‘MY LOVE GAME WITH WOLVES...’
Tennis ace John Lloyd on his favourite team:
GRAND SLAM tennis champion John Lloyd may spend a lot of his time court side commentating on the finest players on the planet, but he’s always got an eye on his beloved Wolves – and he’s backing them for promotion!
Prostate Cancer UK supporter Lloyd is a British tennis great having won the Australian Open in 1977 and three mixed double slams in the 80s.
Now tennis fans listen to the former Davis Cup captain’s expert insight on the BBC.
But the 62-year-old loves nets of a different kind too as a lifelong devotee of Wolves.
While there hasn’t been much to cheer about in recent years, Lloyd likes what he sees from new boss Nuno Espirito Santo and his team.
“I’ve followed Wolves since I was eight years old,” Lloyd said. “So it’s a lot of years. I love the team. I’ve loved them from when I was eight through the high eras and quite a few low ones, to be honest.
“Now they have new owners and are spending the dosh. I like what I’m seeing. As long as we have some British players in there for a bit of steel and you combine that with the flair of the players that we seem to be signing, I’m backing us for promotion this season.” But why Wolves? “Silly reason really,” he added. “The reason I supported Wolves when I was eight years old, when all my friends supported the LiverEFL pools, Arsenals, Man Uniteds, was I liked the gold shirts. I don’t know why, but I did, and I’ve been in love with them ever since.
“I stay with them no matter what. In California and Florida that means getting up very early to listen to them on the computer, and if I was lucky enough to go to Wolves the late, great Rachael Heyhoe Flint, who was a friend of mine, used to get me some good tickets and I love it.
Passionate
“I’m very passionate about it and this year I’ll be able to watch it on the computer and get pictures for the first time. I shall be watching every single game no matter where the heck I am or what time it is. And I’ll be supporting our glorious team into the Premiership!”
Lloyd was diagnosed with prostate cancer early last year and since successful surgery is urging men not to ignore any symptoms.
clubs proudly display the Man of Men emblem on their shirt numbers and Lloyd added: “How tremendous that all the players in the league can wear this tremendous badge now with pride and help cancer awareness. The awareness and publicity you get from football players is second to none and it’s tremendous that everyone is supporting this great cause.”
Former Great Britain Number One and current BBC tennis pundit John Lloyd is a supporter of Prostate Cancer UK after being diagnosed with the disease early last year. The 62-year-old, who had successful surgery, spoke to the charity during Wimbledon fortnight, opening up about his prostate cancer journey and is keen to hammer home the dangers of the disease.
For more information go to prostatecanceruk.org