All Stars shine in Sands fundraiser

Mel Eves has insisted Wolves All Stars could continue despite his intention to quit as manager.

The former Molineux ace stepped down as organiser of the All Stars after last night's 4-3 defeat to their Walsall counterparts at the Banks's Stadium.

The game raised money for Sands, a charity supported by Saddlers secretary Dan Mole and his wife Emma.

Eves, who won the League Cup with Wolves in 1980, took over from Bobby Thomson and Phil Nicholls 14 years ago and has raised over £250,000 for good causes.

Last night raised around £2,500 for Sands - a still birth and neo-natal death charity - pushing the Moles closer to their £10,000 target.

The couple lost a baby last summer and have raised over £6,000 in just five months. The game represented the ethos of Eves' team and he hopes they can continue in the future.

He said: "It's run its course for me, we're just taking a rain check because it's been so difficult to get ex-Wolves players out on a regular basis.

"I'm sure there will be the odd game but I just need to have a break. We'll see if anyone will come forward. We've been looking for help for the last year to get more names.

"We've raised, conservatively, £250,000 but it's probably getting on for £500,000.

"We're pleased because it's nice to give something back to the communities who supported us when we were playing."

A crowd of 544 watched ex-Walsall stars Mark Kinsella, Ron Green and Darren Wrack face Tony Dinning, Paul Jones and Jamie Smith - delighting organiser Mole.

Mole said: "It's been phenomenal. We were hoping for about 500 people and we got 544. It exceeded mine and Emma's expectations.

"We're over £6,000 now which in five months is more than we thought we'd ever achieve. We're just amazed by the support we've had from our friends and family.

"I'd like to thank Mel and David Clayton, the Wolves All Stars secretary, for everything."

Jon Purdie, Simon Dunkley and Shane Tudor put Wolves 3-0 up but Walsall launched a late rally to stun their visitors.

Kinsella's strike pulled one back before Leroy May's double made it 3-3.

Former Wolves and Walsall defender Chris Westwood then netted the winner.