Wolverhampton becomes sea of gold as 80,000 Wolves fans celebrate promotion
What a day! Tens of thousands of Wolves fans turned out to hail their Championship-winning heroes as the city was overtaken by a sea of gold.
Up to 80,000 people flocked to the city centre and a promotion party in West Park, with huge numbers lining the streets to celebrate the team’s stunning season.
Wolves stars showed off the Championship trophy from an open-top bus as they basked in glory on a sweltering bank holiday.
Flags were waved and horns sounded throughout the day as fans celebrated their team’s historic promotion in style following a season that will live long in the memory.
Coach Nuno Espirito Santo and his stars joined the celebrations as they lapped up the appreciation of the crowd.
Two buses, emblazoned with the word ‘Champions’, set off from the art gallery at noon en route to the city’s main park.
The crowds were teased as Wolves players - both current and former - popped their heads over the art gallery's before boarding the buses.
Defender Danny Batth was the first one to greet the crowd's from the balcony, while Romain Saiss, Barry Douglas and Steve Bull all joined in the fun.
The golden buses were numbered ‘1 Keme’ in tribute to team-mate Carl Ikeme, who is battling cancer.
Fans began lining up in the city centre early, eager to secure a prime location for the bus parade, which headed down Lichfield Street, onto Waterloo Road, near Molineux, before arriving at West Park.
A Wolverhampton council spokesman said: “A whopping 80,000 people enjoyed the biggest party Wolverhampton has ever seen saluting our Premier League heroes.
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"Thank you to everyone who made today so special. A day we will never forget.”
Wolves club captain Danny Baath, from Brierley Hill, said: “Today is a moment we have all worked towards all our lives! Let’s celebrate and enjoy every moment.”
The club itself tweeted: “An incredible sight across Queen Square. What a day. What a club!”
There were chants of ‘We are Premier League’ and gold smoke filled the air as the buses passed thousands of overjoyed supporters.
Tickets for the West Park event had sold out in less than an hour, with supporters desperate to be part of a memorable day in the club’s history, and queues snaked around West Park before the party stated.
The crowd went back as far as the eye could see as the players emerged onto the stage to a rapturous reception.
There were Wolves flags, Portugese flags, and back in Queen Square a gold and black Union Jack.
Soul star and Wolves fan Beverley Knight then performed, after the crowd was warmed up by acts including Gary Stringer, George Windsor and of course avid supporter Tito Jackson.
Beverley Knight, from Penn, said: “It’s been possibly one the greatest days I have ever spent in my hometown.”
For those who weren’t able to get their hands on a ticket, the party in the park was beamed back to big screens in Queen Square.
Long-supporting fans Peter and Sharon Lang, who are from Wolverhampton but run Langs of Wollaston butchers in Stourbridge, said they would remember the day for many years to come.
Peter said: "Today has been absolutely fantastic, the parade is so exciting for everyone. It has been a long time coming for Wolves, it is a whole different type of football now.
"We have got the British spirit with a continental style. To go up as champions is brilliant.
"This day just captures the feelings of all the fans."
The players arrived at West Park for 12.45pm and later attended an after-party at the Starworks Warehouse in the city centre.
Matt Parsons was at the Frederick Street venue with his girlfriend Cristina McNabola.
Matt, a 24-year-old architect, said: “I’m a lifelong Wolves fan. When I was four years old I loved the wolf, the animal. I just didn’t feel like a West Brom fan.
"So when I was younger I was bullied loads - just banter- because on home clothes day at school I’d be the only one in a Wolves shirt while everyone else was in West Brom kit.”
Speaking about today watching the parade, Matt said: “It was the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life. It was just an incredible atmosphere.
I’d love to say hello to Nuno. I’d tell him, Nuno, you’re my dream.”
