticket Office until the appropriate time based on their loyalty points remembering that any tickets they may have purchased after the 5pm, 9th April deadline DO NOT count towards this season's total.

Those fans that have been booking tickets and not providing their supporter number or that of their friends will not be able to have points awarded retrospectively. Operators can only process a ticket successfully if the supporter number qualifies, the ticketing software does not allow ineligible supporters to purchase.

50 + loyalty points Wednesday 9th May
30 + loyalty points Thursday 10th May
Less than 30/no loyalty points Friday 11th May

For further information please call 0870 442 0123 and press option 2 for ticket news and option 3 for ticket sales.

7th May 2007

Match Reaction

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy said after the match: "Whoever wrote the script for the play-offs certainly has a sense of humour. They will be two blood-and-thunder ties you can be sure of that.
"It has been looking like we would meet for some time with the way results have been going in recent weeks and it will be an interesting couple of games.
"They have had a great result against Barnsley. They have a strong squad - most managers would probably say theirs is the strongest in the league - and they should be in the promotion shake-up.
"Of course it is good that we are involved but it is only an opportunity and nothing should be taken for granted now that we are there."

McCarthy hailed the impact of quartet Keogh, Kightly, Stephen Ward and Michael McIndoe since their arrivals at the club in January.
He added: "They have improved us there is no doubt about that and they have played a big part in getting us where we are.
"The £600,000 we spent on Keogh looks like fantastic business to me.
"Everybody always looks for reasons why they have settled so well but let's see how they - and we as a team - handle the next 12 days."

6th May 2007

Leicester 1-4 Wolves

3mins: Goal, Hume puts Leicester ahead.
25mins: GOAL, Olofinjana puts Wolves level.
33mins: GOAL, Kightly gives Wolves the lead.
37mins: Yellow card, Potter.
38mins: Yellow card, Tiatto.
42mins: Yellow card, Kisnorbo.
Half Time: Leicester 1-2 Wolves.
46mins: Leicester substitution, Kenton on for Stearmen (injured).
53mins: GOAL, McAuley puts it into his own net.
55mins: Yellow card, McNamara.
57mins: Wolves substitution, Little on for Mcnamara.
62mins: Wolves substitution, Ward on for Bothroyd.
62mins: Red card, Kisnorbo, second bookable offence.
64mins: Yellow card, Newton.
64mins: Yellow card, Hume.
68mins: Yellow card, Craddock.
80mins: Leciester substitution, Porter on for Tiatto.
81mins: Leicester substitution, Cadamarteri on for Fryatt.
85mins: Ward fouled by McAuley, penalty given.
86mins: GOAL, Keogh scores from the spot.
86mins: Yellow card, Johansson.
88mins: Wolves substitution, Gleeson on for Potter.
90mins: Yellow card, McCauley.
Full Time: Leicester 1-4 Wolves.

5th May 2007

Team News

Leicester: will be without winger Joe Mattock after he was called up to the England under-17 squad, his place is likely to taken by Danny Tiatto.
Captain Paddy McCarthy is not expected to be involved, but Darren Kenton (hamstring) looks set to return.

Wolves: boss Mick McCarthy has no serious injury concerns ahead of this must-win clash.
Andy Keogh, Gary Breen and Jay Bothroyd have all struggled this week but are expected to be passed fit for the game.

2nd May 2007

Hennessey Named In Wales Squad

Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey has been named in the full Welsh squad.

The 20-year-old , who has previously played at under 21 level, heard today that he will be included in the squad to play two games: a friendly against New Zealand at Wrexham on 26th May and a Euro 2008 qualifier with The Czech Republic at Cardiff on 2nd June.

The Welsh FA have indicated they would be sympathetic to a request to withdraw the youngster from the first match should Wolves be fortunate enough to have extended their season and be involved in the play-off final.