Wolves legends pay tribute to John 'Foz' Hendley

Foz, who has died at the age of 67, was a hugely popular figure with players dating back to his first involvement with the club in the late 1980s.

Though he did not officially become a Wolves employee until 1999, Foz was a familiar face at Molineux from when he began writing historical pieces for the programme.

His duties would, on occasion, even extend further during one of the toughest periods in the club’s history.

Record goalscorer Bull said: “Foz was like a brick in the wall at Molineux. You always expected him to be there.

“From the moment I joined Wolves, he was always around and we became good friends.

“Back in the Fourth Division days he would help the club out in any way he could.

“We’d arrive at away games to find him laying out the kit. He was part of the furniture and the players loved him.

“His knowledge of the club was incredible. What he didn’t know about Wolves, wasn’t worth knowing.

“He could remember more about my own career than I did! I knew if I ever needed to find out a bit of information, I could just call Foz.

“The last time we spoke was when Wolves played at home to Ipswich. I can’t quite get my head round the fact I won’t see him again. He will be desperately missed.”

Mike Stowell was among the players with whom Foz struck up a firm friendship, which lasted well beyond the goalkeeper’s 11 years at Molineux.

The pair’s pre-match video previews, recorded for supporters travelling on the club’s official coaches, became the stuff of comedy legend.

Stowell, now first team coach at Leicester, said: “Foz was a diamond of a bloke.

“He would do anything for Wolves and he had a fantastic rapport with the players.

“The two of us hit it off straight away and we became close friends. I spent numerous summers abroad with Foz on golfing trips. We socialised together.

“He had a great sense of humour and loved a wind-up.

“He didn’t mind being the butt of a joke and he could dish it out too.”

Foz’s many jobs at Wolves included being contributor and then editor of the official programme, winning numerous awards in the process.

He also assisted in the day-to-day running of the press office and served as club historian, writing several books about the club’s past.

“The job he did for the club was phenomenal,” added Stowell. “He simply didn’t want to do anything else and he would be at Molineux non-stop. He would have slept there if he had to.

“He enjoyed being part of it. Foz wasn’t just a man in a job - he was passionate about it and he took a genuine interest in other people.

“Whether you played one or 1,000 games for Wolves, he would remember you. He connected people. Every football club needs a Foz.”