Wolves legend Steve Bull was appointed Stafford Rangers boss today and declared: “It’s time I came out of the comfort zone.”
Bull took on the task of trying to inspire what would be a remarkable survival mission with Rangers 11 points from safety at the bottom of the Blue Square Premier.
But with games in hand on their immediate rivals, the man who rose from the factory floor to England World Cup duty in a goal-packed Molineux career bounced into Marston Road with typical enthusiasm and optimism.
See today’s Express & Star for all the latest on Bully, including Martin Swain’s exclusive interview with the Wolves legend
“I’ve been around this game for 20-odd years now and I’m grateful for everything that it has given me,” said Bull.
“But I needed this kick up the backside. I want to give it a go.
“It’s not a question of being bored. I love what I do now. I can go around and shake hands with people, tell the stories, work with my events company and the charity events for Promise Dreams.
“But I needed something else and this is it.
“I’ve been in a comfort zone and it’s time to come out of it. This is a good challenge and I don’t think it’s a lost cause either.
“I look at the league and see that we have three games in hand – win them and suddenly we’re in touch again with everything to play for.
“That’s the attitude I’m taking into it. I’m not going to go in there and be a miracle worker.
“Of course, I will be planning for next year and anything I can get out of this season I will look on as a bonus. I am going to do everything I can to try to keep us in this division.”
Bull will begin by taking a watching brief on Rangers next two games, starting at Halifax on Saturday, and working alongside caretakers Kevin Street and Neil Grayson.
His first match under direct control will be at home to Farsley Celtic on March 1 – and he is hoping his enduring popularity will bring immediate benefits.
“Wolves fans who have been magnificent to me down the years – and I need you more than ever now,” he said.
33 Comments
Good Luck Bully
Hopefully Wolves fans will back Bully and Stafford Rangers.
Also hope some of Wolves youngsters are allowed to go to Stafford Rangers on loan.
Good Luck Bully I hope you are as successful at managing as you were at scoring cos boy will you be some manager.
well done Bro, family are proud and we are with ya all the way!! Bully Returns!!!!
i will be down there watching them if wolves haven’t got a game to see 11 lads who actually want to play football for their love of the sport!!
good luck bully!!
Good Luck Bully There will be Wolves fans at Manor Road 1/03 to cheer you on especially me
Stevie Bulls a tatter
All the very best to Bully in his new job. I shall certainly be looking out for Stafford’s results with eager anticipation from now on.Well done to Stafford for giving him this chance shame on wolves for not offering him a job in some sort of training capacity,lets forget this stupid obsession that Paul Ince is the man in waiting Steve Bull is the man in waiting.As Alan Shearer is to Newcastle,Steve Bull is to wolves.OOH BULLY BULLY OOH BULLY BULLY!!!!!
All the best to Bully - a true midlands legend and I hope it works out for him. He may become the first person to have a stand named after him at TWO clubs!
2 - maybe the loans should come the other way ??
Good luck SGB….I hope this is the start of a long happy management career for you.
As i don’t ever want to watch WWFC while Moxey and MM are at the helm thanks Steve for rescuing my saturdays at least i know you will try to put your best team out there every game .. GOOD LUCK SON . Englands No 9
Go for it Bully -
will be supporting you all the way…
Welcome to the Marston Road Madhouse Steve - first challenge, see if you can get Stan the Man to put his boots back on for the club who put him on the way to stardom in the first place lol!
We’re not short of ability or enthusiasm, just luck and money - hopefully the luck at least has just changed, and a few full-house gates at Marston Road should sort the money angle out too!
thank heavens. I can now go and watch my hero. I will never ever go back to Molineaux as long as JM & MM are at the helm the club is rotten to the core. Good luck Bully.. Englands last great No 9
U2 Wolf - non league football has existed before Bully went to Stafford.
This is a disaster waiting to happen. I doubt he’ll even last until the end of the season. Stafford are a part time club in a full time league and are out of their depth. They will get relegated for sure, and if Bully thinks he’ll make a success of the Conference North next season then good luck to him because it’s a tough bloody league full of managers with bags of experience at that level; and clubs with plenty of cash to throw about.
However, I sincerely wish him well and can only hope that it all works out for him.
Lol Happy Baggie, I think you’re right mate!
Maybe we could do some shifty player trades.
Good luck to Bully, I really hope he does well, it would be great to be seeing him on tele again in the world of football.
Speaking as a Wolves fan from Stafford. Its fantastic news Good Luck Bully. Maybe you can get Stan back out of retirement?
I think the other guy was right I am not sure who the Wolves could spare to loan out at the moment?
Staffords on the map at last J14 of the M6 to be precise.
After reading No 2 i had a very sharp witty comment to make…..
but then H_B beats me too it.
Anyway all the best to the old foe, it sounds like it might be needed.
All the Best Bully! you may be with Stafford Rangers now but you will always belong to us at Wolves! xx
12- U2, please keep your promise to stay away. We don’t need fans that only come when things are going well.
Bully, best of luck to you. If effort, loyalty and pure guts, along with an underrated amount of ability will be of help, we should see Stafford Rangers improve dramatically. Thank-you for all of the wonderful memories. You were always a joy to watch. I always knew you would be willing to run through brick walls if necessary for your beloved Wolves.
good luck bully with the job in hand
If some of this bloke rubs off onto just one or two of their players, Stafford have every chance.
I wondered what I was going to do now my early bird is in the bin, this is it!!
Good luck Bully you are a hero. Will defo be going on march the 1st as wolves are away at colchester and stafford (I assume) could do with all the extra gate money they can get.
all the best god!! im sure you will make a sucess of it down there, its going to be a big ask but with your passion and knowledge you just never know do you!!
stafford fans expect a flurry of wolves fans supporting bully and your club!!
Well done cuz! Me and Sid will be down there supporting you. All the best.
stafford rangers have just become the best supported non league team in history!
Now we have 3 teams to support - Wolves
Stafford Rangers
and whoever is playing Albion! (JK HB)
Good Luck Bully
All the best Bully, Tony and Colin will be down to support you and SRFC. We’ve bin away to Burton already and we’re going to Kiddi,
Management tip…work hardest at the things you think you going to struggle with now and you’ll not fall short.If you can do that then the things you’re good at will fall into place as a matter of course. Another one is
Listen to people and then after you’ve done it listen again!
March 1st we’ll be there so come on Rangers..the last two victories have made a big difference, so fear no-one!
24 - Is not bad enough that you support one losing team, not 3!!!!!!
Good Luck Bully, having to have put put with the fickle wolves fans for most of your career you deserve a break
I am going to a few matches up in stafford, be good to see the great man keep Rangers up. I bet there will be a few other wolves fans making the exodus!
hopefully one day you will manage wolves
Nice posts Baggies, gentle pops but genuine good wishes. Thank you.
Well done Steve
You deserve it
Staffords gain is Wolves loss
Good luck Bully, will come to see SR one day when we’re not playing, shame it wasn’t last Tuesday
All the best Steve. I have a soft spot for Rangers, as my Grandad played for them in the 1890’s. He had a medal as their top scorer (from the right wing). I believe he had trails and could have played for Wolves. Again all the best and I’ll be watching the Rangers results.