Now Wolves fans are dreaming of a return to the old gold years
INSIDE the Molineux Subway listening to the thunder, gazing aimlessly at dirty tiles in different shades of yellow, the faithful gathered and waited for a break in the weather.
From their dimly lit subterranean holding pen, those at the vanguard hailed blue skies beyond the Sir Jack Hayward Stand and word rippled through the damp ranks of the underpass where a cleverly-stationed badges tall and a programme seller enjoyed minisurges in business.
A bucket- shaker seized his moment, forging into the mass of damp bodies, yelling ‘ Cure leukaemia, support Carl Ikeme’ and rattling his plastic tub of coins.
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ goalkeeper Ikeme was diagnosed with leukaemia last month, has started chemotherapy and was front-page news in Saturday’s
Express & Star as he vowed to beat the disease.
He dominated the thoughts of many and his image adorned the match-day programme, its cover designed by centre-half-turnedartist Jody Craddock who was on the pitch with his children at halftime to share their story of hope.
Craddock’s youngest son Toby was diagnosed with leukaemia five years ago and is in full remission.
A personal message from Ikeme was relayed through the video screens to a reverential hush, a hint of reality to offset the boundless optimism of every opening day fixture.
‘ What happens if we finish third?’ a young boy asked his father, as they marched down Lichfield Street in old gold nylon.
A neat summary of the play-off system prompted a follow-up question about the Champions League. This time the answer was laced with caution.
Wolves fans may be quietly encouraged by what lies ahead this season under Nuno Espirito Santo but false dawns are a speciality in this part of the football world.
Let’s not get carried away. Not even after this win against Middlesbrough, opponents flush with Premier League cash and a trio of new attacking players who cost more than £30million.
Wolves shut them out and took three points, helped by a missed sitter from Martin Braithwaite on his Boro debut and a goal created by an inexplicable mistake from Daniel Ayala.
Leo Bonatini, a former Brazil Under 17 striker, signed last week on loan from Al- Hilal in Saudi Arabia, collected Ayala’s unwitting pass and scored the game’s only goal.
A crowd close to 30,000 erupted in a chorus of Santo’s name and the tall Portuguese coach responded with a little wave. ‘Fantastic,’ said Santo, his English fluent. ‘ They supported the team and we thank them. ‘ We want to build this engagement between the team and the fans and make Molineux a difficult place for the opponents. It is about building an idea, building a team and putting together a strong squad so that, no matter what we face, we will always be Wolves.’
The club is pushing boundaries under Chinese ownership, with influential agent Jorge Mendes driving their recruitment policy.
Eleven players have been signed this summer and seven started against Boro, including 23-yearold Bonatini, midfielder Ruben Neves — a club record £16m signing from Porto — winger Diogo Jota, on loan from Atletico Madrid, and centre half Willy Boly, the most impressive of the newcomers, on loan from Porto.
All have Premier League ambitions but first must survive the relentless 46-game slog of the Championship.
‘When they start hitting December, they won’t know what’s hit them,’ admitted wing-back Matt Doherty. ‘It’s up to them to react to going to Barnsley on a Tuesday night when it’s almost snowing.’
As at Watford under the Pozzo family, supporters appear less concerned than others about the motivation behind this rapid turnover of footballers from all nations and more excited by the prospect of a little success.
It had been a long time. Wolves have spent only four of the last 32 seasons in the top flight. They have waited patiently for the clouds to part and the sun to deliver that golden glow again.