Revised plan for Wolves parade

Monday 25th May 2009, 12:28PM BST.

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Plans for an open-top bus parade to allow Wolves to show off the Championship trophy in front of thousands of fans have been revived, just weeks after they were given the red card due to health and safety fears.

Council bosses are setting up meetings with the club’s chief executive this week in an 11th hour bid to allow a scaled-down city centre parade of players and the trophy to go ahead.

Wolves has already dismissed the promotion parade because of concerns over litigation if people were hurt and came under fire from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health for using it as a “convenient excuse”.

But now council bosses are making a last-ditch attempt to make the plans a reality, and will be suggesting it is incorporated into the city’s Steam and Vintage rally or City Show.

Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, chairman of the council’s planning committee who helps to organise the steam rally, said: “The council is arranging meetings with the club this week. We really want this parade to go ahead. From the council’s point of view it is not over yet.

“The council has more than enough expertise to organise something like this. The club would literally have to provide a bus, a few players and the trophy and we would do the rest. Hopefully it can be incorporated as part of the parade in the Steam and Vintage show or the City Show.”

The parade plans revival has been announced after organisers told how almost double the number of traders had signed up to man market stalls at this year’s steam and vintage rally in Wolverhampton, putting it on track to be the biggest and best in its 12-year history.

It also emerged a 20,000-gallon water tank will be installed in West Park for the June extravaganza for a 999 demonstration by the fire service, police and ambulance.

Preparations are forging ahead for the festivities on June 6 and 7, which are expected to attract around 40,000 visitors.

The annual steam and vintage rally has made a name for itself as one of the most popular events on the city’s calendar and each year gives visitors a glimpse at transport from years gone.

A Battle of Britain memorial flight will to once again be one of the highlights of the free-to-enter event, and costumed actors will also be re-enacting battles from the past.

Dozens of miniature battleships will float on the lake, military vehicles from the past and present will be on show, and a special “model marquee” will be set up to give visitors a glimpse of railways, aeroplanes and vintage vehicles in mini form.

A host of beautifully-restored traction engines, motorcycles, and stationary engines will also be on display, while an area showing how people would have worked decades ago will be set up as well as a vintage funfair and nature haven.


  1. 1
    GB's Premier Yead

    The moments gone.

    You might as well get Bully, Thomo, Mutchy and Co on the parade too and we can celebrate the Sherpa Van Trophy victory at the same time.

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  2. 2
    stevebullisKING

    it is to late now they are all on holiday

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  3. 3
    Mark

    Well it’s about time!! The health and safety excuse was a pathetic attempt by the Wolverhampton council to avoid something. Anything. Come on Wolves and lets hope our supporters turn out in our thousands. Many, many thousands.

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  4. 4
    wol1877ves

    its a bit late now you council idiots this should have been done ages ago

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  5. 5
    BANNER/WOLVES

    I think it was a disgrace that this never went ahead, and also the last day parade inside the ground was very poor.
    Apart from the North Bank the other stands recieved a very dis-jointed show of the trophy and the players.
    I wonder what would be said if supporters did the same, Moxey would do his nut.
    No wonder us loyal supporters get fed up.
    Stop messing us about and treat us like we deserve to be treated, with integrity.

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  6. 6
    Giovanni

    …it’s too late now…even for a Greek football team it’s too late.

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  7. 7
    reidmail

    Too late, you can’t stick a bus between two steam engines now.
    Wolverhampton council, if I lived in the area I’d vote you lot out ASAP.

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  8. 8
    Stevewolf

    The reason why the parade never took place is down to the Chief Constable of Wolverhampton, it was his dissison not to allow the parade, dont blame Jez or any councillor, how come five years ago the parade took place, with only 2 to 3 days to get it ready, because it was a different Chief Constable who understood what it ment to the people of Wolverhampton, It would not suprise me if the new Cheif Constable carries a Tesco carrier bag and dresses up like Tony Mowbray at the weekends

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  9. 9
    SOUTHBANKBULLYUK

    may i suggest wolves combine it with the molineux mixers fc end of season trophy presentation?

    p.s can we borrow your trophy lol?

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  10. 10
    English Exile

    I would prefer Moxey to give us an open top bus parade of all our new signings !!!

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  11. 11
    paulio

    I think if they came around our houses and shared some bourbons and tea that would make up for it, belated yes, but it would be nice.

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  12. 12
    Happy-Wolf

    stop moaning fgs, we’re in the premier league, you wanna go on a bus go on the black country beer bus!

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  13. 13
    Mountain Wolf

    Would it be cynical of me to suggest that the enthusiasm of the council stems more from having a guaranteed crowd so that the Steam and Vintage rally – or City Show – can be hailed ‘the best ever attendance’ than from a genuine desire to celebrate Wolves’ success? Or perhaps they’re after generating a bit more income since, no doubt, the city’s traffic wardens will be out in force.

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  14. 14
    George Berrys Afro

    Banner/Wolves I’m glad you said this because I was also disappointed by the parade of the trophy at the last game, just thought I was being a bit picky. As you say it all seemed to be concentrated at the North Bank and was very fragmented by the time it got to the South Bank. However the time has gone for open top bus parades.

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  15. 15
    SteveB

    Better late than never..

    I live miles away, didn’t know about the big screen, gave up my season ticket during the Twaddle era, and desparately want to see that trophy with gold and black ribbons on!

    An open top bus parade was always the only way I was going to get the chance (along with thousands of others)to see this.

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  16. 16
    PennWolves

    At last they are considering doing SOMETHING. they did it the last time we were promoted so there is no excuse and plus they do the steam parade round the town. Hope something gets arranged so we can further celebrate the mighty wolves getting promoted!

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  17. 17
    John Spain

    Pathetic, how can Burnley organise within 2 days.

    No excuse just normal rubbish from people who should know better, perhaps they cannot claim the costs on expenses

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  18. 18
    cmwolves

    This is a joke. Albion could have a tour round their town “OLDBURY” Well done Sandwell Council.YET AGAIN W’TON COUNCIL COCK IT UP “CONGRATS”
    Who knows what next Wolves noise polution when we cheer a goal.

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  19. 19
    Ad Mant

    Saw Burnley’s celebrations on the telly last night… i wonder if we will do one if we are promoted… doh

    absolute disgrace – its time to name and shame all those who causing such a stink for the proud club who so rightly deserve the recognition

    ye shall get your come-uppance – slime of society

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  20. 20
    rogerwolf

    See Burnley had no problems – should have been done earlier – another missed oportunity to praise the team for a wonderful thing they have done not only for the City but the West Midlands as well.

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  21. 21
    Ad Mant

    oh, and its about the principal (not so)happy wolf

    the traditional football/rugby celebration is an open top bus through the streets of the city they hail from. we’re not asking for a collossus to be built in the middle of the town, just to celebrate in the usual manner. its our right to celebrate, and i am sick tired of good-for-nothing pastey suits medding in every day life.

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