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29th June 2005

3 New Signings?

Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle is hoping to confirm three new signings before leaving for a training camp in Spain next week.
The squad are due to leave Molineux on Monday for a six-day training break near Jerez and Hoddle, who has already signed Rohan Ricketts and Jackie McNamara in the close season, is hoping his squad will be further strengthened by then.
But even if the targets fail to arrive in time for the trip to Spain, Hoddle is determined to secure their signatures sooner rather than later.

Hoddle said on WOW: "There's one player we're in for who might take time to get, but I believe he'd be worth waiting for.
"The three I'm looking at are across the age range with one young, one experienced, and one in the middle.
"I'd like to get them in and take them to Spain but I know these things can take time."

28th June 2005

Fixture Upate

Wolves first match of next season is to be shown live on Sky so the kick-off time has been changed.
The game against Southampton at the St Mary's Stadium will now start at 5.15pm on Saturday 6th August instead of the traditional 3pm.

Another two Wolves games are to be broadcasted by Sky and they will now take place a day earlier than scheduled.
The home match with Burnley will now take place on Friday 30th September with a 7.45pm kick-off.
Also the away game at Derby will now be played on Friday the 18th November again with a 7.45pm start.

Meanwhile club officials have confirmed that the first round Carling Cup-tie against Chester City at Molineux will be played on Tuesday 23rd August, with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Carling Cup Draw

Wolves will be playing Chester in the first round of the Carling Cup at Molineux in the week commencing 22nd August.
There will be two familiar faces returning to Molineux, former Wolves defender Keith Curle who took over as manager of Chester at the end of last season and striker Michael Branch who was Chester's leading goals scorer last season.

27th June 2005

Players Back

Wolves players returned to Molineux this morning for fitness checks and team meetings, they will then begin their pre-season programme this afternoon with a jog.
When they got together at Molineux following the seven-week break, assistant manager Stuart Gray likened the atmosphere to that of the first day back at school!
The squad will be training at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall this week, before heading off to Spain on Monday.

24th June 2005

Extra Holiday

Four Wolves players have been given an extra week's break.
Seyi Olofinjana, Seol, Henri Camara and new signing Jackie McNamara won't report back until Sunday 3rd July, while the rest of the squad returns for pre-season this Monday.

Boss Glenn Hoddle allowed them an extra few days after Olofinjana, Seol and Camara were in action for their respective countries during June. McNamara's season with Celtic didn't finish until the end of May, when the SPL club beat Dundee United 1-0 in the Tennents Scottish Cup.
Camara's season also finished late with the striker, who was initially on loan at Celtic and then moved south for a spell with Southampton, playing in the Saints' final game of their Premiership stay, on 15th May.

23rd June 2005

2005-06 Fixtures Out

Wolves first match of the 2005-06 season will be away against Southampton on the 6th August.

August
Sat 6th, Away - Southampton 15:00.
Tue 9th, Home - Crystal Palace 19:45.
Sat 13th, Home - Hull 15:00.
Sat 20th, Away - Leeds 15:00.
Sat 27th, Away - Cardiff 15:00.
Mon 29th, Home - QPR 15:00.

September
Sat 10th, Away - Luton 15:00.
Tue 13th, Home - Millwall 19:45.
Sat 17th, Home - Leicester 15:00.
Sat 24th, Away - Stoke 15:00.
Tue 27th, Away - Crewe 19:45.

October
Sat 1st, Home - Burnley 15:00.
Sat 15th, Away - Sheff Utd 15:00.
Tue 18th, Home - Derby 19:45.
Sat 22nd, Home - Preston 15.00.
Sat 29th, Away - Watford 15.00.

November
Tue 1st, Away - Brighton 19:45.
Sat 5th, Home - Norwich 15:00.
Sat 19th, Away - Derby 15:00.
Tue 22nd, Home - Sheff Utd 19:45.
Sat 26th, Home - Southampton 15:00.

December
Sat 3rd, Away - Ipswich 15:00.
Sat 10th, Away - Crystal Palace 15:00.
Sat 17th, Home - Leeds 15:00.
Mon 26th, Home - Reading 15:00.
Wed 28th, Away - Sheff Wed 19:45.
Sat 31st, Home - Plymouth 15:00.

January
Mon 2nd, Away - Coventry 15:00.
Sat 14th, Home - Luton 15:00.
Sat 21st, Away - Millwall 15:00.
Tue 31st, Home - Stoke 19:45.

February
Sat 4th, Away - Leicester 15:00.
Sat 11th, Home - Crewe 15:00.
Tue 14th, Away - Burnley 19:45.
Sat 18th, Home - Ipswich 15:00.
Sat 25th, Away - Hull 15:00.

March
Sat 4th, Away - QPR 15:00.
Sat 11th, Home - Cardiff 15:00.
Sat 18th, Away - Reading 15:00.
Sat 25th, Home - Sheff Wed 15:00.

April
Sat 1st, Away - Plymouth 15:00.
Sat 8th, Home - Coventry 15:00.
Sat 15th, Home - Watford 15:00.
Mon 17th, Away - Preston 15:00.
Sat 22nd, Home - Brighton 15:00.
Sun 30th, Away - Norwich 15:00.

22nd June 2005

Connor Turns Down Move

Coach Terry Connor has turned down the chance to return to one of his former club's as first team coach. Bristol City approached Waolves last week about taking Terry to Ashton Gate but, after having discussions with City's chairman Steve Lansdown, the Leeds-born coach decided to remain at Molineux.

Terry said on WOW: "I have spoken to Jez and to Glenn, and after having discussions with Bristol City I feel it is better for me to stay at Wolves.
"I have been a coach at City before but I didn't feel it was the right thing for me to do to return at this time.
"Glenn said that he wanted me to stay, which had a bearing on my decision making, and I informed City of my intentions on Monday.
"Taking all things into consideration it didn't seem to be the best thing for my career at this time."

Connor first arrived in Bristol in 1991, as a player, where he spent just over one season at Ashton Gate. He returned in the late 90s as coach to their new manager John Ward. When John moved to Molineux in 1999, Terry followed and enjoyed success as reserve and first team coach.

21st June 2005

Camara's Agent Predicts Transfer

Henri Camara's agent has predicted the Senegal striker will be leaving Molineux within the next week.
Wolves pre-season training begins next Monday but Willie McKay claims the 28-year-old, who spent loan spells at Celtic and Southampton last season after refusing to play for Wolves in the Coca-Cola Championship, will not have to report back.

McKay told the Express & Star: "I don't believe that will be the case.
"There are three clubs interested in signing Henri and I think he will be gone by the time Wolves' pre-season training begins."

Portsmouth and Blackburn are reported to be among the clubs interested in signing Camara but Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said no bids had been received as yet.
"Camara has made his position clear and it is best for everyone that he moves on," he said. "But he will not be sold for a deal which does not satisfy Wolverhampton Wanderers."

20th June 2005

Fans Asked To Be Patient

Chief executive Jez Moxey has urged Wolves fans to be patient over the club's softly-softly approach to close-season signings.
Boss Glenn Hoddle has so far signed Rohan Ricketts from Spurs and also pulled off the surprise capture of Celtic captain and utility player Jackie McNamara, and while Moxey said Hoddle was also on the hunt for more new faces, the club were content to bide their time.

Moxey said: "We're moving forward on various fronts, but it's not easy.
"It all takes time, especially when trying to procure players from clubs where they are under contract.
"But I think the fans understand we're doing everything we can."

18th June 2005

Wolves Won't Drop Miller Price

Chief executive Jez Moxey is refusing to budge despite continuing attempts from Sunderland to prise Kenny Miller away from Molineux.
The Black Cats are keen to add the 25-year-old Scotland international to their squad ahead of the new Premiership season, but Moxey insists he is going nowhere.
Sunderland have made an £800,000 bid for the transfer-listed striker, but Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle is keen to build his own side around Miller next term.

Moxey told the Express and Star: "Our situation with Kenny is unchanged. He has a year left and the manager has told him in no uncertain terms how much he wants him to stay.
"Yes, Kenny has expressed his wish to leave by remaining on the transfer list, but he has kept his head down and got on with the job he is paid well to do.
"His 20 goals for us next season, and what they could mean to us in terms of promotion, are more valuable than the money Sunderland are offering."

17th June 2005

New Shirt On Sale

Wolves fans queued outside the club shops this morning as the new all-black away kit went on sale at the Dudley Street and Molineux stores from 8am today. Both shops will remain open until 8pm tonight.
Over 200 shirts were sold inside the first hour and 1500 shirts had been pre-ordered over the course of the last month, breaking the club's record for previous pre-orders.

McNamara Angry At Celtic

Wolves new signing Jackie McNamara has accused Celtic of 'dragging his name through the mud' over his move to Molineux.
He ended his 10-year career with Celtic when he signed a two year contract with Wolves on Tuesday, claiming his former club had not worked hard enough to keep him.
Celtic hit back with the counter-claim that they had also offered McNamara a bumper two-year deal and a wage increase after he had held them to ransom.
But McNamara - who has already phoned Celtic boss Gordon Strachan to register his displeasure - has hit back.

He told the Daily Record: "My reputation is being damaged in the eyes of the Celtic supporters and I'm not having that.
"I told Gordon I was not going to be accused of being a money-grabbing mercenary who had moved the goalposts during contract talks when my move to Wolves has got nothing to do with hard cash.
"I'm going to Molineux for the same money I got in my last season at Celtic.
"I am very angry over the way I've been treated because I feel my name has been dragged through the mud to spare Celtic's blushes."

16th June 2005

Mix Up At Celtic

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan and chief executive Peter Lawwell were involved in an embarrassing mix-up over Jackie McNamara's move to Molineux.
Bhoys captain McNamara turned down the offer of a one-year deal at Parkhead to join Wolves on a two-year contract, although Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey claimed Celtic had "gone into overdrive" in order to keep the 31-year-old utility player.

Lawwell said: "Reports suggesting that Celtic had called Jackie to make some sort of offer to increase his money at the last minute are complete nonsense.
"I did speak to Jackie but purely to confirm Celtic's position and Jackie's understanding of it."

But Strachan later revealed: "All of a sudden, we got a call to say that if Jackie didn't get what he wanted he would be off.
"We reacted to it, even though squeezing the timescale was far from ideal, and agreed before his deadline to give him an increased offer."

14th June 2005

First New Signing

Celtic captain Jackie McNamara has joined Wolves on a two-year contract after turning down the offer of a one-year extension at Celtic and leaving Parkhead on a no-fee Bosman transfer.
With Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle in Spain on holiday, the final stages of negotiations were completed on the telephone with McNamara having given a verbal agreement to sign on Monday night.
The 31-year-old had a medical at Molineux this morning before being unveiled as a Wolves signing in the afternoon.

And he said: "I gave Celtic an opportunity to sign me to a new contract but I was a little surprised and disappointed it took them so long.
"It could have all been started before the end of last season and if we'd started talking then, I don't think I'd be with Wolves now, two weeks before the start of pre-season.
"But it took them a long time to make me an offer whereas Wolves made me feel important to their plans, they showed a great interest.
"I told Celtic I was leaving and they spoke to me as I travelled down today but I'd already given my word to Wolves.
"Once I gave my word to Wolves last night, that was it. I was coming down here for my medical and then I was going to sign.
"There's no ill will towards Celtic though.
"I have a great affection and always will have for the place and the people and the club itself.
"As I say I'm disappointed with the way it finished and it's a wrench to have left but I'm excited about coming to Wolves.
"I spoke to Kenny Miller and Colin Cameron, who I know through the Scotland set-up, and they spoke very highly of the manager and of the club.
"As far as I'm concerned, they are a Premiership club in the wrong division."

And Wolves executive Jez Moxey said: "We spoke to Jackie last night and we gave us his word he was going to sign.
"We then spoke to Celtic to tell them what we were going to do, as is the protocol in football.
"After that Celtic basically went into overdrive to keep him and even contacted him when he was travelling down for his medical.
"But Jackie gave us his word he was going to sign and that was good enough for us.
"Jackie was at Celtic for 10 years, gave them great service and we do see this as a massive coup for our club, signing him on a two-year deal

McNamara added: "The change of management at Celtic wasn't really a factor although I've only ever spoken to Gordon Strachan twice since he came in - and on neither of those occasions about my contract."

13th June 2005

Wolves React To Camara Claims

from www.wolves.co.uk:

Chief executive Jez Moxey has reacted to comments made by Henri Camara's agent Willie McKay, who has claimed that the Senegalese striker is being priced out of the market by Wolves.
McKay has said: "Wolves are asking £5m for Camara and nobody is willing to pay that. Three Premiership clubs are interested in him but at the moment he is being priced out of a move."

But the Molineux CEO explained: "It is not club policy to put transfer values on the heads of players.
"It would do the club a disservice to state the price for any player. If a player is for sale then we invite offers and then assess those that come in."
Camara left Molineux last summer, after just one season at the club, insisting that he wanted to play top flight football. He still has two years left on his contract at Wolves.
He spent all of 2004/05 on loan, to Celtic and then Southampton, and he is still officially a Saints player until his spell at St Mary's runs out at the end of the month.
If the striker hasn't made a move by then, he will be expected to return to Molineux for pre-season training.

12th June 2005

Wolves Want To Keep Lescott

Wolves want to offer defender Joleon Lescott a new long-term contract to head off interest from the Premiership.
The 22-year-old has agreed to hold talks with the club's chief executive Jez Moxey over a deal which would make him the best paid player at Molineux.
Lescott, who still has two years on his current contract, missed the entire season when Wolves were in the Premiership due to a career-threatening knee injury

10th June 2005

Ndah Given Chance

Striker George Ndah has signed a new one-year contract at Molineux despite being out injured since May 2003.
Ndah has been sidelined by chronic hamstring and thigh injuries which have kept him out for the whole of the last two seasons.
But now, after seeing his last 12-month contract expire, he has been given another chance to prove his worth by boss Glenn Hoddle.
The 30-year-old, a £1m buy from Swindon in October 1999, said: "I haven't played a lot of football in the six years I've been here but once Wolves said they wanted me there was no decision to make.

7th June 2005

Another Year For Ince

Paul Ince has signed a new one-year deal at Molineux, he finalised terms of his contract this morning.
Boss Glenn Hoddle is thrilled by the news. He said on WOW:  "I am delighted that Paul has put pen to paper. He has proved to me over the last year that he still has a lot to offer this club.
"He is a driving force for us and if we are to achieve promotion then we need men like him in the middle of the field.
"He gets other players to respond and it was important that we kept him so, I am over the moon that we have secured his signature."

The Guvnor signed from Middlesbrough in 2002 for one last season before retiring, but was persuaded to stay on for another go at the Premiership after leading the team to a play-off final win over Sheffield United.
Despite 2003/04 ending in relegation from the top flight, the former England captain decided to again delay retirement in the hope of helping Wolves find an immediate return.
He made 31 appearances and scored four goals last season but, unfortunately, Wolves finished just short of the play-offs. Nevertheless, the 37-year-old is still keen to stave off retirement and will return for 2005/06.

6th June 2005

Second Offer Rejected

Wolves have received and rejected a second bid from Sunderland for striker Kenny Miller.
The north east club made a seven-figure offer for the Scottish international last week. That was rejected and a slightly improved bid was dispatched to Molineux late on Friday.

Chief executive Jez Moxey said on WOW: "We received a second offer but it fell way short of our valuation of the player and we communicated this to Sunderland.
"The manager would be keen to keep Kenny for next season and unless a suitable bid is received then we are happy for him to stay and play for us next term."

3rd June 2005

Another Bid From Sunderland?

Sources in the north east suggest an improved figure might be presented to Wolves today from Sunderland for striker Kenny Miller.
They made a seven-figure bid for the Striker on Wednesday but it was immediately rejected.
*More to follow later*

2nd June 2005

Silas Out On Another Season Loan

Wolves midfielder Silas is going on another season loan in Portugal, this time to Belenenses. His contract at Molineux is due to expire next summer but he agreed to Wolves having a one-year option to extend his deal when he signed in July 2003.
Wolves originally paid Leiria £1mil for Silas with an extra £500,000 in add-ons and Belenenses have the option to buy at any time for £1.5mil.

Jez Moxey said on WOW: "The manager is happy to let Silas go on loan. Belenenses will be paying all of Silas' wages and the saving made will be available to Glenn.
"As part of the deal Silas has agreed to give Wolves an option to extend his contract by one year. This gives us the potential to secure a transfer fee for him in the future or to take him back.
"Glenn has seen him play but will have more opportunities to see him in action next season and make a decision as to whether he wants to include him in his squad or let him move on."
Jez also revealed that Boavista had expressed an interest in the player

1st June 2005

Miller Bid Turned Down

Wolves have confirmed they have turned down an undisclosed seven-figure offer from Sunderland for striker Kenny Miller.
The Scottish international is currently on the transfer list at his own request, he was top scorer at Molineux the last two seasons.

Chief executive Jez Moxey said: "We've been very pleased with Kenny's efforts over the past season, he worked hard and scored 20 goals.
"The cost of finding a 20-goal replacement would be far greater than what Sunderland have offered and furthermore, the cost to any Premier League club trying to buy a striker of Kenny's age, experience, international status and goalscoring abilities would be greater than what is now on the table.
"The manager's had meetings with Kenny, and the player has indicated he wishes to stay on the transfer list.
"We're aware he'll be out of contract next summer but unless we receive an acceptable offer, one that would enable us to buy a suitable replacement, we would prefer to keep him here and see him score goals for us next season.
"If he does that and helps us win promotion and becomes a Bosman player at the end of the season, then as far as I am concerned, that is better than accepting a cheap sum now."