FA Cup: Luck of the Tatter as Wolves fans hit the road to Liverpool

Tatter coaches have only been running for just this season – but each time they have been put for on for fans, Wolves have not lost a game.

It is a statistic that organiser Richard Perkins, aged 38 from Tettenhall Wood, has called 'unbelievable'.

The latest trip was the hour and a half journey from Wolverhampton to Liverpool, which carried more than one hundred fans who witnessed Wolves' heroic 2-1 victory in the FA Cup.

Richard, who publishes the Wolves fanzine magazine called 'The Tatter', said demand has grown massively since the start of the season.

This is because, as part of the service, former players will travel up with fans on each trip, and food and non-alcoholic drinks are also offered on the journeys.

"It is the little things and attention to detail," said Richard.

"But fans get the opportunity to ask questions and speak to the players they supported. The popularity has grown massively.

"The trip to Anfield was our ninth one I have run, and we haven't seen Wolves lose a game since then, which is unbelievable really.

"I have radio stations calling me up, asking me what the scores will be."

The trip to Anfield saw former Wolves goalkeeper Phil Parkes, and former midfielder Steve Daley, take part in a question and answer session with fans over the loudspeaker as they travelled up on the coaches.

Parkes recalled his time as a goalkeeper, when he would play with no gloves.

He also recalled his time spent playing in America, and playing with the likes of George Best, Pelé and Johan Cruyff.

Colin Taylor, Tony Dinning, Mel Eves, Neil Edwards, John Purdie and Jody Craddock have also been on Tatter trips this season.

Tatter coaches were run at the start of the season when Wolves travelled to Rotherham in the Championship, which ended 2-2.

Remarkably, on each of the match days they have been run since, Wolves have not suffered a defeat.

Richard said he will be looking to get more ex-players involved with the trips.

"Matt Murray and Steve Froggatt said they are interested,"he said.

Fans had a field day during the trip to Anfield.

The Journey began at around 7.30am, when five coaches organised by 'The Tatter' picked players up from outside the Wheatsheaf pub in Wolverhampton city centre.

They were in full voice – singing chants such as 'Wolves Ay We' and 'When the Wolves go marching in' – as the coaches hit the road. They made sure to drape Wolves flags inside the coaches.

The supporters stopped off in Ellesmere Port before the match for a drink and bite to eat before making their way to Anfield.

Fans in the away stands burst into jubilant celebrations at full-time whistle when Wolves beat Liverpool 2-1 in the fourth round of the FA Cup, which was one of their biggest Cup shocks in the club's history.

After the game, fans and former Wolves players were over the moon with the result.

The next trip will be when Wolves head to Reading in March.

Tickets cost around £20 for Tatter coaches. For more information, visit www.tattertravels.co.uk