Mick McCarthy back as Jody Craddock's Wolves testimonial revealed
Mick McCarthy and Terry Connor will return to Molineux to manage a Wolves side for Jody Craddock's testimonial match, it was announced today.
The 2009 promotion-winning manager, who is now boss of Ipswich, will take charge of the hosts against Sunderland on May 5. Assistant Terry Connor will join him with Bobby Saxton, number two to Peter Reid when Craddock won the then First Division title with Sunderland in 1999, in charge of the visitors. Craddock won two promotions to the Premier League during his career, with Wolves in 2008-09 and with the Black Cats 10 years earlier.
Some of the proceeds from the match will go to Birmingham Children's Hospital, where Jody's four-year-old son Toby continues to be treated for leukaemia. Wolves legend Steve Bull said Craddock deserved a great turnout of fans for the match. There's a fantastic buzz back among Wolves fans at the moment and that's just what Jody deserves to celebrate his career," said Bull. "It can be difficult for fans to support these things at times, especially if things aren't going well on the pitch at the time.
"But I think they will back Jody and the mood around the place at the moment can only help. It could be a great party and a great way to celebrate the season.
"Jody deserves this. He is the model professional and has never been a moment's trouble from the moment he walked through the doors of the club." Bull holds particular respect for Craddock because of the way in which he fought back from initial criticism of his performances on signing for Wolves' first-ever Premier League campaign. He adds: "We all know what Jody is about. He gets his head down, keeps his mouth shut and gets on with it.
"He doesn't rock the boat or cause trouble. He got stick at first but fought his way back to be a player the fans absolutely loved – and rightly so. It's like I say – he is the model pro. Every young player on the club's books at the moment can learn something from the way Jody has conducted his career. He really deserves a great turnout for this game and hopefully the weekend will be perfect for him."
Tickets for the testimonial match will go on sale tomorrow at www.wolves.co.uk
