More Recollections From Anniversary Celebrations
Now for a much more upbeat side-story from one of the gloomier weekends in Molineux’s recent past….
Following the Friday-lunchtime unveiling of that spectacular Wolves-Honved sculpture history and the evocative subsequent words from John Lalley on this website, we are delighted to add further reflections on not one but two ceremonies.
Eight of the heroes of that epic 1954 friendly were represented by family members at Saturday’s Premier League game against Ipswich – all hosted on behalf of the club by Wolves Heroes’ David Instone.
He had also provided some of the contact details through which these offspring were invited both to the ‘big reveal’ on Friday and, 24 hours later, to a museum tour, executive-box lunch and half-time walk-on.
There was also chance for a sit-down in the museum cinema and a viewing of the new ‘Wolves, Champions of the World’ video – a brilliant 13-minute film that brought warm applause at the end from all in the room.
Introduced to the crowd a couple of hours later were Anne Crawshaw and Paul Williams (daughter and son of Bert Williams), Gerry and Babette Wright (son-in-law and daughter of Billy Wright), Tim and Jon Slater (sons of Bill Slater), Debbie Smith (daughter of Peter Broadbent) and friend Penny, Helen and Tom Baucher (daughter and grandson of Roy Swinbourne), Lucy and Tom Williams (grandchildren of Dennis Wilshaw), Faye and Nigel Smith (granddaughter and son of Leslie Smith) and Glen and Harry Flowers (son and grandson of Ron Flowers).
All eight players were honoured through a giant banner bearing their face, with Stan Cullis’s son Andrew and daughter-in-law Liz completing the VIP group watching from the edge of the pitch.
Several of the group are very much Wolves fans but their geographical spread – London, Stratford-on-Avon, Sutton Coldfield and Shrewsbury, for example – will explain why other clubs have places in their affections, too.
And Hertfordshire-based Tom Baucher will be watching his favourite two clubs in opposition on December 29 after securing a ticket for the Tottenham v Wolves game.
He will presumably be fascinated to be reminded that, when his grandfather scored against Spurs in April, 1954 on the afternoon Wolves secured the Division One title for the first time, the attendance was 44,. When they faced Honved eight months later, 55, were present.
The collective pride of the various offspring was obvious and Molineux staff have since received various thank-yous from them.
The sculpture, by Leslie Perry, that has given Molineux another outstanding feature.
One email said: “Many thanks for a very memorable Saturday. It was a pleasure to attend such a celebration. We were made very welcome and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.”
Another read: “Thank you so much for having us, it was absolutely Incredible. The flags, the video, every detail was amazing. I always feel proud of my granddad but it was so special and I felt close to him today.”
A bonus for them all came with a visit to the executive box of club vice-president John Richards – fresh from a media-room reunion with Gary Birtles and Ipswich legend Mick Mills.
The last survivor of the team who beat Honved was Ron Flowers, who passed away just over three years ago. The members of the side not represented last weekend were Eddie Stuart, Johnny Hancocks and Bill Shorthouse, whose families the club tried to track down.