News Index

All the news from around the internet, or gossip emailed to me from fans. Updated daily

30th November 2000

Reserves Draw

Wolves reserves started of well gaining a 2-0 lead but then had to settle with a draw against West Brom reserves last night.
after just four minutes Wolves opened the scoring, John Melligan hit home after good work from Robert Taylor, Melligan was a late replacement for Andy Sinton who tweaked a calf muscle in the pre-match warm-up.
Then in the 13th minute Taylor struck a terrific shot from 18 yards that West Brom keeper Chris Adamson could only palm away, the ball flew into the path of Sami Al-Jaber six yards out and he made no mistake from to make it 2-0.
But Albion reduced the arrears a minute before the breakand then levelled the score in the 69th minute.

Trialist's on Show

Wolves are giving trials to Rhyl players Lee Trundle (striker) and James Brewerton (defender).
Trundle is in top form for Rhyl and has scored an impressive 14 goals in eight matches, while Brewerton has also turned in some hard working displays for the League of Wales premier club.
Both players where in action in the reserves clash against West Brom last night.
24 year old Trundle took over at half-time from Robert Taylor, and he caused enough problems for the Albion defence to persuade the watching Wolves boss Colin Lee to have another look at him.
Brewerton, meanwhile, was solid in the heart of the Wolves defence.

Injuries Update

Both Sami Al-Jabar and Robert Taylor returning from injuries, played and impressed in the reserves draw against West Brom on Wednesday evening.
Sami Al-Jaber scored one of the goals, and Robert Taylor had a hand in both Wolves goals.

29th November 2000

Villa Interest?

Villa boss John Gregory could be preparing to make a bid for Lee Naylor, Gregory was a spectator when Wolves beat Grimsby at Molineux just over a week ago and then last weekend Villa's chief scout Ross McLaren watched Naylor once again as Wolves drew 2-2 at QPR.
Wolves boss Colin Lee has already stressed to his directors he will recommend them to ignore any interest in the England Under-21 defender Naylor. But, if Villa come up with the right money, Wolves will find it hard to resist.
If promising young Lee Naylor is sold to a Premiership club it will be a major disappointment for fans who already feel let down by the big money sales of Ade Akinbiyi, Robbie Keane and Dean Richards.

Defender Linked

Wolves have been linked with a move for 22-year-old Brighton defender Matthew Wicks who is rated at around the £500,000 mark.
Wolves boss Colin Lee has had Wicks watched in recent weeks and with money to spend to strengthen his Molineux squad, he could opt to move in with a firm bid for the player.
Wicks is the son of former Chelsea defender Steve, he has helped Brighton to move into the promotion race this season with a string of determined displays.

28th November 2000

Youth Team Draw

The Wolves youth team held Stoke City to a goalless draw in the FA Youth Cup tie at the Britannia Stadium on Monday evening. The replay will be at Molineux next Tuesday to decide who is going to progress to the fourth round of the competition.

Wolves Youth Team: Kerr, Fitter, Tower, Gilmore, Downs, Coleman, Danks, Clingan (Clarke 84), Ward, Dickson (Walters 34)(Clark 89), Morrow.
Unused subs: Solly, Jones

Wolves manager Colin Lee has admitted to making a cheeky bid to bring out of favour Inter Milan Striker Robbie Keane back to Molineux on loan, but he was told that Keane would be not be leaving Italy.
Speculation has linked the Republic of Ireland star with a host of Premiership clubs, since his £13m move to Serie A began to turn sour.
Lee said: "We have a lot of injuries and he's not getting a regular place in the Inter side. But they were adamant he wasn't going anywhere."

QPR: Defender Chris Plummer has returned to full training following his ten week lay-off after breaking his leg, but will not be fit enough to face Wolves.
Ian Baraclough suffered a knee injury on his return to action against Huddersfield last weekend and will miss out.

Wolves: Manager Colin Lee continues his search for a striker, with Titi Camara still in the frame, but it is unlikely there will be a new addition in time to face Rangers.
Robert Taylor is back in training after his latest fitness problems but is not yet ready for a return to action.

New Striker Update

Wolves manager Colin Lee is hot on the trail of a foreign star that he is hoping might be signed in time for tomorrow's game at QPR. The player is believed to be a 24 year old Albanian born striker Stefki Kuqi.
He has 14 caps for Finland and plays for Jokerit in Helsinki. He finished last season as top scorer in the Finnish League with 18 goals from 32 matches.
Lee is also still hoping to persuade Liverpool's Titi Camara to join Wolves on loan.

Mohamed Camara signing?

Wolves are on the brink of signing Mohamed Camara, who has been on loan at Molineux from Le Havre since the start of the season. Boss Colin Lee was said that won't affect the future of the in-form Lee Naylor. Camara is poised to sign a two and a half year deal for a nominal fee.
Colin Lee Said "We've been negotiating with Mohamed for a while now,"
"He's worked hard since he's been here and he was superb for the reserves against Birmingham on Wednesday.
"He's still got some rough edges, but he¹s very fit and energetic.
"Good left-backs are not plentiful and he will be a good acquisition for us."
Lee was quick to add that this doesn't affect the position of Naylor who is catching the eye of Premiership clubs and Wolves are to reward Naylor's coming-of-age as a first-team player with a new long-term contract.

Lee Issue's Challenge

Colin Lee has issued Mike Stowell with a challenge after the long-serving keeper said he doesn't want to spend the rest of his career in the reserves, after missing out on first team action for a year.
"I don't expect any player who is not playing to be happy," says Lee. "Mick hasn't been in the team (other than the Worthington Cup game at Grimsby) but he knows he has to push Michael Oakes.
"He lost his place a year ago, not directly because of his ankle injury, but I do think that the problem was affecting his game.
"Although he's not seen first team action for 12 months, he has been injured for a large part of that.
"I picked Mick for the game against Grimsby and we lost 3-2. All I can do is pick the best person for the match at the time and at the moment Oakes is doing enough to justify keeping his position."

In response to many questions posed recently regarding the financial structure and operation of Wolverhampton Wanderers, the club issued the following guide to clarify certain issues in Tuesday evening's match programme.

*Sir Jack Hayward acquired Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club (1986) Ltd in 1990 for around £2m via a company he had set up called WW (1990) Ltd. He funds the football club through WW (1990) Ltd.
*Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council, not the club, own the freehold of Molineux, which is leased by the council to Wolverhampton Wanderers Properties Ltd at a peppercorn rent per annum on a lease which will not expire until 2117.
*Wolverhampton Wanderers Properties Ltd was incorporated in 1991 specifically to hold the long leasehold interest in Molineux. A sister company to the football club, Properties Ltd is wholly owned by WW (1990) Ltd, except for one 'B' share which is held by the Council
*Molineux Stadium was redeveloped in Wolverhampton Wanderers Properties Ltd at an initial net cost of around £16m, again funded by Sir Jack via WW (1990) Ltd.
*The football club (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (1986) Ltd) pays rent of £100,000 per annum to Wolverhampton Wanderers Properties Ltd for the use of the stadium, primarily to comply with VAT legislation. However, this money never leaves the group and is used to fund the maintenance of the stadium.
*Sir Jack Hayward's total funding of WW (1990) Ltd is around £45 million. This has been in CASH, not in guarantees to loans from other sources but in hard, physical cash.
*No interest has ever been paid to Sir Jack on any of this £45 million investment.
*Sir Jack receives no salary or expenses whatsoever from any group company.
*The cumulative operating and transfer activity losses of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (1986) Ltd are around £26 million, the figure Sir Jack has referred to recently which, in addition to the stadium, other capital expenditure, and the original acquisition, accounts for his £45 million investment.
*Despite these losses, the transfer revenues raised from the sale of Robbie Keane and Ade Akinbiyi have been re-invested in full in player transfer fees and wages, except for the element currently earmarked for the Sami Al Jaber option to purchase.
*It is projected that the losses for the Group, in respect of the year to 31st May 2001, will be in the order of £1.8million.

Nonsense Reports

Wolves' chief executive, Jez Moxey, has described as 'utter nonsense' a newspaper report that Hibernian boss Alex McLeish was bound for Molineux.
The story, in a Sunday newspaper, said that should present Molineux boss Colin Lee lose his job, then McLeish was the club's number one target.

Warning From Boss

Colin Lee has demanded more from his strikers after refusing to put the defeat at Blackburn on Saturday down to mere bad luck.
The Molineux front-men, who have produced just one goal in the last three games, have been told that they must start finding the target.

Team news

Blackburn: Rovers captain Garry Flitcroft serves a one-match suspension and will be replaced in midfield by either Jason McAteer or Lee Carsley.

Wolves: Colin Lee's injury list is as long as ever, with the possible exception of George Ndah, who may be fit to start after coming on as an 11th minute substitute last weekend.
To add to Lee's woes, midfielder Simon Osborn serves a one-match suspension. Ludovic Pollet is fit to play after having four stitches in a facial wound suffered against Palace.
New loan signing Paul Butler should play in defence alongside Ludovic Pollet and Lee is hopeful of concluding another transfer in time for the trip to Ewood Park.

Wolves Striker Haavard Flo is making slow but steady progress following an operation on his knee late last summer. He's still several weeks away from a comeback he has earmarked early in the New Year as his target.
It was decided that an operation was the only solution to the problem of the tendonitis condition in his knee that had ruled him out of several games last season.
Flo Said: "It's hard to get back and recover from injury like the one I had, but the operation was successful."
"It's after the operation that the hard work comes in. It takes a long time and you have to be focussed on your work. If you don't do that, then you have no chance of coming back."
"When they diagnosed that I'd got 'Jumpers Knee' or Patella Tendonitis, I knew it would be a long way back. When you come into the ground every day and work by yourself, it's mentally quite hard. My progress now is pretty good though, and I hope to be back, fully fit, around Christmas and the New Year."

Wolves boss Colin Lee has promised that lack of cash and chronic injury problems will not halt his efforts to get Wolves away from the bottom of the First Division.
After yesterday's vote of confidence from the club's boardroom, Lee has spent hours on the phone trying to bring new players to the club in time for Saturday's difficult game at Blackburn.
The manager has been warned that, while the board are prepared to support his efforts to improve the team, there is a limited amount of cash available to spend.

Today the Wolves board were locked in an emergency meeting as they tried to get to grips with the growing crisis at the club.
Saturday's angry scenes outside Molineux after the 3-1 defeat left Wolves in 20th place, unnerved club chairman Sir Jack Hayward and brought a call for immediate action.
The Wolves benefactor is due to fly back to the Bahamas late tonight and seems determined to make a start on sorting things out before he leaves.
Chief executive Jez Moxey was holding a Press conference this afternoon to map out the club's next step.

Angry scenes surrounded Molineux in the wake of the defeat against Crystal Palace.

Sir Jack Hayward, together with chief executive Jez Moxey, tried to answer calls to go out and speak with the massed fans - but was ordered back inside by stewards as the mood among some sections of the crowd became aggressive towards him.

"I wanted to go out there and talk to them," said the chairman at a press conference given later.

"I told Jez that I wanted to shake their hands and ask them what they wanted us to do.

"But some of them pushed forward, started spitting and swearing and the club stewards made me come back inside."

In response to a question as to how the 'sack the board chants' had affected him, the 77 year old owner said: "It hurts like hell.

"There is nothing the board haven't tried to do. We gave the manager the money from the sale of Robbie Keane, plus a million more. The offer for Ade Akinbiyi was too good to refuse, and the manager approved the sale. The majority of that money has been spent, or will be if we sign Sami Al Jaber.

"How can they think we are happy to stay where we are. It's one of the virtues - not a draw back - that this club has high expectancy. We want promotion just as much as the supporters do. I want to see Wolves in the Premier League and time is running out for me."

Inevitably Sir Jack was questioned on the immediate future of manager Colin Lee - who had been spared much of the anger from the hundreds of fans who stood for over an hour outside the main entrance to the ground.

"It's easy to sack a manager but not so easy to find a replacement. I think we have chopped and changed managers too often."

Jez Moxey added: "The only way out of this situation is by sticking together and looking forward - not backwards. We spend too much time here looking at what's happened in the past.

"There was a lot of emotion out there and I think it's important to try and look the supporters in the eye. In the circumstances it became impossible, but I hope that the fact that we tried to go outside will demonstrate to people that we do care and do try to listen to their views.

"No one should question the ongoing commitment of Sir Jack to this club. He is the one picking up the debts - interest free."

On the subject as to whether any more money from Sir Jack's personal fortune would be forthcoming for new players, the chief executive said: "We've tried to buy our way out before and it hasn't worked. However, if the right player comes along at the right price, and he wants to wear the Wolves badge on his chest with pride, then we will look at it. But only if he is the right player."

Angry Wolves boss Colin Lee confirmed his club would consider taking legal action against Crystal Palace striker Dougie Freedman if video evidence proved he had deliberately stamped on the face of defender Ludovic Pollet.

Wolves' French centre-half had to be stretchered off at Molineux for the second time in two weeks with blood pouring from a gash near his eye, a new wound that required four stitches.

Team news

Wolves: Midfielder Simon Osborn and Ludovic Pollet are confident of easing Molineux's spiralling injury curse despite spending part of the week on the treatment table.

Pollet was stretchered off to have stitches in a head wound against Watford two weeks ago, and Osborn will want to line up against his former club in he can pass a fitness test on his Achilles problem.

Andy Sinton and Temuri Ketsbaia are added to the list of walking wounded at Molineux, both have knee injuries and will miss out.

Inexperienced midfielder Keith Andrews, who has featured on the bench this season, has joined Second Division strugglers Oxford on loan.

Crystal Palace: Skipper Neil Ruddock (groin) is the only absentee for Alan Smith's side. Dougie Freedman and Jamie Smith are in contention for a Molineux return after featuring for Wolves inthe late 90s.

Transfer News

Colin Lee is looking towards the transfer market to ease Wolves problems, he's trying to sign Liverpool's Titi Camara on a temporary basis after Wolves have only scored 15 times in 16 League games.
Also it's reported that the Wolves boss is trying to sign 2 Scandinavian players. Lee said: "I am looking to bring over a striker and a central defender and, if they do well, they will be signed."
Lee also revealed one of the players would cost a small fee, while the other is available on a free transfer.

There was more bad news for Wolves boss Colin Lee, Temuri Ketsbaia had a scan on his right knee and it revealed that the midfielder will require keyhole surgery which will rule him out of the action for a minimum of three weeks.
But that is an optimistic outlook and, dependent on how severe the damage to the knee is, his time out could possibly run into months rather than weeks.
Physio Barry Holmes says: "Until Temuri has the keyhole surgery, it's impossible for us to say exactly how long he's going to be out for.
"He's been suffering pain in his knee and, unfortunately, the scan realised our worst fears that he'd need an operation"

Wolves are continuing their search for new blood as the club loose not only on the pitch but in the bank aswell, the club losses run at nearly £77,000 a game.
A slump in gates to 7,000 below the break-even figure has caused the shortfall and thrust extra pressure on manager Colin Lee to revive an ailing season.
Wolves need an average Molineux attendance of 25,000 to cover their costs - but at the moment gates are running at 18,000. With the average ticket price pitched at £11, that adds up to a £77,000 shortfall per game.The troubled start to the campaign has even left Wolves well short of their 'secondary' attendance target.The club had braced themselves to hit a more realistic 21,000 average home attendance which in itself would mean a £1m loss, but the current gates are running £33,000 short on that target.

Wolves young midfielder Keith Andrews is going to Oxford United for two days training with with a view to joining them on a month's loan.
Wolves reserve team coach, Terry Connor, stressed that the proposed move was only a temporary one and that Keith would then be returning to Molineux.
"The move is designed to help Keith further his footballing education and there will be no permanent move at the end of it," said Terry.
It's hoped that the move to Oxford will give him vital first team experience and some match practice as the reserve team have only played eight League games and two friendlies since the start of the term.

Wolves have announced a reduction in the price of season tickets which will become effective from Monday next, 13th November.
Tickets are available in all stands and will cover the remaining 15 games at Molineux in the present campaign following Saturday's meeting with Crystal Palace.

The new prices are as follows:

Billy Wright Stand (centre) £230 (adults) - £145 (juniors)
Billy Wright Stand (wing) £215 (adults) - £135 (juniors)
John Ireland Stand (upper) £195 (adults) - £115 (juniors)
Stan Cullis Stand £160 (adults) - £115 (juniors)
Jack Harris Stand £160 (adults) - £115 (juniors)
Family Enclosure (twin ticket) £250

Also, a reminder of the special deal that applies to the weekend's game with Palace when season ticket holders are entitled to a buy one get one free offer. Non season ticket holders can buy two and get one free.
The offer applies to the John Ireland Stand only and tickets, which are currently on sale, must be purchased in advance from the ticket office.

Wolves are to honour Stan Cullis the ex-player and managerial legend with a statue of him outside Molineux alongside the memorial to Billy Wright.
Cullis, now battling against ill health at his home in Malvern, but still revered across Wolverhampton and beyond as one of English football's finest ever managers, led Wolves to the League championship three times and the FA Cup twice.
And now Wolves chairman and president Sir Jack Hayward is planning a fitting tribute to the man who already has a stand named after him at Molineux.

Sir Jack said: "I feel that Stan should be honoured. I named a stand after him, and in the last 24 hours I have decided to have a statue made in his honour.

"I have contacted the sculptor James Butler, who made the statue of Billy, and he said he would be honoured and very pleased to do a statue of Stan Cullis.

"I have chosen a site on Waterloo Road alongside Billy in front of his stand and it will be made from the same stone."

Sir Jack added: "I hope it is as good as Billy's statue because we must honour the greatest manager Wolves have ever had.

"That is not putting down the success of Major Buckley before Stan, and maybe our present manager can have a statue in 20 years time!"

Crewe: A lack of firepower caused the Alex to lose to the only goal at Burnley in midweek, but they will have Rodney Jack and Paul Tait available again to face Wolves.
Jack missed the trip to Turf Moor with a dead leg, while Tait was suspended. Dave Walton faces a fitness test on his hamstring problem before Dario Gradi can name his side.

Wolves: Colin Lee has numerous injury problems still after a bruising recent schedule. However, former England international Andy Sinton could return after rib and calf injuries.
Kevin Muscat and Ludovic Pollet are major doubts with the knee and eye injuries which forced them out of the Worthington Cup tie at Fulham, while Robert Taylor is doubtful with his near-permanent calf niggle

Osborne Ban

Simon Osborn picked up his fifth yellow card of the season at Fulham on Wednesday evening and now the midfielder has a one match suspension.
Osborn fouled Louis Saha in the 25th minute of the Worthington Cup contest at Craven Cottage and he will now miss Wolves away trip to Blackburn on Saturday, 18th November

Wolves Receive Award

Wolverhampton Wanderers Community Development Programme and Birmingham Midshires have scored with a top national award for the Midnight League Programme. This was presented by Kate Hoey MP, Minister for Sport at a ceremony held at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

The idea for the Midnight League was conceived two years ago by Wolves Community Development Manager Tony Evans and Wolverhampton-based lender Birmingham Midshires jumped at the chance to sponsor the scheme in a three-year deal to the tune of £30,000. It was launched in March this year in the Heath Town and Bilston areas, where police information had identified young men in the age group 16-21 years as being at high risk of offending or becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.

Operating between the hours of 10.00 pm and midnight, the programme provides football training, competition and education, and has enjoyed great success, with no-one in this high risk category being involved in street crime or vandalism since joining the scheme. Full credit for this must go to the team from Wolves Community Development Programme who have worked tirelessly during cold, wet and sometimes snowy conditions.

Wolves legend Steve Bull will be back in action in a charity game on Sunday, 5th November, between some of the star names from Wolves days gone by and some of West Broms past players!
Kick-Off is at 1.30pm at Shifnal Town's ground in Coppice Green Lane. Admission is £3.00 for adults and £2.00 for children with all proceeds going to Club 2000 Sports and Leisure for the disabled - Telford and Shropshire's largest charity for children and adults with disabilities. The Match has been kindly sponsored by Claims Direct.
Amongst the other former Molineux stars hopefully playing is Andy Mutch who Bully always regarded as his favourite striking partner, Steve Daley, Willie Carr, Hughie Atkinson, Phil Parkes, Keith Downing, Gordon Cowans, Martin Patching, Mel Eves and Robbie Dennison.
So please do your bit for charity and at the same time give Bully and the lads a big cheer.