Season 1954-55 Part Two

RONNIE Allen, once again, top-scored with 27 goals followed by George Lee with 14.

Allen, in fact, was also the First Division’s top scorer this term.

As for Walsall … they plodded home in 23rd place, following on from three successive 24th place finishes in the previous three seasons.

The Saddlers won only one of their first 16 matches (2-0 at

Brentford). They lost five of the next six and after that it was pretty tough going all the way to the finishing line, although it must be said that occasionally they looked good, especially when hammering Northampton Town 6-1 and beating QPR 4-1 in the space of five days in April, and when thumping Bournemouth, also by 6-1.

The Saddlers’ heaviest defeats of the 22 they suffered overall, were both by 5-3, away to Bristol City and Coventry City. In fact, Walsall conceded three or more goals on no less than 12 occasions.

Tony Richards was the team’s top marksman with 22 goals; Don Dorman netted 12. “Things can only get better” said one player!

Knocked out

In the FA Cup competition, Wolves knocked out Grimsby Town (5-2), Arsenal (1-0) and Charlton Athletic (4-1) in rounds 3, 4 and 5, before losing in the quarter-finals by 2-0 at Sunderland.

Holders Albion succumbed to Charlton Athletic 4-2 at home in round four after defeating Bournemouth 1-0 on the south coast, and Walsall, alas, ousted Shrewsbury Town (5-2) and Wrexham (2-1) before falling to Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in round 3.

Earlier in the season, Wolves and Albion drew 4-4 in a thrilling FA Charity Shield game at Molineux. Ronnie Allen hit a hat-trick for the Baggies in front of 45,035 fans.

A biggest crowd to watch Wolves in a League game – 75,322 – packed into Goodison Park to see the Merseysiders win 3-2 in late December.

Dennis Wilshaw became the first Wolves player to score four goals for England in an international match at Wembley – in the 7-2 win over Scotland.

Floodlit

And Wolves won two home prestigious floodlit friendlies – hammering Spartak Moscow 4-0 and edging past Honved 3-2.

Albion had lost 5-3 to Honved in Budapest in a festival game in October.

Future FA Cup and League Cup winning captain Graham Williams joined the club from Welsh non-league side Rhyl; Maurice Setters was also signed from Exeter City, while internationals Stan Rickaby and Reg Ryan both left The Hawthorns for Poole Town and Derby County respectively.

And no less than 14 different players figured on the scoresheet for Walsall.