Source: FOOTYMAD
The S24 Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Southend United
It's a chance to forget the poor League start in the second round of the Carling Cup as Shrimpers visit Premiership Wolves at Molineux on Tuesday, August 24th, kick-off 19.45. Carling Cup Second Round: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Southend United - Tuesday, August 24th; kick-off 19.45 v SHRIMPERSPossible Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Phillips, Prosser, Barker, Soares Grant, Easton, Simpson, Spencer, Corr.Subs: Evans, Coughlan, Herd, Zaaboub, Hall, Sturrock, Paterson.OPPOSITION PREVIOUSLYGROUND Molineux has been completely rebuilt in recent years, with the oldest stand, then called the John Ireland Stand (since renamed the Steve Bull Stand) being opened in 1979. Three other stands were then built in the early 1990's with the Jack Harris Stand the last to be completed in December 1993. The stadium itself is superb and is made up of four separate stands. Both ends are large single tiered stands (one of which the Stan Cullis Stand has a small clock perched on its roof), whilst both sides are two tiered with a row of executive boxes along the middle. Both the side stands are unusual in being oval in shape, meaning that those sitting on the half way line are furthest away from the playing action. It is a pity that the stands do not go all the way around the ground, (the corners of the ground are largely open) as this would make it a truly wonderful stadium. Martyn With Wolves returning to the Premier League, then the 'Gene Kelly' (or officially known as the Wolves Community Trust) temporary stand makes a return, situated in one corner between the Jack Harris and Billy Wright stands. This 900 capacity stand has green seats which makes it look out of place to the rest of the stadium. This area is open to the elements so you could end up 'singing in the rain'.What particularly impresses fans about Molineux, is that quality shows, getting the feeling that little expense has been spared in its construction. This is perhaps best summed up by the two statues that sit outside the ground. The impressive statue of Billy Wright is probably the finest football statue located at any ground in Britain. It sits outside the main entrance to the club offices. In 2003 the same designer, James Butler produced another statue, this time of former player and manager Stan Cullis, that is located by the entrance to the ticket office at the back of the stand bearing the mans name. Away fans are housed in the lower tier of the Steve Bull Stand which runs along the side of the pitch. Up to 3,200 away supporters can be accommodated in this area. (Don't think we have to worry about that!) Fans are sat quite far back from the playing area, which gives the illusion that the pitch is larger than at most other grounds. Musical delights at the ground include just before kick off, 'Hi, Ho, Silver Lining' with the crowd singing 'Hi, Ho, Wolverhampton! The catering facilities within the ground are pretty good, serving a range of food. It is strongly advised that colours are kept covered around the ground and city centre (and that goes for your cars too).Ticket Prices Tickets for this match are £2 cheaper for Southend Season Card Holders if they are purchased in advance of the match from the Blues Box Office.A special Season Card Holder offer is also available allowing any adult or senior Season Card Holder to purchase up to two additional junior tickets at £2 each.Adults - £10 (£12 non season card holder), Seniors, Students, Under-17's - £5 (£7), Under 12's - £2 (£5). Tickets for Wheelchair/Ambulant Disabled supporters are relevant to the supporters' age with Disabled Helpers free of charge.With 3,000 tickets available you should be able to get one at the Port Vale game Saturday, but if your worried, pop in to Roots Hall or call 08444 77 00 77.Stadium: Top Left, the clues for the ground are on the street names. Station: Bottom right, the blue blob, you can make the 22.45, hope there's no penalties! (Ground information supplied by www.footballgroundguide.com)WEATHERREFThe man in the middle is . And he gives an interview here: FIXTURESBETWolves (to win) - , Draw - , Southend (to win) - . For all the footy odds go here: TRANSPORTBy Road Leave the M6 at Junction 10 and take the A454 towards Wolverhampton. Continue to follow the A454 right into Wolverhampton (be wary of speed cameras on the A454). On reaching the traffic island that intersects with the ring road, turn right.As you approach the 2nd set of lights look for the signs for football parking. The ground is over the 2nd set of lights on the right. Alternatively if you turn left into the city centre you may find a space in one of the many council run 'pay & display' car parks. The Civic Hall car park, normally remains open for night matches. (A detailed map to the ground available here: www.wolves.co.uk/page/FindUs/0,,10307,00.html)By Train The ground is walkable from the train station in the centre of city (15 minutes), see map above. Leave the station and proceed straight on towards the town centre and as you reach the inner ring road turn right. Just follow the ring road as it continues in a circular pattern around to the left. Eventually you will see the Molineux on the right.ExamplesLondon Euston 11.23 - Wolverhampton 13.11 - £10.00 London Euston 12.23 - Wolverhampton 14.11 - £10.00 London Euston 13.23 - Wolverhampton 15.11 - £14.00London Euston 15.23 - Wolverhampton 17.11 - £28.00Wolverhampton 22.45 - London Euston 00.58 - £7.00 Here's a trip, really for those Shrimpers based around London, where you can get top the game for £15.20! London Euston 13.54 - Birmingham 16.17 - £6.00Birmingham 16.31 or 18.01 - Wolverhampton 16.48 or 18.19 - £2.15 (day return but use one way)Wolverhampton 22.45 - London Euston 00.58 - £7.00 Go to www.londonmidland.com for full details on all services and to book tickets at the special online cost.By CoachSupporters Club coaches at £15, £20 or £25. Go here for full details:www.shrimperstrust.co.uk/travel.asp?game_id=0 National Express from London Victoria, go here for all times and fares: www.nationalexpress.comOut 10.00 In 13.30 - £6Out 12.00 In 15.30 - £6Out 14.00 In 17.45 - £5 Back - Forget it unless you want a six hour wait in Birmingham, and you don't, so take the train, stay overnight, or scrounge a lift!(Travel directions supplied by: http://footballgroundguide.com/wolverhampton_wanderers/index.htm) PUB AND PIESWell it may be a great stadium, with good atmosphere, but the main drawback with a visit to Molineux is the lack of away friendly pubs for visiting supporters to drink in. Now there are a number of pubs situated around the ground, but they do not admit away fans, which to a certain extent is understandable, even for a League two club.There was a small bar called the Bluebrick inside the Premier Inn hotel, located near to the railway station, which is being frequented by away fans. If arriving by train then as you leave the station entrance, turn right and you will see a walkway going down under the station. At the bottom of the walkway turn left and after a short walk you will see the Bluebrick over on your right. Also some away supporters have also been frequenting the Litten Tree in Victoria Street and the Goose in the City in Lichfield Street.Due to the lack of pubs for away fans near to the stadium, it may be an idea instead to drink on the way to the stadium, rather than planning on drinking in Wolverhampton itself. If you do decide to wander around the centre, then colours should be covered and numbers waking around in the party kept to a minimum.(Information supplied by http://footballgroundguide.com/wolverhampton_wanderers/pubs.htm, and please click on the link for full maps to the pubs recommended.) HISTORYThe Wolves team that won the FA Cup in 1893 The team were founded as St. Luke's in 1877 by John Baynton and John Brodie, after a group of pupils at St Luke's school in Blakenhall had been presented with a football by their headmaster Harry Barcroft. Two years later, they merged with local cricket and football club The Wanderers, to form Wolverhampton Wanderers.The club were initially given the use of two fields — John Harper's Field and Windmill Field — both off Lower Villiers Street in Blakenhall. From there, they moved to a site on the Dudley Road opposite the Fighting Cocks Inn in 1881. The club then became one of the twelve founders of the English Football League in 1888 and finished the inaugural season in a creditable third place, as well as reaching their first ever FA Cup Final, losing 3-0 to the first "Double" winners, Preston North End.The Modern EraFollowing the exit of former England manager Glenn Hoddle in pre-season in 2006, Wolves staged a complete clearout, stripping the squad and wage bill down and appointing former Republic of Ireland and Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy. Wolves therefore commenced the 2006-07 season with only the bare bones of a first team squad and with the lowest expectations around the club in years.McCarthy acknowledged the challenge, stating to local media "The initials MM on my top stand for Mick McCarthy, not Merlin the Magician", and quickly scraped together a squad, largely from the club's youth ranks, out of contract players and loanees. After an inconsistent first half to the season, an impressive run of form followed and the club eventually made the play-offs, despite earlier expectations. They were paired with local rivals West Bromwich Albion in the semi-finals, where they lost out over two legs.There was further change when businessman Steve Morgan took control of the club for a nominal £10 fee in return for a £30million investment into the club, resulting in the departure of Sir Jack Hayward (who remains as Life President) after 17 years as chairman. The protracted takeover was finally completed on 9 August 2007, upon which the club set out their future ethos:"It is intended that the new capital, over a period of time, will be used to help re-establish Wolves as a Premiership club. Although this is a significant amount of money there will not be an 'open cheque book' approach to signing players; instead the club will build on the current strategy of steadily and progressively developing a team of young, hungry and talented players. — Club Statement"Despite Morgan's arrival, the 2007-08 season ultimately brought more disappointment as the club failed to match the previous campaign's playoff finish. Poor form around Christmas saw them slump to midtable and only a late rally, aided by the goal power of new signing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, put them back in the promotion hunt. They finished just outside the final play-off spot on goal difference, one goal short of Watford.The 2008-09 season saw the club's strongest start since 1949-50, as an opening day draw preceded a run of seven consecutive wins. Fired by the goals of Ebanks-Blake and new signing Chris Iwelumo, the club hit the top of the table for the first time in years by the end of August and never left the automatic promotion spots after. A second run of seven consecutive wins tightened their grip on the lead by Christmas.Despite a dismal start to 2009, the equally faltering form of their rivals allowed Wolves to retain the top spot. March saw a return to form with 13 points from a possible 15, strengthening their position at the top of the table that they had led since October. Promotion to the Premier League was finally confirmed on 18 April 2009 with a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers. The following week, Wolves clinched their first divisional title since the 1988-89 season.Their return to the Premier League saw the club reach its highest league position in 30 years, with a 15th place finish granting survival. This marked the first time Wolves had survived a season at the highest level since 1981. This achievement was built on a solid defensive element to the team, counting its lack of goalpower, despite the addition of striker Kevin Doyle for a club record fee.Soon after the 2009/10 season had ended, Wolves started to target their new signings for the new season. They wasted no time in signing 4 players (Jelle van Damme, Steven Fletcher, Steven Mouyokolo and Steven Hunt) within in the space 3 weeks, as well as making Adlene Guedioura's loan deal permanent. For the full history of the club, and there's a bit, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C.
