Wolves pay tribute to Hall of Fame heroes
Wolves have once again paid tribute to the heroes of yesteryear– as the club added its own dismay to this week's Football Association snub of its greatest-ever player.
The fourth round of inductions to the Molineux Hall of Fame last night saw legendary manager Major Frank Buckley, multi-medal winning goalkeeper Malcolm Finlayson, much-loved wing favourite Dave Wagstaffe and goalscoring partner supreme Andy Mutch added to the roll call of honour now sited in the club's new museum.
And this fresh display of fierce pride in the club's history, and the key figures who shaped it, came with a sharp response from Molineux in the row about Billy Wright's omission from the specially-designed gold mosaic logo issued by the FA this week to mark its 150th anniversary.
Wolves fans are in uproar that Wright, England and world football's first player to represent his country 100 times, was nowhere to be seen in a design featuring 32 'iconic images' o reflect the nation's football history.
The FA defended the montage as a "small detail" in the overall commemorative package, but Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey began last night's celebration by making clear Molineux's displeasure at the design.
Moxey said: "You can rest assured we have been in touch with the FA to register our feelings at an omission we find bewildering.
"Neither are we impressed by the lame excuse from the FA we have read in the Express & Star."
The comments brought a spontaneous ovation from nearly 300 diners who lapped up the historic footage and recollections of the stars as they each took their turn in the spotlight.
It culminated in team-mates Robbie Dennison, Andy Thompson and, inevitably, Steve Bull welcoming 1980s striker Mutch - scorer of 106 goals in 338 games - into the Hall of Fame.
Dennison said: "Bully's goalscoring was in a class of its own. But for Mutchy to have registered a one-in-three strike rate over more than 300 games is outstanding.
"And it would have been even more had he ever learned the offside rule!"
The iconic 1954 defeat of Honved was also inducted but perhaps the most emotional ovation of the night was reserved for 'Waggy.'
The celebrated left-winger of the 1960s and 1970s who was caught on the hop by a special message of appreciation – from Buckingham Palace.
Wagstaffe has become a regular holidaymaker on the Balmoral Estate and Wolves arranged for a letter of congratulations on behalf of the Queen.
