Book detailing history of Wolves stars chosen to represent England set to be released

Bob Bannister, a supporter of the club since 1945, has collated detailed accounts on each English player chosen for international duty.

And it dates all the way back to 1887, when Charles Mason – who played at the club's Dudley Road ground – put on the England shirt.

A total of 36 men – including Wolves legends Billy Wright and Steve Bull – have been chosen to play for their country up to the present day.

The latest player to take up the mantle is current centre-back Conor Coady who received his first call up to Gareth Southgate's squad last year.

Bob, from Coventry, put together the "Wolves’ England Internationals: 1887 to present day" book after being inspired by the club captain.

He said: "It all happened when Conor Coady played for England and that's what inspired me to do the book – and it's dedicated to him.

"It took me the best part of 10 weeks and I thoroughly enjoyed it because I remember Billy Wright and all of those players.

"Charles Mason was the first [chosen] in 1887 – that was before the football league was founded and he didn't play at Molineux at the time, it was at the Dudley Road ground."

The book is set to be released in May this year by Geoffrey Publications and includes details of more than 300 Wolves-related international games, with reports, line-ups, goal-scorers as well as updates of Wolves history over that period.

The 81-year-old said he became a fan of the old gold and black after being taken to a game by his father – and said Wolves legend Billy Wright was his favourite player.

He said: I first started in 1945 and there's a little bit of a joke because my father took me to see the Wolves reserve side – their second team. They had played all the season and hadn't been beaten, then they played Liverpool and they lost. On my way home, I was about six at the time and I started to cry.

"My father said – and tapped me on the head – and said 'if you cry again you will never go to a football match again' – and that made me cry even more. And in 1947 I started seeing the first team.

"For me, It's got to be Billy Wright [my favourite player] – he played 105 times for his country over a lengthy period of time and he was mostly outstanding for England.

"I've actually been asked a lot 'what do I think of the present side' and you really can't compare them because the 50s side, the pitches were not as good – they had to play on snow and ice.

"At the start the pitch would be perfect but come the Autumn it was beginning to churn up and then came the snow and ice and come March it would be very muddy.

"It's like playing on a snooker table now, there's no doubt about that. I'd have to say the present side is faster and more skilful, perhaps, but again they have this perfect pitch.

"I'm lucky that I've been able to see the Wolves side of old when they were the best and this team as well."

People who pre-order the book within the next month can have their name in the book – either their name or in memory of a loved one – and the profits from the book, priced at £15, will go to the Wolves Former Players Association.

Bob added: "People think footballers are earning a fortunate – and they do now – but you've got to think back to people my age, they were earning a working man's wage at the time. They have some players there in need of help."

Clive Corbett, from Geoffrey Publications, said: "I'm certain it'll be a success and I have great confidence in that. With Bob's book, it's a special one because he's been a Wolves fan since 1945 – for 76 years – and he's a genuine supporter.

"I'm delighted to help him and it'll be great to see it when it's out. It';l be nice if we have to update it as well with a few more Conor Coady appearances."

Anyone interested in buying the book should email gpbooks@hotmail.co.uk or call 07906 653 104