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All the News from around Molineux

31st May 2000

Molineux Pitch Improvements Start

Much needed work to improve the pitch at Molineux has started to get Molineux ready for next season. The turf has been removed and work is currently being carried out to improve the drainage problems.
Ever since Molineux was rebuilt there have been problems with the pitch and the club is now determined to resolve the difficulties once and for all.
Manager Colin Lee has expressed his concern at the state of the pitch on a number of occasions since his arrival at the club and the surface was extremely waterlogged several times during last season.

30th May 2000

Demand for season Tickets

Despite the unrest currently hitting Wolves, fans have been queuing for season tickets at Molineux.
Manager Colin Lee complained he had been blocked by his board from making much needed new signings for 2000-2001.
And the directors countered by saying money was available for the manager's team rebuilding programme, despite the arguing going on behind the scenes, supporters have been quick to buy tickets for the coming season.
Tickets for the new season went on sale for the first time over the weekend and more than 400 were sold.
That was certainly a good start, reported Wolves ticket and membership manager Lynne O'Reardon. We sold 327 tickets on the first day of business last year and we have beaten that figure easily.

29th May 2000

Conner Wants More From the Youth Team

Reserve team coach Terry Connor has revealed that next season he wants more from the young professionals coming up through the club's ranks.
Connor feels the current crop of youngsters have the potential which could see them follow in the footsteps of the likes of Robbie Keane, Carl Robinson and Ryan Green, after his first year in charge of the second team.
But to turn that promise into a reality in years to come he wants the youngsters to work even harder than they did in their "foundation year."
One player in particular, who has the ability to go all the way is Northern Ireland youth international Gordon Simms.
The defender's last season was cut short by a stress fracture of the spine, which Connor believes may have been the result of overplaying.
Connor said: "We have to be careful with players like Simmsy, and Jo Lescott and Shane Tudor - that we don't burn them out too quickly and not give their bodies the chance to grow into strong young men.
"It's a question of getting the players right and getting ready to move on without overtaxing them."

28th May 2000

Robinson Hopeful for Start

Carl Robinson is looking forward to the start of his Welsh international career. He was an un-used substitute in Wales recent games against Finland and Brazil. Robinson admitted: "I was disappointed not to come on and play in the Millennium Stadium - the atmosphere's magnificent."
Robinson is hopeful of a more significant role against Portugal, and said: "Like Brazil, Portugal have got very talented individuals in Luis Figo, Rui Costa and the two Pintos.
"Marking players like that presents a great challenge, and I want to test myself against opposition of as high a standard as I can.
"With Wolves, I look forward to playing Premiership clubs in the cups or against players who have come down from the Premiership.
He added: "Playing Arsenal twice and coming up against Emmanuel Petit was something that stood out."

Mike Stowell Drops Ticket Prices

Mike Stowell's testimonial against Aston Villa is set for a big crowd as he has slashed the price of the tickets against the beaten FA Cup finalists for the game at Molineux on Sunday July 30.
The 35-year old says he would prefer to have a big turn-out at Molineux for his big day rather than swell his own coffers.
Stowell said: "You only have one special day like this in a lifetime.
"The supporters have been tremendous to me for more than 10 years and one of the ways I can say thank-you to them is by giving them value for money.
He added: "I hope people will come here and have a great day in a super atmosphere, not go home thinking they have been overcharged."
Ticket prices for the game have not yet been confirmed, it is thought they will be set well below normal league admission rates.

27th May 2000

Wolves Stars to Return to Molineux

Wolves have announced that they have arranged two Molineux pre-season friendlies against Premiership Teams. Both matches are expected to feature a number of ex-Wolves favorites.
Coventry City, featuring Robbie Keane and Steve Froggatt are to visit Molineux on Wednesday July 26, kick-off 7.45pm.
Glenn Hoddle will be bringing his Southampton side featuring Paul Jones, Dean Richards and Chris Marsden, to Wolves on Saturday August 5th, kick off 3pm.
Wolves have said admission prices for both games will be set at levels well below normal league prices.
Adult tickets for the Southampton game are expected to be around £10, while adult admission for the visit of Coventry are expected to be between £11 and £15.

Ward to Move on?

John Ward is being linked with a move to Notts County although County say they have not been in contact with Ward about taking over at the helm at Meadow Lane. But the recent developments at Molineux when the Wolves directors stopped the signing of Paul Williams and David Burrows from Coventry could have thrown a doubt over Ward's future at Wolves.
Boss Colin Lee and Ward had put in a lot of work to strengthen the Molineux squad for next season's promotion push. Also the board ruled they could not re-sign Scott Taylor and Steve Sedgley who were both out of contract at Molineux.
Ward and Lee were both bitterly disappointed by the developments and they feel being forced to field a weakened line-up next season will damage any future dreams they have of moving on in management.

Curle Leaving Molineux

Keith Curle looks certain to tell Wolves over the Weekend that he is leaving Molineux to start his managerial career as player-coach at Bramall Lane. Curle took over Wolves reserves for a short time but that position was taken away from him when Terry Connor joined Wolves. 36 year old Curle is ready to accept the offer from Sheffield United.

I'm off on my holidays!! No updates for a week!!

19th May 2000

4 Offers for Harvard Flo

There has now been four offers for the out of favour striker, two english, a scottish and a Scandinavian club but Colin Lee is reluctant to name them.

Burrow's and Williams to be new signing?

Coventry's David Burrow's could be on his way to Molineux this summer, Boss Colin Lee has been an admirer of the Coventry star for a while and it has been an open secret that Lee wanted to bring the defender to Molineux.
Burrows, who admits to being a Wolves fan, is out of contract with City in the summer says he will make a decision in the next few weeks after expressing a reluctance to sign a new deal at Highfield Road.
Also Coventy's Paul Williams has emerged as a possible replacement in the centre of defence for Keith Curle.
The 29-year old Williams is currently mulling over a new deal to stay at Highfield Road but the prospect of first team football at Molineux could persuade him his future lies at Wolves.
If skipper Keith Curle decides to join Sheffield United this summer Colin Lee could have a gap to fill in the defence.

18th May 2000

Players Linked With New Clubs

Paul Simpson has been linked with a move to Walsall, Colin Lee has given him the chance to move from Wolves on a free transfer and Simpson who was on loan at Walsall last season wants fist team football. Also Wolves have had a offer for striker Harvard Flo, it's thought to have come from Dundee Utd who are looking to find a permanent strike partner for Jim Hamilton.

17th May 2000

Branch Recovering

Micheal Branch is recovering following his recent Hernia operation, he was in the treatment room on Tuesday for a check by the physio and should be ok for pre-season training.

Lee Wants 4 New signings

Colin Lee is trying to make 4 close-season signings and needs permission from the Board. Two of the signings are Steve Sedgely and Scott Taylor who are out of contract. Colin Lee is not expecting a lot of money, but has identified 2 Bosman Free transfers. The management team are also expecting to have longer contracts given to them, Colin Lee, John ward and Terry Conner have a year left on there current contracts but the directors should be confirming the longer deals.

16th May 2000

New Ticket Prices Announced

No Increase for Juniors

Concessionary matchday prices for senior citizens and students also remain unchanged, and all concessions are reduced by £1 in the John Ireland Upper.

There will be a £1 rise on the cost of adult matchday tickets. A ticket in the Jack Harris or Stan Cullis Stands will increase from £13 to £14, while a seat in the Billy Wright Upper Centre goes up from £18 to £19.

The change in cost for season tickets reflects the £1 increase on individual adult matchday tickets, and the freeze on concessionary admission.

However, the cost of a season ticket will be lower than last season as, unlike in recent years, it will not include the first two cup games - traditionally the matches least likely to be attended by season ticket holders. The club has promised to make these cup fixtures as keenly priced as possible, if they can get agreement from the opposing team.

The price of an adult season ticket in the Jack Harris and Stan Cullis Stands changes from £249 to £240 (under 18s and senior citizens £185 to £170). A similar ticket in the Billy Wright Upper Centre changes from £355 to £345 (under 18s and senior citizens £235 to £216).

15th May 2000

Keith Curle is said to be considering an offer to join Sheffield United as a player-coach

Curle is still under contract for another year at Molineux, but a clause in the agreement allows him to leave on a free transfer if he wishes.
Blades boss Neil Warnock met Curle on a coaching course and moved for him soon after taking charge at the Lane in December. Neil Warnock is working to a tight budget and will be forced to drop his interest if Curle prices himself out of United's range.
It is understood that Premiership new-boys Charlton are also preparing to make Curle an offer

Bully's Future

Steve Bull could be moving away from Molineux to start a career in football management, he has already passed his UEFA B coaching certificate but he has to start coaching senior players to win his full certificate.
Bull said: "I am now considering my next move but I know it will have to be away from Wolves."
His Molineux contract ends next month, and says a move is vital to gain the necessary experience. But he says that one day he intends returning to Wolves to fulfill his ultimate dream of becoming club manager.

14th May 2000

Pre-season Tour Announced

Colin Lee has confirmed that Wolves will make a pre-season tour of Ireland this summer, with other dates due to be announced shortly.
The Irish tour takes place from July 15 to July 22, and includes games against Waterford and Cork on July 17 and 19, and Kilkenny on the 21st of the month.
Wolves will also play Aston Villa in Mike Stowell's testimonial game on Sunday, July 30, with other pre-season dates set to be announced in the next few days.
The club's reserve side play at Nuneaton Borough on July 27, in the Shropshire Cup at Shrewsbury on August 1 and have a game at Worcester on August 7.

12th May 2000

Colin Lee has vowed to fight the charge of misconduct slapped on him after his banishment from the dugout at Bolton.
Colin Lee intends to fight the issue all the way and said: "The referee's report says I swore but that is not the case.
I may have been a bit aggressive in what I said to him but that is all, I will not let this matter rest." Lee was ordered into the stands by referee Kevin Lynch after he complained Wolves should have been awarded a penalty when Michael Branch was fouled by Mike Whitlow.
The manager was also angry when the referee blew the final whistle just seconds after Wolves were awarded a free-kick - from which Scott Taylor scored.

Flo Won't Go

Despite being put on the transfer list Wolves Striker Haavard Flo says he will see out the remaining year of his contract at Wolves. Colin Lee has made it clear Flo is surplus to requirements at Molineux. Flo has been told he is fifth in the pecking order and is not part of any future plans at the club. But Flo, who has already rejected the chance to join a Danish club since being put up for transfer said: "I can assure you I will be staying with Wolves. My contract still has a year to run and I will be here for my last year." Angry Lee says Flo will not train with the first team next season and will not be in the squad who travel to Ireland for the club's pre-season tour. Lee said: "It won't look good on his CV if he goes through a whole season without playing, and if I had the years ahead of me that he does, I would want to move somewhere and play in someone's first team."

11th May 2000

Paul Simpson has been transfer listed after the lack of opportunities in the first team

The 33 year old has asked for a move, and the manager has said he would allow him to move on a free if it suited both parties.
Lee said: "Paul has expressed the wish to join a club where he can play on a regular basis in the first team. I can understand just how he feels."
"There is no point in him staying here if he is not going to get a game."

Mark Jones to go on free transfer

Wolves are to give a free transfer to striker Mark Jones when he recovers from injury but he will not leave Molineux until he has fully recovered from the knee surgery that kept him out of much of the season, so that he can get fit and prove himself and find a new club.

New Contracts to 6 youngsters

New one year deals have been offered to Reserve midfielders Keith Andrews and Seamus Crowe who are both out of contract in the summer. Striker Colin Larkin has had his contract extended by 12 months, it was due to end next year. Jermaine Easter has been given a one year contract and Paul Loughlin and JJ Melligan have been given 6 month terms.

Colin Lee added that none of the youngsters have been given pay rises so the ones out of contract, are free to leave if they wish.

Branch and Tudor go to Hospital

Wolves striker Micheal Branch and midfielder Shane Tudor went to hospital today for hernia operations, both had been suffering with the problem for the last weeks of the season, they both now face a 6 week recovery period. Colin Lee is confident they will be ready for pre-season training in July.

Green off to Norway for the summer

Ryan Green is going to play in the Norwegian summer season, as Colin Lee tries to improve the youngsters all round game. Also he's been selected to play for the Welsh Under 21's in a mini tournament in Northern Ireland from May 28th to June 3rd.