The Story of the Wolves – Part 40
THIS cartoon is missing from my dad’s scrapbook, but fortunately I managed to find it in another publication.
It provides further coverage of the Port Vale game on 23rd April first mentioned in Part 39. Unsurprisingly perhaps, the two Wolves goals on the day were netted by Billy Hartill, whose exploits were fully outlined in Part 34.
However, the man who provided the assists was inside-forward Walter Bottrill. Bottrill had been signed by Major Buckley from York City in 1930, making his debut against Nottingham Forest at the start of the previous season.
Although overshadowed by Hartill’s exploits, the number 8 was second top scorer in 1931-32, netting 21 goals in 38 outings, compared with Billy’s 30 in 38 (including four hat-tricks). Walter scored 44 goals in 109 Wolves appearances before leaving for Huddersfield Town in 1933.
Another player featured is left-winger
William Barraclough who had played his first Wolves match back in December 1928 against Clapton Orient. Previously with Hull City, Billy scored 19 times for the club in 183 starts (7 goals in 40 in 1931-32) before Buckley moved him on to Chelsea in 1934.
Promotion
Charlie Phillips (covered previously) and James Deacon (more in Part 41) contributed 18 and 13 goals respectively to the promotion campaign as Wolves had an incredible record of 115 goals scored against 49 conceded.
Buckley promised: “Now they are back in Division 1 they are going to stop there,” and he was true to his word as Wolves would not suffer relegation for 33 years.
But the 1964-65 season was a long way away then as understandably jubilant spectators celebrated promotion success. After all, they had last graced the topflight in 1906, 22 seasons and 26 years of hurt, including one term in Division 3.