The Story of the Wolves – Part 19
THE novel method by which news of Wolves’ cup victory got back to their home town in 1908 was, of course, by using carrier pigeons.
Two birds can be seen in the cartoon having a conversation that actually happened in 1908. It also recounts that as the Wolves team did not arrive home until the following Monday, the Wolverhampton public had the opportunity to see the cup final action on the bioscope at the Empire Palace.
Once home a banquet was held in their honour, with local worthies Sir Alfred Hickman (Wolves’ President), Alderman C.T. Mander and Charles Crump (vice presidents), Colonel Walker (Chairman
of Directors) and Mayor Fred Evans, amongst those in attendance.
Souvenirs of the time include a programme relating to the banquet, a postcard entitled ‘Pulling down the New Castle’, and team photographs. A past Bugle article indicated that the ball used in the 1908 final had gone missing and I do not know if that is still the case.
[Editor’s note: That Bugle article lead to the answer – captain Billy Wooldridge kept the ball, and to prevent a family argument about who would inherit it on his death, it was buried with him in a Dudley churchyard].
However, a worn shirt from the match did make its way into someone’s collection.
Merv Davies talked in ‘Training with Wolves’ about a 1908 memory linked to his grandfather, legendary Wolves’ servant Jack Davies:
Visits
“Most weekends Dad would take me on a visit to his family home, at 10 Dunkley Street, Whitmore Reans, which was a short walk up the middle section of Molineux Alley, to the famous ground of the same name.
“Because
Grandad
spent so much of his time at Molineux, Dad would often do a few odd jobs, such as mowing the lawn or chopping firewood. I didn’t often see Jack because he was so busy on Sunday mornings treating players with injuries, but he often left me a little bit of memorabilia, like press photos and cigarette cards of former players.
“One Sunday flying proudly in the wind was a knitted Wolves shirt in gold and black stripes (believed to be a 1908 Cup final shirt). I instinctively knew this was meant for me.
“Sure, enough my grandmother, Ruby, unpegged it from the
washing line, and neatly wrapped it up for me to take home. Evidently it had been given to Billy Wright to mark the occasion of his 100th cap for England. In turn Billy gave it to Jack.
“Dad explained its origin, that I was very lucky to have it, and should take good care of it. This was a lovely gesture from Billy who at that time was the most famous player in the country. Billy was a family friend who had often visited Dunkley Street during the war for Jack to treat his fractured ankle. He was on first name terms with my dad, Bill.” (Courtesy of Merv Davies and