Sir Jack Hayward signs Dudley couple's wedding album

It was a match made at Molineux for Fred and Julie Whitehouse, and their wedding now has seal of approval of a Wolves icon.

The Dudley pair were thrilled to meet the club's life president Sir Jack Hayward at a signing of his new DVD entitled Sir Jack: Wolves.

But the devoted Wolves fans came away with a unique memento after Sir Jack and club vice president Rachael Heyhoe-Flint signed their wedding photo album.

"It was all a bit of a spur of the moment thing but we just thought, why not?

"We've always admired him for what he has done for the club," said Fred, aged 66, of Green Road, Dudley.

Administrator Julie, 43, added: "He took time to chat to us and even gave me a kiss. To have the album signed by him is absolutely fantastic."

Sir Jack gave the couple's union the thumbs-up with a message reading: "All the best, keep going." Rachael added: "Always Black and Gold forever."

Fred and Julie's wedding was in the suite bearing the former owner's name on July 19, 2003. Many of the wedding pictures were taken at Molineux - on the pitch, in the tunnel and even with the Division One play-off winner's trophy.

Retired press operator Fred has two children from a previous marriage and seven grandchildren.

Sir Jack was attending this afternoon's clash with Manchester City, and the 87-year-old is optimistic about how the season will end, despite Wolves' position near the bottom of the Premiership.

"There's a big difference in the way we are competing against the top teams now. We are much closer to them," he said. "Watch us climb the table."

By Andrew Turton