News Index

30th June 2000

Call-Up Confusion Explained

Ade Akinbiyi will not be on international duty in April. The confusion surrounding the call-up by the Nigerian FA has been cleared up, and in the end it was Birmingham secretary Alan Jones who cleared up the mystery when he revealed the Nigerians wrongly believed that Adebola was a Wolves player.
The problems appeared when the Nigerian FA sent out a fax saying that they had called up Dele Adebola of Wolves, but Adebola plays for neighbouring Birmingham City, and the fax left both clubs wondering just who it was that was wanted by his country.

Fixtures Update

Wolves have announced three more changes to their fixture list for the coming season.
The visit of Alan Buckley's Grimsby to Molineux is to be moved back 24 hours to Friday October 6th so as to avoid clashing with the live screening on Saturday of England's World Cup qualifying game with Germany.
Meanwhile, Wolves trip to Fulham has been switched from March 24th to Sunday March 25th to avoid clashing with the Boat Race and finally the planned visit to Graham Taylor's Watford on Easter Monday will now be on Tuesday April 17th.

29th June 2000

International Call Up?

There is confusion at Molineux and Wolves are urgently trying to contact the Nigerian FA, to discover if Ade Akinbiyi is wanted for international duty.
The Wolves striker is understood to be in the Nigerian squad who take on Liberia in a World Cup qualifier a week on Sunday.
The confusion has arisen because reports from Nigeria say they have called up Dele Adebola from Wolves, but  Adebola plays for Birmingham City and now Wolves are bidding to solve the mystery of just which striker is wanted for the game.
They have had numerous problems in the past with the Nigerian FA and, on the latest issue, they say there had been no official contact regarding Akinbiyi.

28th June 2000

Wolves Miss Out

Wolves have missed out on summer target David Burrows, the 31-year-old has opted to join Birmingham City.
Burrows had been linked with a move from Coventry to Wolves for some time, but has agreed a deal at St Andrews.
It was believed that Blues had abandoned their interest in the former WBA and Liverpool full-back, but Trevor Francis decided that Burrows' experience could prove vital as his side go in search of promotion to the Premiership.

27th June 2000

Naylor Move Denied

Wolves and Liverpool have said there is no truth in the news that Lee Naylor is signing for Liverpool. Jex Mozey said on the official Wolves "It's news to me. There's absolutely nothing in it at all."

26th June 2000

Naylor Signing for Liverpool?

Lee Naylor is set to move to Liverpool in a deal worth two million pounds. Liverpool are set to pay an immediate payment of £750,000 and then pay Wolves another £1.25 million depending on appearances.
The England Under-21 international has reportedly been tracked by Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier for some time now and the deal could be done before the Premiership side return for pre-season training in a couple of weeks time. Naylor's chances of featuring in the Liverpool first team appear to be good with the left-back area the main cause for concern at Anfield.
Wolves need some much needed finances to begin their own rebuilding work and Colin Lee is set oversee the transfer when he returns from a family holiday.

Money to be Spent

Wolves boss Colin Lee is set to begin his summer team rebuilding at Molineux when he returns from holiday.
The Wolves board have hinted that the money raised from Lee Naylor's proposed move to Liverpool will increase the funds available to the Wolves boss.
David Burrows and Tony Dorigo have already been linked with a move to Molineux, as it becomes increasingly likely that the left-back role will have to be filled.
As yet it is unknown as to who else the Wolves boss is hoping to bring in but it is thought that a number of potential targets will be known in the next couple of weeks.

25th June 2000

Burrows Set to Sign

Defender David Burrows looks set to be playing at Molineux next season.
The experienced Coventry City left back is looking to sign for Wolves following talks with Colin Lee in the near future.
The player has expressed his interest in playing for the club next year and it seems only a matter of time before he puts pen to paper.
The 31-year-old former Liverpool and Everton player has been in contact with Birmingham boss Trevor Francis over a possible move but is said to favour playing for the Molineux outfit.

Bully Offered Job

Wolves legend Steve Bull has been offered the youth team coach job at Molineux. Hopefully he will pass on his goal scoring skills and commitment to the young players.

23rd June 2000

Wolves Live On Sky

Wolves will be starting the season a day late as the Sky cameras come to Molineux, Wolves v Sheff Wed will now kick off on Sunday 13th August at 12.30. Last season Wolves started a day late when they traveled to Main Road and beat Man City 1-0.

Wolves Reject Ward Approach

Wigan made an official approach to speak to John Ward about the vacant manager's job at the JJB Stadium and Wolves have rejected there approach.
The new Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey, said today he had informed Colin Lee and John Ward about the move. And, he added, with their full agreement, they had refused Wigan permission to make an approach.
Moxey said both Lee and Ward were totally committed to the job of winning promotion for Wolves next season.
Moxey said: "They each have a year left on their current contracts and Sir Jack Hayward had said he wants to offer them an extension."
He concluded: "When they return from their respective holidays I will be sitting down with them to discuss the finer details."

22nd June 2000

Burrows Still Interested

David Burrows has returned to the Midlands after a family holiday, and is still keen to link up with Wolves.
The Coventry City defender has already had talks with Birmingham City but he opted to delay his decision on a move to St Andrews until he heard again from Colin Lee.
The Molineux boss is currently on holiday, but he is regular contact with Wolves new chief executive Jez Moxey.
And Lee will certainly be pushing the Wolves board to have a change of heart on Burrows having blocked Lee's bid to sign the player a month ago.
The Wolves directors know they have got to act fast to spur flagging season ticket sales, and they could decide to get Burrows onto the books together with Scott Taylor who is also itching to sign a new contract with Wolves and has told them that they must come up with a new deal now or he will sign for another club.

Curle to Hold Talks With Manager

Wolves defender Keith Curle has promised he will not make a decision on his future until he has had another round of talks with Colin Lee.
The former England defender is wanted by Sheffield United as player-coach and Bristol City are reported to have him down to fill their managerial vacancy.
Lee has made it clear he wants to keep the experienced 36-year old in his Molineux squad, but Curle has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave if another job in football comes his way.
Curle though says he will not finalise the situation until he knows what the future holds for Lee at Molineux and until he has spoken to the manager.
Curle said: "I enjoy playing for Wolves and for Colin, but there are a few irons in the fire and I have a lot of thinking to do in the coming weeks."
Curle is going on a short break with Bramall Lane manager Neil Warnock who is an old friend.
And he says he will obviously learn more about the Sheffield United job but there will be no decision until Lee returns from holiday.

21st June 2000

Williams Moves to Reading

2nd Division Reading have completed the signing of Adrian Williams on a free transfer.
Mark McGhee brought Williams to Wolves in a £750,000 deal in July 1996, but an injury hit spell at the club meant he only made 36 appearances for Wolves.
He made more than 200 appearances for Reading in a previous spell at the club and has now returned, signing a three-year deal at the Madejski Stadium.
Royals boss Alan Pardew is delighted with his new recruit and said: "When he came from Wolves (on-loan) last season our results showed that he made a difference.
"His ability is beyond this level but his heart is at Reading and that's the sort of player I want to take this club forward," he added.

20th June 2000

Bully Job Offer?

Molineux hero Steve Bull's contract runs out at the end of this month, but Wolves are keen to keep him at Molineux and may be going to offer him the job of youth team coach, or something in public relations. Sir Jack Hayward said Wolves owe Steve Bull a lot if it hadn't been for him Wolves could be playing in the vauxhall conference league now.

Management Offered New Contracts

Wolves Manager Colin Lee, his assistant John Ward and coach Terry Connor are to be offered extensions to their Molineux contracts.
Sir Jack Hayward, the Wolves multi millionaire owner and chairman has confirmed new offers have been made. He said he had had talks with Lee before the Wolves manager flew off on his family holiday to Florida.
Lee had said he was very pleased with the outcome of the meeting and would be passing on the results to Ward and Connor.
Hayward added:"We are happy and they are happy. We want to stick with them because we feel they are the men to help us achieve our goal of playing Premiership football."
Lee and Ward had been concerned about their futures at Molineux after a block was slapped on their transfer dealings, but the future now seems a lot rosier for both men. 

Sir Jack Hayward has also made it clear he has no intention of selling his beloved Wolves, ending the rumours of the last few months.
He has a 100% holding in the club and the 77 year old multi-millionaire says he is as committed as ever to getting Wolves into top flight football.
He commented:"I am not selling and I am not moving on. My heart is still here and I will always support this club."
Sir Jack has ploughed over £30 million of his own money into the club and he has continued to pay around £100,000 into the Molineux coffers each week.

19th June 2000

Taylor May Stay

Further talks are to held with Scott Taylor with the aim to keep the midfielder at Molineux.
Manager Colin Lee was bitterly disappointed when the Wolves directors told him he could not re-sign Scott Taylor or Steve Sedgley.
But now there has been a change of heart at Molineux with the club wanting to keep Taylor in the squad.
First Division rivals Bolton and Blackburn Rovers were already interested in Taylor but Wolves now hope to snatch Taylor's signature.
New chief executive Jez Moxey is aiming to have talks with Barry Silkman, Taylor's agent, to try and clinch a deal.

Moxey Starts Today

Jez Moxey took over as Wolves new chief executive today and he's ready to make sweeping changes at Molineux.
Owner and chairman Sir Jack Hayward has promised Moxey full control of Wolves finances and while he is under orders to make the club more commercially viable, he will also have the power to sanction any new signings requested by Colin Lee.
Hayward told Moxey, "We are a modern club employing over 200 people and we have a turn over of £11 million and a player payroll of £5.5million. However, we have, over the last six years, lost something in the region of £30million. We must continue the work started under John Richards to become more cost efficient. We must balance the books."
Moxey has already hinted that the future at Molineux is bright and has told fans that they have no need to be concerned about the recent turmoil behind the scenes.
That could mean that Lee, Mark Ward and Terry Connor will receive the new contracts they were promised some weeks ago by managing director John Richards who resigned last week.

18th June 2000

Interest in Naylor from Derby?

Jim Smith, Derby County's manager is reported to be considering a move for Wolves wing-back Lee Naylor.
The Ram's boss was understood to have targeted Norwegian international Andre Bergdolmo to replace the departed Tony Dorigo at Pride Park, but that came to nothing and the Molineux based England U-21 international has now emerged as a prime target for the Rams' boss.

16th June 2000

Simpson linked with Northampton

Northampton Town have been linked with a move for Wolves midfielder Paul Simpson who's available on a free transfer after manager Colin Lee decided he had no future at the club.
Kevin Wilson is keen to add experience to his squad for the club's return to the Second Division, especially as he is short of players in the midfield department after his decision to release Sean Parrish at the end of last season.

Lee's Cash Plea

Wolves manager Colin Lee has sent out a plea to the Molineux board to make money available for new players next season.
Lee thinks he will only have 11 outfield players available for selection if he doesn't strengthen the side in the summer break.
The Wolves boss has not been able to attract any players to Molineux so far, having missed out on David Burrows and Paul Williams but it seems likely that Wolves will need at least eighteen senior professionals on the books if they are to challenge for promotion.
Lee believes he has to move fast to try and capture his prime targets before he misses out on them altogether.
The Wolves boss has already been told by the board that he cannot offer new contracts to Steve Sedgeley and Scott Taylor and it seems as though his resources are stretched to the limit.

15th June 2000

Progress on Injuries

Colin Lee will be boosted by the return of three players to full fitness when Wolves report back for pre-season training.
Striker George Ndah has now fully recovered from the broken leg he suffered playing his third game for Wolves last October, in the derby game against WBA.
Michael Branch is another striker on the mend, after undergoing much needed hernia surgery at the end of the season. The former Everton star will also be ready to strengthen Wolves promotion push next season.
Goalkeeper Matt Murray is also returning to fitness after being forced to miss much of last season because of a troublesome knee injury.
Also striker Mark Jones is making good progress from his knee surgery but he has already been told he will not be offered a new contract by the club.

14th June 2000

John Richards Quits Wolves

John Richards, the managing director at Molineux for two and a half years, has decided to leave Wolves. The club issued the following statement on Wednesday lunchtime:

'John Richards has today announced that he is leaving his post of managing director at Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of this week.Chairman and owner, Sir Jack Hayward, said: "I did all I could to persuade John to stay, but I have to regretfully accept his decision. "The board are sorry to be losing John. We genuinely thought - and I stressed to him - that he has a lot to offer in his role of managing director of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club."

John Richards, a former player at Wolves, was appointed managing director in November 97. He had been a member of the board for three years prior to that appointment.' The news came as a shock to the staff at Molineux and John's announcement comes just five days before the arrival of the club's new chief executive, Jez Moxey.

Curle Applies for Managers Job

Keith Curle is the latest to throw his hat into the ring for the vacant Bristol City manager's post.
At 36, Bristolian Curle is nearing the end of his playing career, although he reckons he could go on for another two seasons in the lower divisions.
He said: "I've always been interested in the job and I would pack up my things tomorrow if I was asked. I'd be available on a free transfer and prepared to play as well as manage."

13th June 2000

Lee not even thinking of selling Akinbiyi

Wolves manager Colin Lee has made it clear that Ade Akinbiyi is not for sale and laughed about reports that Portsmouth were preparing a £2.5million bid. Wolves paid £3.5million for Akinbiyi last year and Lee feels he is already in the £4million class.
Lee joked: "That kind of money would only buy one of Ade's legs."
He added: "I can understand the reports because Tony Pulis was manager of Bristol City when we bought Ade. But Ade has a key part to play in my plans at Molineux and he is most definitely staying."
The sale of Akinbiyi would have generated much needed funds but the manager says the striker will be leading his attack next season.

More Interest In Flo

Offers are pouring into Molineux for Norwegian international striker Haavard Flo says Wolves manager Colin Lee.
Lee transfer listed the 30-year old just before the end of last season after he fell down the pecking order at the club the boss saying that the striker had no further part to play at Wolves.
Lee confirmed: "There is certainly a lot of interest in Haavard, but I do not expect any developments until next month when the players report back for pre-season training."
Lee said clubs in England and Scotland had made inquiries about Flo while there have also been calls from the Continent.
The boss added: "So far we have had just one written bid but we expect more"
Wolves paid £700,000 when they signed Flo friom werder Bremen eighteen months ago and they will be looking to recoup much of the money.

12th June 2000

Portsmouth Interest In Akinbiyi?

Portsmouth manager Tony Pulis, is believed to be considering making a £2.5 million bid for Ade Akinbiyi.
Jez Moxey becomes Wolves new chief executive on June 19th and therefore transfer moves both to and from the club appear to be on hold until then.
Akinbiyi has played under Tony Pulis at both Gillingham and Bristol City, however Wolves manager Colin Lee is unlikely to want to lose the key striker.

Another Club in for Simpson

Port Vale have now joined the race to sign 33 year old midfielder Paul Simpson, who has Reading and Oxford United already interested in signing him.
A move to the Potteries would be ideal for Simpson who still lives in the Derby area. Colin Lee has told the player he has no part to play for Wolves and is available on a free.

11th June 2000

Flo Going?

Reports suggest that in a week's time Havard Flo could leave Molineux.
The 30 year-old wanted to remain at Molineux for another season to help Wolves' promotion push but the Norwegian is not in Colin Lee's plans.
Flo joined Wolves 2 season ago from Werder Bremen but has not scored enough goals to suggest he can fire Wolves to the Premiership next season.

10th June 2000

Sales Increase

Wolves are reporting an increase in season ticket sales compared with the same point last year.
Although no figures have yet been released, the club are so far pleased with the response.
Secretary Richard Skirrow said: "The sales are considerably up on the same number of selling days last year.
"The figures are showing a rise of more than 20 per cent so far."
The news may well come as a surprise to some, with Wolves so far this summer having a rather stormy time of it on the public relations front.
Season ticket holders are reminded that Saturday, June 17 is the cut-off date before seats that are un-renewed become available to other fans.

9th June 2000

Muscat Speaks Out

Wolves and Australia defender Kevin Muscat, has reacted angrily to criticism in the press regarding the decision of Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka to sit out certain matches for the Socceroos. The Wolves man told the Sydney Morning Herald:

"Rather than the same old people knocking the whole system, how about leaving the squad that we have alone and let us get on with it."

"What about the fact that it might open the door for someone else to step up - who knows who we might unearth?"

Kevin believes that every player should be left alone to make their own decisions as to whether or not they want to play for their country and if they need a break after a long domestic season:

"I've had a difficult season, I've played over 50 games with just three weeks off now.

"And it really is a time when you have to take a few weeks off and have a break.

"Every situation is different and everybody is different so you have to accept some of the decisions that have been made" he said.

The Socceroos drew 0-0 with Paraguay in Sydney, as they kicked off the first of a three match series of friendlies against the South Americans.

8th June 2000

Clubs Linked With Simpson

There is reported interest in Paul Simpson from his former club Oxford and Alan Pardew's ambitious club Reading where It is possible Simpson could link up with Adrian Williams, who is still tipped to join the Royals.
Northampton's interest in the surplus Wolves midfielder has now waned, with Kevin Wilson now pursuing other targets.
Simpson can walk away from Molineux on a free if he can get fixed up elsewhere.
He still has a year to run on his contract at Wolves but is keen to play regular first team football, something he has struggled to find at Molineux recently.

Sheffield Utd Still Waiting to Hear From Curle

Sheffield United are still waiting to receive a decision from Keith Curle over a possible switch to Bramall Lane. Curle would have to take a drop in wages to go to Bramall Lane, although he may be prepared to do that in order to get his foot on the managerial ladder.
After meeting the veteran centre-back on a coaching course last year Neil Warnock is keen to take Curle on as a player-coach. And the 36-year-old would add experience to the Blades rear-guard as well as strengthen Warnock's backroom team.
Curle has a clause in his contract allowing him to move for free if he receives an offer of a coaching role, but he is thought to have several options open to him at the moment.

7th June 2000

Jez Moxey's Pledge

Wolves new chief executive Jez Moxey has just returned from a family holiday in the USA and has pledged to bring strong leadership and a sense of direction to Wolves when he takes over in the next fortnight.
Moxey is determined to avoid any more of the errors in public relations that have blighted the club in recent weeks, saying:
"It's not right to say too much until I actually start at Wolves. But I would hope there will never again be the sort of confusion there appears to have been in the last few weeks.
"I'm sure that has been behind the bad publicity there seems to have been.
"A club needs strong leadership and direction, and I believe in telling the supporters what we're trying to do within the parameters that are in place."
Moxey leaves his post as Stoke chief executive at the end of next week to join the Wolves hierarchy, and the go-ahead for the signing of new players will have to wait until he is in place.
Moxey expects to have his work cut out on joining Wolves, and said:
"I don't officially begin at Molineux until the 19th, but I will probably be working for the club through the previous weekend. There is so much to be done.
"I'm currently helping tie up the loose ends at Stoke and would like to thank my present employers for allowing me to leave my contract early.
"Sir Jack Hayward personally telephoned the Stoke chairman, Gunnar Thor Gislason, and they agreed in the spirit of co-operation that I could go early."

6th June 2000

Corazzin Possible Target?

Carlo Corazzin, former Northampton Town striker has emerged as a possible transfer target for Wolves and Bristol Rovers.
Canadian international Corazzin was released at Sixfields at the end of May after manager Kevin Wilson decided not to offer him a new contract after the prospect of losing him for a large percentage of the season through his international commitments.
The former Plymouth Argyle and Cambridge United frontman is currently without a club.
Wolves were linked a couple of weeks ago and with the news that he is now actively looking for a club there could be some developments in the future.

Lee Waiting for Hearing Date

Wolves manager Colin Lee is waiting or the date of his FA hearing after his sending off during the May clash with Bolton.
Lee was ordered out of the dug out near the end of the 2-1 defeat at the Reebok Stadium following an altercation with referee Kevin Lynch, who had earlier turned down strong appeals from Wolves for a penalty.
Lee denies that he swore at the ref but does admit to a lively exchange.
The referee was involved in another controversial incident at the end of the game when he blew his full time whistle as a free kick landed in the Bolton area seconds before Scott Taylor headed home.
Lee awaits his personal hearing date when the referee will also be there to explain his actions.

5th June 2000

Management Awaiting Talks

Colin Lee is anxiously awaiting his first meeting next week with new Chief Exe Jez Moxey, the man in charge of shaping the destiny of Wolves.
Until the boss is able to meet with Moxey, when he returns from holiday, the staff at Molineux are in a state of limbo.
It seems that only the new Chief Executive has the ultimate power to determine not only the club's financial status but also Lee's own future at the club.
Moxey joins Wolves after working in a similar capacity at Stoke.

Curle May Go if Lee Leaves

Keith Curle may be another transfer casualty if manager Colin Lee is not offered a new contract.
Although the 36 year old defender is happy to see out the remaining 12 months of his contract, he has a clause allowing him to leave if he is offered a coaching role elsewhere.
Curle said: "It might not be so well-known that I can also leave if Colin Lee were to go. I enjoy working with him and I wouldn't want to stay if he left."
Sheffield United have already made their interest known offering him a player-coaching role at Bramall Lane this summer. 
Curle is probably not the only Wolves player who may feel the need to consider his future at the club if Lee were to go.
Colin Lee is extremely popular at Molineux, but the lack of funds at his disposal, is making the prospect of gaining promotion to Premiership, very difficult.

Youngster Gets International Call-up

Young Wolves striker JJ Milligan has been added to the Republic of Ireland's Under-17 squad for an international tournament in Lisbon.
Milligan gets his late call-up along with Barnsley's Michael Welsh, Notts County's Saul Deeny and Michael Keane of Preston.
The five join the travelling party after Nottingham Forest withdrew five of the six players they had in the original squad.
Already in Brian Kerr's group for the tournament are Wolves young guns Ken Coleman and Colin Larkin.
The Irish team will then play games against the USA, Norway and Portugal in the space of five days.

4th June 2000

County Disappointed with Ward

Notts County are said to be disappointed over John Ward's lack of communication after saying that he would be interested in becoming County's manager.
The Wolves assistant manager had stated that he could be interested in the role, after being considered at the time that Sam Allardyce was made manager, but no further contact was made with the County board, prompting County chairman Geoff Davey to say: "John has a very strong track record and as far as I'm concerned if he applied for the job he would be an extremely strong candidate. But the fact is that he hasn't applied and is still under contract at Wolves.
"If he did apply we would go about things in the right way, considering what has happened to us in recent weeks, but that is not an issue at the moment because he hasn't."
Notts County are set to interview the leading four or five candidates next week.

3rd June 2000

Cash Promised

Colin Lee is now more optimistic that he will be able to strengthen his squad this summer after a positive meeting with the Directors at Molineux. Rick Hayward, board member and son of owner and chairman Sir Jack Hayward, has said there will be money to spend this summer.
Hayward said: "The manager will have money to spend though I can't say exactly how much because we're bringing in Jez Moxey from Stoke and he's going to be in charge of many things including different ways to raise monies."
Regarding the management's long-term future at the club, Hayward said: "I've got tremendous faith in Colin and John. We had a great meeting and I can only say that I hope they'll be here for many, many years, getting us not only into the play-offs, but up into the Premiership which is our aim."
Colin Lee is now much happier with the situation and can look forward to being formally offered the contract extensions he and his management team were promised before the end of the season.

Flo Offer in Writing

Wolves have received a written offer from a Norwegian club for striker Haavard Flo who is said to be considering the opportunity to move back to his homeland. Last season he started in just 11 League and Cup games, and he was a substitute in a further 11and scored a total of four goals.

2nd June 2000

Charlton Could be Molineux Bound

Former Birmingham left-back Simon Charlton is being linked with a move to Molineux. Among the other clubs trying to sign him are his former team Huddersfield Town and WBA.
While he is disappointed that he was unable to agree a new deal to stay with Birmingham, he's still reasonably confident that he will quickly get fixed up with another club in the First Division.
The former Southampton defender said: "I have never worried about the situation. I have accepted what has happened and it is time to move on. Realistically, I am looking at moving to another First Division club. I can't see a Premiership club coming in although it would be great if one did. Left backs are in very short supply in this country and that is one of the reasons why I haven't worried. I have had a few sniffs from places but it is early and things are still very much up in the air. There is nothing official yet but it is definitely stronger than a rumour."
While Charlton would ideally like to stay in the Midlands, he has not ruled out moving away from the area. He added: "I have always said that I like it here, but it is all about what comes up. At the moment I couldn't turn down a good offer anywhere."

Muscat's Busy International Schedule

With the Wolves squad already low in numbers, Muscat's absence due to international commitments is sure to put Colin Lee's resources to the test after it was been revealed that Australia have as many as 30 international fixtures planned over the next 18 months, with Kevin Muscat central to coach Frank Farina's plans.
In a bid to boost the profile of soccer down under the demands from the Aussie national side on the Socceroo players is expected to be quite substantial, with fixtures being planned against England, Manchester United and Chelsea. 

1st June 2000

Stowell Testimonial is Confirmed

Aston Villa boss John Gregory is happy to bring his Aston Villa side to Molineux for Mike Stowell's testimonial on July 30th.
There had been some concern that the FA Cup runners-up would have difficulty making the fixture as they would be playing in the InterToto Cup during their pre-season.
Gregory said that following discussions with the club's physio it was decided that there would be sufficient time to treat any minor injuries prior to the start of the season.
Gregory said: "We want to support Mike as agreed and everything is going ahead as planned on July 30."

Curle's Taking His Time

Wolves Captain Keith Curle admitted today that he was in no hurry to leave Molineux. The centre-half is aware of the boardroom wrangling at the club but has adopted a philosophical approach to the situation. He knows that he has been linked with a player-coach's role at Sheffield United but will not be drawn on the issue.
Curle said: "As it stands, I intend to report back with the rest of the lads for pre-season training on July 10."
Yesterday, it was reported that Curle had been told by Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock to lower his wage demands if he wanted to secure a move to Bramall Lane.
We await developments.

Flo to Move?

An un-named Norwegian club have made a offer for striker Haavard Flo. Wolves are reported to have accepted the bid but it remains to be seen whether the player himself will want to move.Flo joined Wolves from Werder Bremen 17 months ago in a £750,000 deal. The indications are that Wolves would accept around half of the fee they paid to the German side if the player agreed to move on after Colin Lee warned Flo that he doesn't fit into any of his plans at Molineux - with Flo indicating that he was prepared to sit out the remainder of his contract.
Colin Lee said: "We haven't been able to speak to Haavard yet, but we understand the agent working on the deal has.
"He has previously given the impression he doesn't want to go back to Norway, so we'll have to wait and see."