Here's how Molineux looked BEFORE it became home to Wolves
It is now the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers but this photograph shows what life was like at the spot before the Molineux was built.
With Wolves currently languishing perilously close to the Championship drop-zone supporters maybe surprised to learn the plot was once known as the Pleasure Gardens.
This grainy sepia image shows the Molineux family's house grounds in 1860 which became Wolverhampton's first public park.
The moment reveals the site had a sporting heritage decades before Wolves moved over from Dudley Road, hosting a bicycle race on this occasion.
The Molineux Hotel can be seen in the background, with St Peter's Church to the left.
The ornamental terraced gardens were well tended and, as the house and gardens were up for sale during that time, a large number of events were held in the grounds, which became more frequent as time passed.
The events were mainly held in the summer months between early May and late September, and became increasingly popular.
As cycling events staged at the Molineux gained in popularity, the Wolverhampton Cycle Club was created and as bicycle designs evolved, they were often trialled at the Pleasure Gardens.
According to documents sourced by Wolverhampton Archives, which is housed in the former Molineux family home, one well-known race was held in September 1879 between John Keen and a Scottish rider known as Wallace from Aberdeen.
Though Wallace had a well-made machine, it did not compare to the latest design rode by Keen.
Molineux Stadium was built in 1889 and has been home to the Wolves ever since.
