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30th June 2004

Ndah Signs For Another Year

Wolves striker George Ndah has signed a new 12 month contract at Wolves, his existing deal was due to expire today.
Ndah missed the whole of last season due to a knee injury he picked up in the first leg of the play-off semi final against Reading in May 2003. After undergoing surgery, Ndah was initially expecting to be out for just three to four months. But, his comeback was constantly delayed and admits there were days during the long winter months when he felt very low and was grateful to his fellow long-term injury victims Matt Murray and Jo Lescott for helping keep him going.
Now he is looking forward to restarting his Molineux career when he reports for pre-season training on Monday.

Ndah said on WOW:“I can’t wait for Monday and to get going.
“I’m going back into full training but I’ll be playing it by ear. I’ve been out for a long time and it’s not just my knee but my whole body that has got to get used to that level of intensity again. But I'm looking forward to being back with the squad.
“If I’d have known from the start I would be out for a whole year I would have got my head around that.
“But it wasn’t until around Christmas time that I began to think there was a chance I’d miss the whole season.
“When I saw teams like Manchester United and Arsenal roll into town it was very hard to take. I didn’t watch many home games because I just couldn’t face it. I desperately wanted to be able to play.
“There were days that I got up and just felt it was all getting on top of me. Having Jo and Matt around in the gym to bounce off gave me a lift.
“The medical staff were also there to help me through it and they were aware there were times when I needed a few days away from the rehab work.
“It was also a huge help to have fans come up to me and say how much they were looking forward to seeing me back. Whenever someone said that it was a real boost and made me want to get fit even quicker.
“I did consider whether a fresh start somewhere else might bring me more luck but at the end of the day I’m convinced I’ve made the right decision in re-signing for Wolves,” he adds.
“If I’d have gone somewhere else there would have been pressure on me to start playing straightaway whereas here Wolves know my history and will be patient with me.
“Also, I really do want to repay the fantastic backing I’ve had from the fans. From the first ball I ever kicked for Wolves they have been superb and what I want more than anything now is to get back and score some goals for them.
“The day I get to walk back out onto the pitch wearing a gold shirt is going to be very emotional for me. I can’t wait for that to happen.”

Fixture Change For TV

Wolves opening game of the season will be shown live on Sky. This means the away trip to Stoke will now be played on Sunday 8th August.
The kick-off time has yet been to be confirmed because of the Community Shield match.
Wolves are now looking to put their first home match against Preston back 24 hours to Wednesday 11th August.

29th June 2004

Silas Out On Loan

Wolves midfielder Silas has joined Portuguese club Maritimo on a season-long loan.
Silas failed to make an impact last season making only two starts for after his £1 million summer transfer from Lieria and saw his place in Portugal’s international squad suffer as a result.
The 28-year-old has two years left on his contract at Molineux, with the club having the option of a further 12 months. But Wolves have also offered  Maritimo, the option to buy the midfielder for £3million at any time during his loan.

Chief executive Jez Moxey said on WOW: “We retain our interest in Silas and if the option to purchase isn’t taken up he will come back to Wolves in 12 months time.
“Silas didn’t make the break through that we had hoped for last season and a move back to Portugal will give him the chance to get back playing at first team level.”

28th June 2004

Transfer News

Wolves have dismissed reports Bolton have made a £2,500,000 bid for striker Henri Camara.
Chief executive Jez Moxey confirmed there had been no official bid for the Senegalese frontman but acknowledged a fax formalising the Bolton's interest in Camara had been received.

Moxey said on WOW: "I had a telephone conversation a few weeks ago with Bolton's chairman, Phil Gartside, who expressed an interest in signing Henri Camara who they value at £2.5m.
"I explained our position and told him we were not interested in selling - which he accepted - and last Thursday we received a faxed letter simply confirming, for the record, what was said in the conversation.
"The letter was not an offer to buy the player and Bolton's valuation of Henri is far below his true value to us.
"Our priority is to regain promotion at the first attempt and we need players like Henri Camara to help us do this.
"So if Bolton or any other club are interested in buying Henri they would have to make an offer far in excess of £2.5m before we would even consider it."

West Brom and Wolves could be set to battle to sign Preston striker Ricardo Fuller after the club accepted a transfer request from him.
The Jamaica international turned down a lucrative contract extension earlier this year and will be able to leave Deepdale on a free next summer.
Preston chairman Derek Shaw told the official club website: "We have to be realistic. There is no point holding on to a player who is not 110% behind the club and his team-mates. My job as chairman is to secure the best deal for the club."
Shaw claims Fuller has been unsettled since Preston rejected a bid from Wolves earlier this year, while the Baggies are actively seeking to sign a new striker ahead of their forthcoming Premiership campaign.

Lilywhites boss Craig Brown admits it is a blow to his plans for the Championship campaign and said: "I am naturally very disappointed.
"Apparently Ricardo is very impatient to get into the bigger money. It is a blow to lose one of the better players, but we will press on as a matter of urgency to find a suitable replacement."

Dave Jones is also working hard to make sure that influential skipper Paul Ince stays at Molineux for another season.
Ince has been offered a new one-year contract with Wolves, but is being targeted by three Premiership clubs and one other offering him the chance to continue his career on the continent.
That could mean that Jones will miss out on a player he is desperate to keep, as Ince is a vital part of his plans in returning Wolves back to the Premiership.
Jones met the 36-year-old midfielder in Portugal during Euro 2004, and is now waiting anxiously for an answer from the veteran.

25th June 2004

Season Review Released

Wolves have released their season review called 'The Best Of The Premiership', it is now available on DVD and video. It has highlights of all the key matches, including the first Premiership victory against Manchester City, the great comeback against Leicester and the defeat of Manchester United at Molineux.
DVDs are £20 and videos £15 and are available at Wolves online megastore.

24th June 2004

2004-05 Fixtures

The fixtures for the 2004-05 Championship League have been released. Wolves start their season with an away trip to Stoke on Saturday 7th August, their first home fixture is on Tuesday 10th August against Preston. Their final League game is at Molineux against Sheff Utd on Sunday 8th May.
For the full list click here.

23rd June 2004

Jones Back

Wolves boss Dave Jones returned to Molineux today armed with a list of potential targets from his Euro 2004 spying mission.
The boss and his coaching staff have spent a fortnight in Portugal, watching a selection of group matches and training sessions.
The Wolves staff concentrated on teams including Latvia, Russia and Greece and Jones said he was planning to follow up his interest in a couple of players who caught his eye.

Jones said: "It was well worth going and it has given an insight into one or two players who have taken our fancy.
"Now we are back in the First Division there is no transfer deadline so we can afford to keep tabs on the players and have a longer look at them.
"Just seeing them for a short time in a tournament is not long enough to make a proper judgement.
"One of the problems we face is that there are only four players in the whole tournament who don't play in top flight football.
"That makes it harder to compete for their services and means we have to do all we can to get back into the Premiership.
"In the meantime we have a list of targets that we are continuing to try and bring in straight away.
"Those negotiations are continuing and I want all players signed, sealed and delivered here by July 5 when the players report back."

Kachloul Linked

Former Aston Villa midfielder Hassan Kachloul has been linked with a move to Molineux. His Villa Park contract comes to an end next Wednesday and he becomes a free agent.
Kachloul did not make a single appearance for Villa last season, and joined Wolves on-loan last season but it was wrecked by injury problems and he only made four appearances.

Kachloul joined Villa as a free agent from Southampton in the summer of 2001, after Dave Jones brought Kachloul to England from the French club, St Etienne, when he was in charge at Southampton back in October 1998.

Another Friendly Announced

Wolves have announced another friendly match with Hednesford Town Tuesday 13th July at Keys Park with a 7.30pm kick-off. The local friendly is on the same day as another friendly, against Tamworth, so Wolves will split the squad for both matches, as they has done over the past two pre-seasons.

22nd June 2004

Wolves Fan Stabbed

Wolves supporter Stephen Smith has tragically died in Lisbon. The 27-year-old Molineux season ticket holder from Bushbury, died in the early hours of the morning after an alleged mugging incident following England’s victory over Croatia.
The England team will be wearing black armbands in respect when they play Portugal.

Transfer News

Wolves boss Dave Jones looks certain to miss out on the first name on his summer shopping list.
Jones with his chairman and chief executive, travelled to Norway at the end of the season to watch Nigerian midfielder Seyi Olofinjane.
But the highly-rated 23-year-old is believed to have agreed a four-year deal with Monaco.

Dave Jones has opened talks with Paul Ince aimed at keeping the veteran midfielder at the club.
He said on WOW: "I met up with Incey and we had a long chat.
"Talks are ongoing at this stage and that's about all I can report. But our situation is clear - we want to re-sign him and Paul is thinking it over.
"Negotiations are continuing between Jez, Incey and his people."

18th June 2004

Camara's Agent Plays Down Reports

Henri Camara’s agent has played down yesterday's reports that Camara wouldn’t be returning to Molineux for pre-season training.
Camara is currently on holiday in Senegal and reports yesterday indicated that he had told reporters in his home country that he was prepared to stay there until he won a transfer back into the Premiership.
Camara's agent Willie McKay said: “I have not yet had the chance to speak with Henri about this but my immediate reaction is to be very suspicious. I think that some journalists have got the wrong end of the stick here and put a twist on Henri’s words and desire to play in the Premiership. I certainly know nothing about this story or his refusing to come back"

17th June 2004

Injured Trio Ready For Pre-Season

Three of Wolves long-term injured players should be fit for next season.
Defender Joleon Lescott who has not played since Wolves beat Sheffield United in the play-off final in May 2002, has set himself the target of being fit for the start of the season after having two knee operations.
The world renowned Richard Steadman carried out the second operation after Lescott broke down on the comeback trail.

Lescott said: "If I continue to progress then being available for the start of the season is a realistic aim.
"I aim to be back in training on 5th July. I might not be able to do everything that everyone else does at the start and I might have to pick and choose to begin with."

Goalkeeper Matt Murray only made one Premiership appearance due to a succession of injury problems, he is also on course to start pre-season training with the rest of the squad.

Striker George Ndah also missed all of last season with knee problems, and he hopes to be fit for the start of the next campaign. Ndah is also expected to sign a new one-year deal at Molineux later this month.

16th June 2004

Duberry Still Coming

Leeds defender Michael Duberry is still set for Molineux but not until later this month because the club's interest in an alternative target hit problems.
Wolves have been stalling on the Duberry deal while manager Dave Jones and chief executive Jez Moxey checked on other defenders. But it is understood that those enquiries have hit a dead end and that paves the way for the Duberry deal to be completed.
Duberry will be a free transfer and his wages will be heavily subsidised, he has two years of his £24,000 a week Elland Road contract remaining and Leeds will meet two-thirds of that commitment.
 

14th June 2004

Butler Transfer Completed

Wolves defender Paul Butler has completed his move to Leeds, after turning down Wolves offer of a one-year deal at Molineux.
Butler has agreed a two-year deal at Elland Road and will complete the formalities on July 1st, but the proposed swap deal with Michael Duberry has yet to materialise.
Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said: "Paul goes with our genuine best wishes and gratitude for his efforts at Wolves. He helped us get promoted and we shall never forget that."

11th June 2004

Butler Going North

Wolves have announced central defender Paul Butler is set to sign a two year deal with Leeds United later today. His contract at Molineux ended this summer and he was offered a one-year extension by Wolves but Butler wanted a two-year deal.
Meanwhile Wolves officials are refusing to officially confirm the names of any transfer targets as speculation continues about Michael Duberry. Leeds have indicated that they may be prepared to subsidise the players’ wages if he leaves the club.
Boss Dave Jones has made it clear he wants the bulk of his targets signed and sealed by the time the players report back for pre-season training on 5th July.

10th June 2004

The Championship

From the Official Football League Website:

The Football League has confirmed new names for its three divisions, after Club Chairmen approved plans at The League’s summer meeting in Chester. The 2004/05 season will see Divisions One, Two and Three being re-titled ‘The Championship’, ‘League One’ and ‘League Two’ respectively.

In announcing the new titles Football League Chairman Sir Brian Mawhinney said: “'The Championship' is a term steeped in the history of The Football League. Reclaiming it for our leading clubs will place a new enhanced emphasis on its status at the pinnacle of our competition.
“Not only is it a gateway to the Premiership, it is one of Europe's leading league competitions, in terms of the standard of football being played, the high quality of stadia and the numbers of supporters attending”.

In launching ‘The Championship’, ‘League One and ‘League Two’ the League is seeking to build on the growth which professional football has experienced in recent seasons - The League recently announced its highest attendance figures for 40 years. The aim is to brighten the financial outlook for League clubs and enable them to begin closing the monetary gap that exists with the Premiership. To reflect its new set of names, The Football League has also revealed a re-designed logo to succeed the organisation's previous identity which has been in use since The League’s centenary in 1988.

The new naming strategy represents the first stage of a wider ‘re-branding’ exercise that seeks to strengthen perceptions of The Football League and its competitions by emphasising both the quality of football on offer at League grounds and also the integral role football clubs play in their local communities.

Ganea Staying

Striker Vio Ganea signed a new two-year deal last night, keeping the striker at Molineux until 2006. The 30-year-old Romanian made 19 appearances for Wolves last season and scored four goals.
Ganea said on WOW: “I am very happy to be coming back to Wolves next year.
"My family is happy here and I made the decision after speaking to them. The fans are fantastic and I thought about them also.
“Now I must concentrate on working hard ready for next season. We have to come back into the Premier League, we need to get there again for the fans."

Boss Dave Jones, added: “Vio has shown his intentions since the day he walked into the club. He wants to do well and he very quickly earned the respect of the other players in the squad.
“Everything he does is about wanting the best. He is a ‘box’ player and his strength and determination are tremendous. He would run through brick walls for you and I’m very happy that he has decided to commit himself to Wolves for another two years.”

Dave Jones also said that relegation from the Premiership is making life more difficult for him in the transfer market.
He said: "It all depends whether they want to come to a First Division club.
"I have to try and sell it to them as I did with other players I have signed.
"But it is a big club and you only have to show them clippings or magazines to show them the support we have and that is a big selling point.
"Now with the new sponsors we have that is a big help for us as well.
"If you are going to move forward you need to have good sponsors coming forward."

9th June 2004

More Work At Molineux

The newly seeded grass at Molineux has now taken hold and is a lush green colour ready for next season.

Also the 830 temporary seating stand that was built between the Billy Wright and Jack Harris stands last summer, has been taken down as the company that hired it out to Wolves need it over the summer months..
No decision has been made as to whether or not it will be re-installed ahead of the new season.

8th June 2004

Masters Football

Wolves won the Midlands Masters Football at the Covenrty Skydome on the 5th June. Aston Villa, Birmingham, Wolves and West Brom all took part. Wolves lost their first game against Birmingham 2-1, then beat Villa 2-0 and drew with West Brom 2-2. They went through to the final against Birmingham who finished top in the mini league.
Wolves recorded a record victory in Masters Football beating Birmingham 8-0 with goals from Goodman (2), Clarke (3), Burke, Atkins, and Purdie. Sending them through to the Grand Final at the Hallam FM Arena in Sheffield on September 5th with a 6pm kick-off.

For more information on Masters Football see their website: www.mastersfootball.com

7th June 2004

Striker's Update

Moxey said: "We won't be talking today and it will probably be Wednesday before we speak.
"There is nothing untoward about it and talks are continuing.
"We want to try to keep Vio on board but we won't be taking anything for granted until it is all signed, sealed and delivered."
 

5th June 2004

Defence Update

Butler's agent said: "We are not planning any further talks with Wolves.
"If they come back to us then fine, but we think that they have made us their best offer and we already have others to consider.
"We are always available for Jez Moxey to call us but that comes down to a case of whether Wolves really want to keep him.
"We will accept whatever offer is right for Paul. But as far as we are concerned it is unlikely that Paul will stay at Wolves."
 

4th June 2004

Transfer News

Wolves boss Dave Jones is being linked with a move for 21-year-old Aston Villa defender Rob Edwards.
The Wales international has not played a part in David O'Leary's plans at Villa and he could be available for a bargain fee.
Coach Stuart Gray knows Edwards well and it is his presence that could persuade the young defender to make the short move across the west Midlands.

Former Newcastle United assistant boss Mick Wadsworth wants Wolves striker Carl Cort to join his new side Beira Mar in Portugal.
Wadsworth has taken charge and is now preparing for next season in Portugal's top flight and has targeted Cort as a man he would love to have in his squad.
The 26-year-old left Newcastle in January to join Wolves for £2 million and had a decent end to the season, scoring five goals in 13 games.
But Wadsworth is hoping that Cort will not want to play in Division One next season.
Wadsworth will have to do some smooth talking to get Cort to agree to move to Portugal, but he will be determined to get his man.
Beira Mar finished 11th in the league last season and have a new stadium, the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro, to play in after it was built for Euro 2004.

Strker Vio Ganea is ready to snub an instant return to the Premiership and sign a new contract with Wolves on Monday.
Ganea joined Wolves on New Year's Day and has been offered a two-year deal to remain at Molineux, his agent Gary Williams said it was likely he would sign on Monday.
Ganea has not spoken to any other clubs, despite interest from Premiership teams Charlton, Norwich, WBA and Bolton, because of his desire to stay.
But Williams warned that if a deal is not thrashed out by early next week, the 30-year-old striker would talk to other interested parties.
Williams said: "It is looking favourable, but we will be going in for further talks on Monday.
"We are trying to pull towards the same goal and that is to keep Vio at Wolves.
"He is happy and settled there and if they can give him a contract similar to the one he had when he joined the club then he will be very happy to stay.
"There has been strong interest from other clubs, particularly from Bolton in the past few days, but we have told them we are not talking to anyone else at the moment.
"But if we can't sort something out with Wolves by the end of Monday then we will start talking to other clubs."
 

3rd June 2004

Megson Targets Ganea

West Brom manager Gary Megson lost out on signing Paul Dickov, who opted to sign for Blackburn and has now set his sights on Wolves striker Vio Ganea.
Ganea has been offered a two-year deal at Molineux, but he knows he will again have to play a supporting role behind Carl Cort and Henri Camara, while Megson can offer him the chance of regular football.
Ganea's family have settled in well in the Wolverhampton area and they will not have to uproot if Ganea opts to link up with Megson.
Andy Cole has been another Megson target but the striker's wage deal at Blackburn would mean him having to take a big cut to join Albion.

2nd June 2004

Gray Signs New Contract

Coach Stuart Gray has agreed a deal that will keep him at Molineux until the summer of 2006. The contract will be signed over the next few days following talks with the club that have taken place over the last few weeks.
Stuart joined Wolves in December to link up once again with manager Dave Jones, having previously worked together at Southampton.

Dave Jones said on WOW: “I’m pleased that Stuart has agreed to stay with us. I know that he has enjoyed himself here over the past few months and I know, from things that he has said, of how determined he is to help us get back up.”

Stuart added: “Relegation was a bitter pill to swallow and now my biggest interest is to play my part in getting us back into the Premier League.
“Wolves is a fantastic club with great support. I’ve fully enjoyed working here and was very happy when I was offered the opportunity to stay.
“I believe we have the nucleus of a good team and, with one or two additions, we should be in with a good chance of bouncing back. That is certainly what everyone at Molineux is aiming for.”

Chief executive Jez Moxey said: “I think that it’s important to have a settled coaching staff as well as a settled playing staff if we are to achieve our target of regaining Premiership status at the first attempt.
“Therefore, I see this signing as an important piece of the jigsaw puzzle.”

Butler Wants Two-Year Deal

Dave Jones has again been warned that he could lose his battle to keep influential defender Paul Butler at Molineux.
The 31-year-old is out of contract at Molineux this summer and is looking to secure a new two-year deal.
But Wolves have only offered him a 12-month deal that could mean them losing a player that boss Jones feels will be vital in their bid to get back into the Premiership.
Jonathan Barnett, the player's agent, has told Jones that Butler is attracting interest from a string of other outfits. Barnett refused to give details of the clubs looking to sign Butler but relegated Leeds are known to be interested.

1st June 2004

Tour News

Wolves opposition for their Norwegian summer tour has now been finalised.
Tromso who are currently top of the Norwegian Premier League, will provide be the first of the three games. The out of town exhibition match will take place at Nordreisa which is a 15 minute flight from Tromso, on Saturday 17th July with a 7pm kick-off.

Next are Bodo/Glimt who were runners-up in last season’s Premier League that will be played on Monday 19th July with a 7pm kick-off.

The last game will be on 21st July, against Oslo based Lynn who are currently fifth in the Premier League.

One more reserve friendly has been announced against Nuneaton, it will be played on Thursday 22nd July. 

Stadium Update

Wolves have started work on Molineux to get it ready for next season, the pitch is one of the first areas to receive attention.
The top layer of soil has been removed from the surface and special attention is being paid to the damp patches before the entire area is re-seeded.