Wolves FC: A Premier League Contender

The Wolverhampton Wanderers, also known as Wolves, were formed in 1877 under the name St. Luke's F.C., by John Baynton and John Brodie after merging with Blakenhall Wanderers two years later in 1879 (source). The club turned professional in 1888 when they became one of the twelve founder members of the Football League.

Wolves suffered early struggles but had some successes too. Their first major success came in winning the FA Cup final against Everton with a scoreline of 1-0 in 1893 (source).

Notable players from this era include Billy Malpass who scored Wolves' first competitive goal and Harry Allen who was part of the team that won their first ever trophy.

One could argue that Wolves enjoyed their most successful period during the late 1950s under manager Stan Cullis. They lifted three First Division titles (1954, 1958, and 1959) alongside an FA Cup win (1960).

Legendary players like Billy Wright, arguably Wolves' greatest ever player made his debut during this era. Not only did he make over 500 appearances for Wolves but he was also England’s first centurion – earning his hundredth cap against Scotland at Wembley on April 11th, 1959 (source).

Another key figure from this period is Jimmy Mullen, who holds the record for most consecutive league appearances (171 between March 1946 to November 1949).

A quote from Stan Cullis encapsulates this golden era perfectly: "The great days at Molineux are inextricably woven into the pattern of my life. I lived, breathed, and slept them for the best part of thirty years."

Wolves' main rivals are West Bromwich Albion with their matches known as 'Black Country derby'. The rivalry dates back to 1883 when they first faced each other.

Significant matches include a 5-1 victory for West Brom at Molineux in 2012 (source), while Wolves fans will fondly remember a 3-1 triumph at The Hawthorns in May 1993 that secured promotion to the Premier League.

These derbies have been characterized by high tension and passionate support from both sets of fans which contributes greatly to team's identity and fan culture.

Molineux Stadium is home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, opening its doors in 1889. It has seen numerous renovations over time, most recently being developed during the early 1990s. Today it holds up to approximately 32,000 spectators (source).

The atmosphere generated by fervent supporters inside this historical ground can be intimidating for visiting teams; there's nothing quite like a packed Molineux on a matchday.

Notable games held here include Wolves’ famous victories against Honved (1954) and Manchester United (2020).

Wolves boast a diverse fan base drawn from across Wolverhampton city but also stretching far beyond due to their historic success. Many generations have supported Wolves - some even travelling from abroad - contributing to an eclectic mix of age groups among its loyal followers.

A notable fan group is ‘North Bank’, named after one end of Molineux stadium where these die-hards reside during home games.

Traditions include the famous 'Ay We' chant and the use of liquidator song before kick-off. The players also traditionally do a lap of honour after their final home game, to thank fans for their season-long support (source).

1. Winning the club's first FA Cup in 1893.
2. Lifting back-to-back First Division titles in 1954 and again in 1958 under Stan Cullis.
3. Billy Wright making his debut, going on to make over 500 appearances for Wolves.
4. Securing an emphatic victory against Hungarian giants Honved at Molineux stadium (1954).
5. Jimmy Mullen setting a record for most consecutive league appearances between March 1946 and November
6. Winning promotion to Premier League with a win against rivals West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns (1993).
7. Opening newly renovated Molineux Stadium (1993).
8. Beating Manchester City with a last-minute winner by Adama Traore (2019) (source).
9. Defeating Spanish side Espanyol in Round of 32 of Europa League which marked their return to European competition after almost four decades absence(2020) (source). 10.Promotion from Championship as winners, earning record breaking points total (2018).