WOLVES ON THE PROWL AGAIN
Decades after they dominated English football...
THE skies over Molineux are bleak but inside the ground John Hendley is describing why the future is bright for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The club historian and programme editor has been a fan since 1964, and for the first time he can envisage a return to the golden days when Wolves won league titles and blazed a trail in Europe.
‘When you talk to older supporters you get the sense that the flavour of those years is here again,’ Hendley says. ‘In local pubs it used to be what I call “we” and “they”. “We were tremendous” or “They were rubbish”. Now a lot of people are coming up to me saying, “We are going to do it this year!”’
Tonight, Wolves find inspiration in the shape of Manchester City, a club at the peak of their powers after a transformative takeover. Wolves are just beginning their journey under Fosun, a Chinese conglomerate who took ownership last year, but the signs are there.
Fosun’s millions, invested through the advice and connections of agent Jorge Mendes, have brought to the club a coaching and playing staff with Champions League experience.
At the Etihad, in the Carabao Cup fourth round, it is top of the Premier League against top of the Championship and comparisons have been made.
‘We are being described by some jealous opponents as a poor man’s Manchester City,’ says John Lalley, a 64- year- old supporter. ‘ But I haven’t heard anybody there complaining about Sheik Mansour. And you won’t find me complaining about Fosun.’
A relationship that began dysfunctionally — with Kenny Jackett, Walter Zenga, and Paul Lambert all sacked within a year — has synced this season under the guidance of manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who turned down offers from the Champions League to move to the Black Country.
Santo bought into the project described by Mendes, his friend of 20 years, and has knitted together a team from diverse sources, including winger Diogo Jota, signed on loan from Atletico Madrid; Ruben Neves, the club’s £15.8m record signing from Porto; and Danny Batth, who at 27 has been at Wolves his entire career.
Playing a system of three central defenders, two marauding wing- backs, and a fluid front three, Santo’s team have enlivened Molineux. The crowd of 30,239 for the recent 2-0 win over Aston Villa was the club’s largest since 1981.
Steve Bull, who has a stand named in his honour, chuckles at the change. ‘Last year and before my phone was quiet,’ he says. ‘Now it is like the Batphone, red hot with people wanting tickets. We haven’t had this type of football before. It takes time to build a side. They are excelling themselves.’
Steve Daley, another former player, adds: ‘Before Nuno came in there was a bit of despondency about the place. That went first game of the season against Middlesbrough. I turned to Jody Craddock and said, “It’s like watching Brazil”.
‘ In possession they are so composed and when they haven’t got the ball they hunt it. The onetouch is brilliant.’
For all their international connections Fosun are keeping links to the club’s history. Daley played for Wolves through their run to the 1972 UEFA Cup final and is now a stadium announcer.
Craddock, veteran of the club’s four Premier League seasons, has become an artist and is painting programme covers.
Supporters will not care who brings in the players if it means flowing football and top- flight status for the first time since 2012. Chairman Jeff Shi has moved from China to Wolverhampton with his wife and family to increase the sense of stability. Almost all the players from Portugal, Spain, and wherever else live near the club’s training ground. Santo’s work cannot be under-estimated, bringing the type of football from previous clubs Valencia and Porto, while maintaining a happy squad in spite of vast variance in wages — Neves is thought to be on £45,000 per week while central defender Conor Coady earns £8,000.
Bull is ebullient. ‘I am like a supporter. I go to the games, and pay my own way when away, on the bus with the lads. I love it.’
Those travelling to the Etihad tonight will feel the same, given a glimpse of what might be possible. Fosun’s board is made up of billionaires to collectively surpass the wealth of Roman Abramovich. Bull says: ‘I think they are going to take this club to a different level.’