The ex-Wolf - Andy Thompson

I was a schoolboy at West Bromwich Albion in 1986 when it came up.

They'd just got relegated the year before, I played 28 games for the first team and manager Ron Saunders said 'we've had an offer, we've accepted it, go and have a chat with them'.

He told me somebody else was coming down with me and of course it was Bully.

I'm a Wolverhampton lad but it was a difficult decision at the time.

West Brom had a really lovely stadium and Wolves were run down, but I always had a feeling for the club, I used to watch them occasionally when I was younger and then when I joined I never looked back.

Tell us about your Wolves manager(s).

Graham Turner signed me, he'd just got appointed.

He was great, he was all for team spirit, he brought in five or six players with Bully, Robbie Dennison, Keith Downing and others and as well as those already there it all just gelled.

Graham was really successful and knew what kind of style he wanted. He was pretty direct because of Mutchy and Bully and it worked, but unfortunately when we got higher up the leagues Graham got the sack.

Graham Taylor took over and was very thorough, very professional in his approach and very meticulous and I really got on well with him.

Then he got the sack too and Mark McGhee replaced him.

I never really got on that well with Mark. I was involved in the team but Mark wanted changes in the club, my contract was up and he wanted his own kind of people in.

Best memory at the club?

For a Fourth Division club to have that many fans at Wembley showed you the potential that Wolves had.

The atmosphere was absolutely brilliant and to top it off we won.

Worst memory at the club?

The year after the Sherpa Van we were in the area final. We were 1-0 down at Torquay in the first leg and by the end we won 2-1.

Everybody booked the coaches to Wembley presuming we'd be going back and then on the second leg at home we lost 2-0.

That was a big blow - the expectation was to do what we had the year before.

Then the play-offs, especially the Bolton one. We should have won 5-0 at home but Jason McAteer got the away goal and we've gone to Bolton and the John McGinley incident happened when he should have been sent off.

I just wish we'd got to the final. That was the one thing I wished I'd done, play in the Premier League with Wolves.

Most talented player you played with at Wolves?

Bully, of course, was fantastic and got in the England team.

He was the best one at doing the job he was put there to do, scoring 306 goals is incredible.

Paul Cook was a very good player who went on to play in the Premier League. Mark Burke was very talented ability wise. Phil Robinson as well came down the leagues and was excellent.

You understand people like that because it's easy to give up, but he came down the leagues to play football.

We had some good players down there. That was the one thing Wolves was built on, that team spirit.

That was lost a bit when they started spending money. There was a little bit of jealousy where players who'd been there for a while didn't get rewarded, there was a gulf in the wages.

A few players got left behind a bit even if they'd served the club well.

Favourite goal in a Wolves shirt?

One in the FA Cup game against Ipswich was a very memorable one (Thompson scored from 25 yards with his left foot).

Lee Mills scored the other one that night and we won. You practice them in training and when it does come off it's always good. That was one of my best.

I scored a couple of headers in a week as well which was special with my height!

I managed to score quite a few over the years, a lot of penalties but they all added up.

Did you get on well with the fans?

I was one who gave 100 per cent, they knew I'd give my all.

People doubt the players of today that they haven't got their heart in it but fans appreciate those who give effort.

There was nothing better than them singing my name.

I appreciated everything they did for me, there were 24,500 at my testimonial against Chelsea and that was special.

How did you end up leaving Wolves? Any regrets?

When I left the club it was quite emotional as I didn't want to leave.

I was a bit surprised at the time but I didn't really get on that well with Mark McGhee or fit into his plans.

I was a free agent and there were a few clubs after me. I spoke to Notts County and Huddersfield Town and then Tranmere Rovers.

John Aldridge was the Tranmere manager and Kevin Sheedy his assistant. I just loved the feel of the club. I had three really great years.

My only regret was not playing in the Premier League for my hometown club.

Thoughts on the current Wolves team?

I got to see them quite a bit last year. Kenny Jackett's got the nucleus of a very good team and there's no reason why they shouldn't be pushing on for promotion.

Because of the quality of the players they were always going to be a big threat in the Championship.

Jackett has the same ideas as Graham Taylor, who he worked under, wanting players who give 100 per cent.

He's bought well and he's got the right blend and this year they'll be there or thereabouts.

It's unfortunate they've lost Bakary Sako but they've got Dicko, Afobe, McDonald, Batth, Ikeme who was probably the best keeper in the league.

You've got the young lads coming through too like Iorfa as well so it's looking good.

What are you up to now?

I'm teaching in Derby, I've been there for eight years now.

I got a degree in sport and dragged along with that doing a teaching course doing secondary school teaching for PE.

The kids always ask how much money I was on. And then who was the best player I played with, who's going to win the league.

Most of them are Derby fans though so they don't like it if I say Wolves!

* Andy Thompson played for Wolves from 1986 to 1997. He made 452 appearances and scored 45 goals.