An Act To Help Keep The Memory Alive
It was a small ceremony – but hugely significant. And one initially inspired by Wolves supporters.
It’s seven months since the induction of Diogo Jota to Molineux’s hall of fame was rushed through amid the most tragic of circumstances. In a small room off the club’s outstanding museum, the process continued yesterday with the addition of his picture board among all those previously honoured.
A small group of museum employees, Wolves media staff and hall of fame committee members were present to see the Portuguese star take his place as the first solo inductee.
And with it came the fervent wish that the family of he and brother Andre will continue to find comfort from what John Richards called the ‘love and affection’ among fans in these parts.
“It was the recommendation of the hall of fame committee that Diogo was inducted but the supporters were key to everything,” said the Wolves Former Players Association chairman.
“Our meeting was the week after the accident and all the tributes were there outside the ground, with the scarves, flowers and shirts. The outpouring of grief was heart-wrenching and what the club put on at the first game was absolutely magnficent.
“Hopefully, we’re now giving their family and friends some comfort and helping ensure they will never be forgotten here at Wolverhampton Wanderers.”
Well, we’ve seen before that the Wolves FPA chairman has a head for heights….on the left is Richard Green.
Diogo, who scored 44 goals in 131 appearances here before going on to become a Premier League winner at Liverpool, will be further recognised at the dinner paying tribute to he and the next batch of inductees.
That is likely to take place next year as part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations and hall of fame committee chairman Richard Green said: “We felt we couldn’t wait for a formal dinner to reflect Diogo’s standing here.
“It was unanimously agreed that we should induct him and we wanted to do so rightaway. The hall of fame committee operate independently but we thank the club for following up and agreeing with what we wanted after John led the meetings with them.”
Yesterday’s ceremony took place seven months to the day after the brothers’ death. By coincidence, the return fixture between his two English clubs, Wolves and Liverpool, will be staged at Molineux on Tuesday, March 3 – exactly eight months on.