Bert the Cat put to the test by highlycapped Hungarians
Part 11 of our look back at the famous floodlit friendlies that lit up Molineux in the 1950s
December 11, 1956 Wolves 1-1 Red Banner
Friendly Attendance: 43,540
WOLVES welcomed Hungarian opposition for the second time at Molineux as part of their floodlight friendly encounters.
The previous visit of top Hungarian side Honved had seen Wolves win 3-2 in a classic game, that was to live long in the memories of Wolves supporters. This time it was Red Banner that graced the famous Molineux pitch, with a team that boasted 241 international caps between them, making them at the time the biggest collection of international players gathered in any one football club.
Every member of the team had played at least twice for Hungary’s national side, with captain Nandor Hidegkuti having gained 58 international caps.
As the programme notes from the game confirmed, Wolves’ record in their floodlit games was very impressive, with only First Vienna managing to prevent Wolves from scoring, which was largely down to a superb goalkeeping display by Austrian international goalkeeper Schmied.
All other visitors had been beaten, so Red Banner would have to produce a good performance to prevent Wolves from adding another victory to their record books.
The profits from the game were being donated to the Hungarian relief fund. 1956 had seen the Hungarian revolution take place after a nationwide revolt against the neostalin imposed Soviet policies. This resulted in thousands of Hungarians being killed by Soviet tanks and troops in November 1956, and about a quarter of a million Hungarians fleeing their country to seek refuge.
Wolves were without centreforward Dennis Wilshaw, who was injured. Jimmy Murray led the attack and Pat Neil, the former Portsmouth schoolboy amateur, was brought in on the left wing in place of Jimmy Mullen.
The Molineux pitch was again treacherous after heavy rain, and Bert Williams, in goal for Wolves, had difficulty in dealing with the visitors’ early attacks.
Red Banner took the lead after only six minutes, as Peter Palotas picked up the ball near to the goal and his shot beat Willams in the slippery goalmouth, to give the Hungarian team a surprise early lead.
With Wolves having scored 5 goals in their previous two floodlit friendlies the Molineux
A relieved Molineux saw their team maintain their unbeaten run under floodlights
crowd must have been none too worried about their side going one goal down. Indeed only four minutes later the home crowd were cheering another Wolves floodlit finish. Harry Hooper forced a corner and when Red Banner goalkeeper Veres punched out the ball, Pat Neil hit a splendid leftfooted drive which left the keeper helpless.
Both sides had further chances in the first half, with Wolves narrowly the better team after having three good chances, all saved by Veres.
At half-time the skilful
Hidegkuti was replaced by Karasz. The second-half saw both goalkeepers in action – for Wolves Bobby Mason, Bill Slater and Ron Flowers all went close with good chances and for Red Banner, Williams saved almost certain scoring chances from Molnar and Palotas. With the game evenly matched and heading to a draw, the visitors almost snatched a late victory when Karasz was brought down in the penalty area by George Showell, but the referee waved play to continue. Williams scrambled the ball around the post to see a relieved Molineux crowd ensure that their team maintained their unbeaten run.
Wolves manager Stan Cullis must have been impressed by Red Banner’s 19-year-old Istvan Kovacs as he convinced the Wolves directors to sign him. Alas, it would prove not to be a dream move for Kovacs.
There were issues in gaining clearance from the Hungarian FA to allow Kovacs to play, and when clearance did finally come through, his Wolves career took another twist as FIFA decreed that all players that left Hungary at the time of the revolution would be suspended.
With Kovacs not able to sign as a professional until October 1958, Wolves had no alternative but to let him go.
Next up at Molineux would be the visit of German side