It's really difficult for everyone at the moment, especially for the
supporters who have only known success, but after two fantastic years
in Disneyland we've now got to get used to Peter Pan's and show our
true support for the club and what a better way to do that then a day
out to Wolverhampton, well Molineux anyway, one of the true great UK
grounds and always a pleasure to see the Blues play.
Though not the last time.......a 1-4 defeat in front of 25,095 fans,
Rammall getting our consolation in April '97. (I do remember,
Thompson I think, being one on one just in front of us early in the
second half when only one down and missing by inches....."we thought
we had scored!", it could have been so different, maybe!)
This added to a record of 8 defeats in 17 with 5 wins and 4 draws.
(So a 50% unbeaten record to hold onto!) One of the wins coming in
Peter Taylor's reign after a record 7 succesive defeats, "I'm not
going to bloody Wolves now", I defiantly said, as Gary Jones got the
winner from a corner. So there's always hope, they are not in the
best of runs and flucked a couple of 1-0 wins v Colchester and
Coventry.
Here's manager Mike Mcarthy; "A few choice words were said in the
dressing room, Southampton started well and we didn't, (they lost 0-
2), but as the game settled down we had as much possession as they
did but we didn't hurt them."
"We can pass the ball about, but we can't afford to have a soft
centre and give goals away.
"That's the first match, other than for 45 minutes at Barnsley, where
we haven't created chances.
"This was probably billed as a much win game for Southampton and now
Southend is a must win game for us. There's no dressing that up."
That 1-4 reverse was not our worst defeat against the Wolves, that
was a 0-5 away defeat in September '94! Our first ever league game
against them we won 2-1, also away, goals from Mr. Ling and (Super)
Roy McDonough. (However the first actual game was a League Cup tie in
September 1968 when against a then top Wanderers side, we were in
Division 4, we outplayed them for long periods and this 12 year old
in his second away game broke into tears, before Geordies made it a
fashion statement, when we lost to a last minute goal. The whole of
their home end sung "Southend United" over and over at the end,
different days!
Our best win was 3-1 in March '89, David Crown with a double, 1 pen.,
and some bloke called Tilson, I bet he wishes he could get on the
pitch again, in fact if he plays Clarke in midfield he would probably
look the better player. (Maher has been our most consistant player,
don't mess him up with Clarke getting in the way. I'm sorry but when
managers start playing players out of position something is wrong,
back to the basics that have made us so competitive over the last two
years. There's no need to panic Tilly, yet!!)
The stunning Molineux ground has been completely rebuilt in recent
years, with the oldest stand, then called the John Ireland Stand
(since renamed the Steve Bull Stand and the end for Southend fans)
being opened in 1979. Three other stands were then built in the early
1990's with the Jack Harris Stand the last to be completed in
December 1993. The stadium itself is superb and is made up of four
separate stands, complete with a couple of posh video screens in two
corners, which show the game as it is being played. Both ends are
large single tiered stands (one of which the Stan Cullis Stand has a
small clock perched on its roof), whilst both sides are two tiered
with a row of executive boxes along the middle. Both the side stands
are unusual in being oval in shape, meaning that those sitting on the
half way line are furthest away from the playing action. It is a pity
that the stands do not go all the way around the ground, (the corners
of the ground are largely open) as this would make it a truly
wonderful stadium. In one corner between the Jack Harris & Billy
Wright Stands, there is a temporary seated stand (known as the Graham
Hughes Stand), the green seats of which look out of place with the
rest of the stadium. The clock on the Stan Cullis Stand, is the
original timepiece that sat atop the old Molineux Street Stand (now
the Steve Bull Stand) since the 1930's. It was moved when the stands
were re-developed.
What particularly impresses me about Molineux, is that quality shows,
getting the feeling that little expense has been spared in its
construction. This is perhaps best summed up by the two statues that
sit outside the ground. The impressive statue of Billy Wright is
probably the finest football statue located at any ground in
Britain. It sits outside the main entrance to the club offices. In
2003 the same designer, James Butler produced another statue, this
time of former player and manager Stan Cullis, that is located by the
entrance to the ticket office at the back of the stand bearing the
mans name.
Away fans are normally housed on one side of the Jack Harris stand at
one end of the ground, where around 2,000 fans can be accommodated.
For games where there is a larger away following, then the away
supporters are not given an 'end' as such, but are instead housed in
the lower tier of the Steve Bull Stand which runs along the side of
the pitch. Up to 3,200 away supporters can be accommodated in this
area. Fans are sat quite far back from the playing area, which gives
the illusion that the pitch is larger than at most other grounds.
The catering facilities within the ground are pretty good, serving a
good range of pies, hot dogs and burgers (£2.20). Pies include the
delicious 'Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie' (£2.20).
A drink in the city centre before the game is OK however......I
personally have experienced only one problem on my visits, when I was
told after the 1-4 defeat by four big Wolverhampton lads that,"your
lucky we won(!)", and I have heard of a number of reports of others
that have equally not been so lucky. It is strongly advised that
colours are kept covered around the ground and city centre (and that
goes for your cars too). I have also heard of objects and other
unmentionables being thrown down on away supporters from the upper
tier of the Steve Bull Stand. The Club are trying to stamp this out,
but it may be an idea to wear that 'lucky' cap if your teams fans are
to be housed in this area!
There are a number of pubs dotted around the ground, but they tend to
be 'members only' for home fans. The Great Western, behind
Wolverhampton train station has been recommended and I have
enjoyed a good pint of real ale (Holdens & Bathams) there myself.
However the pub is only really suitable for small numbers of away
fans who are not wearing colours. To find this pub; turn right out of
the train station entrance, walk along its frontage and go down
through the new looking underpass. Then turn right, and walk out of
the old Low Level Station and its in front of you on the opposite
side of the road. The Prince Albert also nearby to the train station
should be avoided by away supporters. The ground is also in walking
distance of the city centre, where there are plenty of watering holes
including an obligatory Weatherspoons. However, some of them can be
quite partisan so use your discretion and again covers should be
covered. If you are coming down the A449 from the M6, then
approximately four miles from the city centre there is a pub called
the Moreton Arms which serves good meals at reasonable prices.
From Southend and all points South leave the M6 at Junction 10 and
take the A454 towards Wolverhampton. Continue to follow the A454
right into Wolverhampton (be wary of speed cameras on the A454). On
reaching the traffic island that intersects with the ring road, turn
right. As you approach the 2nd set of lights look for the signs for
football parking. The ground is over the 2nd set of lights on the
right. Alternatively if you turn left into the city centre you may
find a space in one of the many council run 'pay & display' car
parks. The Civic Hall car park normally remains open.
By train the ground is walkable from the train station in the centre
of city (15 minutes). Leave the station and proceed straight on
towards the town centre and as you reach the inner ring road turn
right. Just follow the ring road as it continues in a circular
pattern around to the left. Eventually you will see the Molineux on
the right.
Record & Average Attendance
Record Attendance:
61,305 v Liverpool
FA Cup 5th Round, February 11th, 1939.
Modern All Seated Attendance Record:
29,396 v Manchester United
Premier League, January 16th, 2004.
Average Attendance:
2005-2006: 23,624 (Championship League)
2004-2005: 26,620 (Championship League)
2003-2004: 28,874 (Premier League)
Many thanks to the ever excellent Internet Guide to Football Grounds
and the SUFC Database for help on the above.