Comment: The perfect day to cap off Wolves' tremendous season
If ever there was an “I was there” day, this was it.
Wolverhampton was engulfed by a sea of gold and black as the city united as one to celebrate this most brilliant of seasons.
They hadn’t seen anything like it here for 15 years, when Wolverhampton last marked a footballing success story in such a manner for Wolves’ 2003 promotion to the Premier League.
That’s how rare these days come about and my did they make the most of it on a gloriously sunny Bank Holiday Monday. It would have been a special day whatever the weather, but the gorgeous sunshine and soaring temperatures made it perfect.
Everywhere you looked in town there was a swarm of gold and black shirts, flags and banners.
Some keen supporters got their spot on the parade route hours in advance to get the best vantage point of their heroes and come 11.30am the place was heaving. Over at West Park the party was starting early with 30,000 people cramming into a mini festival area complete with stage, big screens, bars and a fun fair.
Then, after a civic reception, the stars of the show made their grand entrance with Nuno Espirito Santo, his staff and players sending the large crowds crazy outside the art gallery.
The two buses made their way down Lichfield Street where tens of thousands lined the route. The Man on the Oss has never quite seen anything like it. Gold flares and horns added to the carnival atmosphere which the players lapped up as they proudly showed off the glittering Championship trophy.
Having snaked its way through town the bus stopped at West Park where the players were introduced on stage one by one in front of an adoring crowd who’d been warmed up by Matt Murray, Steve Bull and that man again, Tito Jackson.
Then came Nuno’s big entrance. The head coach was said to be ‘cold and emotionless’ during his time at previous club Porto...well Wolverhampton has transformed him into a passionate, emotional, grinning, charismatic bundle of energy who plays to the crowd perhaps quite like no other Wolves boss has.
He whipped the 30,000 into a frenzy, leading the chants including his own ditty ‘Nuno had a dream’.
The players were in their element, experiencing something that almost all of them never have in their careers again, and perhaps never will.
Then it was off to Starworks to carry on the party, which continued long into the night.
Fosun, Nuno, the players, the staff and yes, the fans, they’ve all made this possible and yesterday was one of the many rewards that come with such brilliant success.
If Wolves carry on as they intend, this won’t be the last “I was there” day in this great city.
