Bully has one burning regret
Wolves legend Steve Bull is loving the feel of his beloved club being in the Premier League, but has one burning regret – that he can't play.
Wolves legend Steve Bull is loving the feel of his beloved club being in the Premier League, but has one burning regret – that he can't play.
The club record 306-goal striker appeared in a World Cup, has 13 England caps, two promotions and a Wembley cup win from his golden career.
But in 13 years toiling away for that elusive ticket to the promised land, he never got the chance to dine at football's highest table.
The 44-year-old folk hero has been retired 10 years this summer, but his standing among Wolves fans remains undimmed.
The Wolves vice-president admits he'd have loved to pull on the gold shirt for Mick McCarthy's side – especially because he reckons he'd have scored a hatful.
Bully said: "I'd have absolutely loved to have played for this team, especially with Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis on the wings firing balls into the box.
"I'm not being big-headed, I think I'd have scored goals too, because I think I'd have been on the end of their crosses all the time.
"But the thing that strikes you about this team is the keenness and enthusiasm of the youngsters, which helps the older ones later on in the game."
The former England international believes the legs and lungs that flow through McCarthy's side will stand them in good stead in the company of higher quality opponents.
But he's still convinced they need plenty of fresh blood to nurse the young guns through a testing transition.
He said: "Their energy will stand them in good stead, but I think they need up to eight new players.
"We've got a nucleus of a side there (to survive in the Premier League) but we need a backbone of experienced players, otherwise we're going to falter at the first hurdle again.
"I think we need two centre-halves, two midfielders and a front man.
"That will do me fine for starters – and I think it will do Mick as well."
But, after a two decade-long association with Wolves, you can't take the fan out of him.
Any frustration at not being able to pull on a gold shirt again is matched by the Tipton-born former hitman's excitement at seeing his club back in the big time.
He said: "It's every fan's dream and we've been waiting for a long time. It still hasn't sunk in yet to myself and quite a few of the fans I know.
"They're saying 'have we done it?' and since we have done it, I've been saying 'do you know we're up?' It's nice to say we're playing Premier League football.
"But laughing and joking aside, I think Mick has done a great job this season.
"He set out his stall to do it in three years and he's delivered on that. I think he's itching to get out there to get some players now for next season."
A year ago, Bully pleaded with fans to show patience with McCarthy after the team just missed out on reaching the play-offs.
Twelve months on, he's just relieved the board were justified in their decision to keep faith.
He feels McCarthy will be given the tools to do the job to, after being denied the funds at Sunderland after taking the Black Cats into the top flight.
Bully said: "I'm a realist and so is Mick. He has a young side who want to work for him and play for him. They've done the business.
"I think Mick is determined to prove himself and hopefully the resources will be better here.
"I know he's said he only had £6m to keep Sunderland in the Premier League last time and I don't think anyone could have kept them up with that – that's not even one leg of a player.
"Hopefully Mr Morgan is going to open his wallet and say 'spend it wisely' to keep us in that league."
The former England international believes some of Wolves' younger stars will be apprehensive about the step up in class.
He said: "But, with the addition of some more experienced players, that blend will help them through.
Bull helped raise around £2,250 for Birmingham Children's Hospital.
The Wolves legend performed a 45-minute stand-up routine and conducted a charity auction at the Fox pub at Shipley.
Kiahna Taylor-Brummell, two-year-old daughter of pub owner Neil Taylor and partner Kerry Brummell, spent eight weeks at the hospital because of a hole in the heart when she was nine months old.
Kiahna underwent major heart surgery in three visits to the hospital and still needs one more operation.
Around 120 punters paid £5 each to see Bully and they bid for numerous Wolves items of memorabilia, including a signed pair of winger Michael Kightly's boots.
Kerry said: "It was great of Steve to help us out for such a good cause."
