Matt Murray reunites Wolves heroes

How strange a night of pure triumphalism for Wolves should be so perfectly captured by the one outsider at Matt Murray's 2003 play-off winners reunion.

The former goalkeeper had gathered together his old team-mates and manager Dave Jones to wallow in the memory of that remarkable outing to the Millennium Stadium when Wolves reached the Premier League for the first time.

But, in among the throng which packed the Sir Jack Hayward suite to savour the occasion all over again was Kevin Blackwell, the assistant manager of opponents Sheffield United, who were famously blown away by Wolves' breathtaking three-goal first 45 minutes before Murray's crucial penalty save crushed their last hopes of a second-half comeback.

Wolves' view of the final is a well trodden story for the Molineux fans, but they are less familiar with the Blades perspective and Blackwell provided some startling revelations amid wonderful, good-natured banter with his hosts which helped make the night an unqualified success for Murray's testimonial year.

The impact of Denis Irwin's shackling of Peter Ndlovu, for example, has never been truly appreciated back in Wolverhampton – the Zimbabwean winger's pace against the veteran was a supposed weapon which never came out of the hanger thanks to the Irwin's big-match experience.

And Blackwell held the room spellbound by revealing the true extent of his manager Neil Warnock's breakdown that day, which left the Blades boss alone and weeping in their dressing room as the second-half resumed.

But it was Blackwell's tribute to the night's core figure which earned him his biggest ovation.

He said: "People have been saying to me 'what are you doing here?' and 'why have you come?' Well, I will tell you – because of the respect and esteem that Matt Murray is held within the game.

"If he was a son of mine, I would be so proud of him. But he is a son of Wolverhampton – and you should all be very proud of him too."

Those words were the embodiment of the occasion as camaraderie, respect, celebration and a deep sense of appreciation for one of the most fondly-recalled chapters in Wolves' modern-day story evoked the heady spirit of 2003.

A few of Murray's old pals couldn't make it, Paul Ince – "he's probably on an island somewhere," said Jones poking fun at the 'Guv'nor's' legendary ego – Mark Kennedy, Colin Cameron and Nathan Blake among them.

But plenty did – Irwin, Kenny Miller, Paul Butler, Michael Oakes, Dean Sturridge, Shaun Newton, Lee Naylor, Joleon Lescott and more besides.

Keith Andrews drove four hours from Ipswich to be there and drove four hours back for training today.

And with a real buzz in the room as the videos and stories began rolling, it was clear each and every one revelled in the relaxed atmosphere, friendly banter and, most of all, the memories.

Crticially, revealed Miller, Wolves didn't just win the match that day but the warm-up too.

He said: "Our fans were amazing. When we went out for the warm up, there were hardly any Sheffield United fans at their end of the ground but our end was just a sea of gold and black.

"Psychologically, that was a big moment – I think we knew at that moment it was our day."

Butler agreed: "On the way to the stadium, our coach driver got lost and brought us in around the Sheffield end. This was like, two hours before kick off and there were not many of their fans around then.

"We drove round the corner and into a wall of gold and black. It was a massive lift."

Of course Warnock, a controversial figure at the best of times, was at the heart of the story and the subject of some canny pre-match gamesmanship from Jones.

This was the former Wolves manager's first opportunity to revel in his finest hour since his abrupt departure from the club 18 months later and he clearly relished the opportunity – as well as the long overdue show of affection from the punters.

Jones said: "Neil had rang me before the final and asked me if I was on a bonus for winning. I said 'why?' and he said 'cos you're not going to get it.'

"I get on well with him, probably one of the few who do, but we made sure we went to see the officials before the match to remind them 'hey – they've got a numpty as a manager and he's going to try to run the game from the dug-out.

"It's up to you guys to be strong."

Warnock was true to form and Blackwell took up the story of the devastating sequence of events at half-time in the Blades dressing room.

He said: "At 2-0 we thought we would still have a chance. We had had a successful season and had been 2-0 down against Forest in the semi-final and pulled that round.

"But then Kenny Miller popped in with that third and we reached the dressing room pretty stunned. Quiet.

"Suddenly, in marches referee Steve Bennett and not just him but the Football League assessor, the secretary, police stewards, everyone and points at Neil and says 'Warnock – you're off.'

"That was the team talk gone for a burton. I was getting ready for the second half expecting to be radio-linked to Neil but I was getting nothing in my earpiece.

"I grabbed one of the staff and said 'where the hell is he?' And he said 'he's in the dressing room still – in tears.'

"He was too."

Warnock's misery – something he will hope to avenge when he brings his Queens Park Rangers team to renew battle at Molineux tomorrow – meant utter delight for Wolves fans of course.

Just how highly this occasion is regarded in the club's ledger was reflected in an auction, which saw the match shirts of Blake and Newton raise nearly £2,000 between them.

It was left to Murray to put a poignant cap on proceedings.

He said: "Days like that are what it's all about," he said. "I know I've had my injuries and I've had to retire but I would have another 100 operations for one day like that."