Wolves fans enjoy party in the park

Green lawns vanished under a sea of gold and black as almost 5,000 ecstatic Wolves fans transformed West Park into a mini-Molineux for a special live screening of the cup presentation.

It was the moment they thought they might miss but the special transmission meant that fans who could not get tickets for the game shared the instant when their heroes lifted the Championship trophy.

They brought picnic blankets, deckchairs and party food, creating a carnival atmosphere all of their own just a stone's throw from where it was all happening for real.

Flags declaring 'We Shall Not Be Moved' were waved aloft and a continuous chorus of continental horns left passers-by in no doubt that something momentous was happening.

And just when they thought it couldn't get any better, the big screen began transmitting the last 15 minutes of the game, which meant fans shared the sight of Richard Stearman's last-minute winner.

As the final whistle sounded, fans broke into a joyful rendering of Hi-ho Wolverhampton and there were cheers when Wolves owner Steve Morgan appeared on screen to thank fans for all their support. "This is the proudest day of my life," he told them.

Some fans had travelled miles to join in the festivities, but none further than the Marshall family who drove from Aberdeen to see the lifting of the trophy. Making the 800-mile round trip were former Wulfrunian, 47-year-old Andrew Marshall and his children James, 14, and Alice, 11, and their cousins Sophie Hyde, 14, and her sister Zoe, 13, who both travelled up from Devon.

When he was unable to get tickets for the game, the life-long Wolves fan, an oil industry engineer, decided to go to the park instead.

He said: "I've managed to get to four games this season, including the QPR match when we clinched promotion. I knew we were going to do it this season. I go to London a lot so I'll be timing my visits to take in some Premiership games."

Another long-distance traveller Matthew Wilkes, originally from Curzon Street, Blakenhall, missed out on the promotion party at Cardiff six years ago because he was in hospital and was determined not to miss out this time.

The 26-year-old, wearing a two-foot tall Wolves hat, moved to Wigan two years ago and brought partner Joanne Cunningham and their baby son Gareth with him for yesterday's celebrations.

Matthew said: "Lancashire is a beautiful place but Wolverhampton is heaven. This season was a massive achievement, particularly to be at the top for most of that time.

"Blues challenged us but in the end the gold and black won through. Mick's the right man for the job. If they give him the right funding, he'll see us through and I can even see us finishing in the top seven."

Car hire company manager Mark Corcoran, 38, of Wheeler Road, Wednesfield, was with his Cypriot girlfriend Anna Tsinontas, 36, and her son William, six. He said: "I'm not even a Wolves fan, I support Manchester United, but it's been a great afternoon out."

Sister Debbie Corcoran, of the Lyndale Park Estate, Wednesfield, was there with her twins Callum and Ellie.

The 36-year-old, who works on the Wedgwood counter at the House of Fraser, Wolverhampton, said: "It's been a real family occasion."

Teaching assistant Anita Essex, 42, of Silveth Way, Wednesfield, who was with daughter Sophie, 12, brought a picnic. She said: "We've got wine, sandwiches, salad and sausage rolls. It's been great. The atmosphere has been so relaxed.

"We don't go to the games anymore because we're a bit hesitant to take the kids, so this was a brilliant opportunity to enjoy the team's success as a family. We've seen a little bit of history."

Wolves brought 29-year-old Emma Legge and her husband Adam together after they met at a wedding reception at the Molineux.

The couple, who own a craft shop, Prima Crafts in Sedgley, together had brought their children William, four and six-year-old Sophie.

Emma, a talented face painter, who spent much of the afternoon colouring black and gold designs on the faces of friends' children, said: "We just had to be here. After meeting Adam, who is a massive Wolves fan, I changed universities from Birmingham to Wolverhampton. We can't get to games on a Saturday because of the business so coming to the park was a great way to celebrate."

Goodrich engineer Steven Blakemore just made it back home to Wombourne from a two-week work trip to San Diego in time for the trophy celebrations.

The father-of-two, of Ounsdale Road, was with three-year-old son Theo, six-year-old daughter Izzie, and wife Joanne, who used to be a Molineux season-ticket holder.

She said: "I used to be a season ticket holder before the children came along so I've really enjoyed getting involved today and showing a bit of support for the team.

"I was at Cardiff when we went up through the play-offs and being here is nearly as good."

Contracts manager Neil Goode, 40, of Chapel Street, Wombourne, is looking forward to next season.

"I used to go to matches in the old days, the Andy Much and Steve Bull era. Let's hope we make a good show of it this time. We should learn by past mistakes and spend some money," he said.

Fan Dean Davies, who was with 14-year-old son Dale, has had to put up with plenty of jibes from his Baggies neighbours in Oakley Avenue, Tipton, over recent years.

"Now it's time for me to lord it over them," said the 39-year-old Stourbridge College assessor.

"I'm definitely going to games next season – Mick is God," he added.

The last time Wolves won promotion, Denise Bona, 43, was in hospital giving birth – and allowed her Wolves-mad husband to name their new son after three of the Wolves players.

She was at the park yesterday with with husband Neil, a kitchen fitter, and Nathan Mark Miller, now six, named after Nathan Blake, Mark Kennedy and Kenny Miller.

"Neil was on his way to Cardiff when my waters broke – he asked whether I wanted him to come back but I told him to carry on, I knew what it meant to him," said Denise, of Moseley Road, Willenhall. "This time, I've been able to enjoy going up in a bit more comfort." Sister-in-law Linda Bona, 46, of Primrose Avenue, Bushbury, related to the late Wolves player Bill Shorthouse, found the ideal shelter from the wind, a gold and black tent.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw it in Somerfield's, it's been just the job.

"Whenever we've had a barbecue over the last few weeks, my husband's pegged out his old Wolves shirts from the last 20 years all around the garden."

Wheelchair-bound Mary Carless, aged 87, was brought to the screening by friend Renee Bott, 69, from nearby West Park Hospital.

Former season-ticket holder Renee, of Wednesfield, who attended games between 1970s-90s, said: "This is the first time she's been out for seven weeks, she's been so excited about coming."

David Evans, 40, and wife Susan, 39, of Leveson Road, Ashmore Park, got out their Wolves scarves for only a brief appearance at the park.

David said: "We just came for 10 minutes – we just wanted to be here for that moment when they lifted the cup – it was fantastic."