Former players role for Wolves great John Richards

Richards netted 194 times in 487 games in old gold and is honoured to have joined the group which formed 30 years ago.

“I am delighted to be joining the Wolves’ Former Players Association as vice-chairman, and once again linking up with so many former team-mates who have become close friends,” he said

“Wolves is such a special club, and it is no coincidence that so many of us who spent many years sharing a dressing room stayed in the local area after finishing our careers and continue to regularly meet up.

“We are all well aware of the role of Wolves and indeed football out in the community, and that is why one major feature of the WFPA moving forward will be to ensure that we do everything we can to support local charities and good causes wherever possible.”

Richards went on to be managing director at Wolves and also served as head of leisure services at Cannock Council after hanging up his boots in 1985.

He is now part of a committee which also features Wolves heroes Steve Daley – now the WFPA's player liaison as well – John McAlle, Phil Parkes, Geoff Palmer and Matt Murray.

England 1966 World Cup-winning squad member Ron Flowers is president.

Mike Bailey, skipper of the 1974 League Cup-winning Wolves side, is chairman.

As well as holding three major events each year – an annual dinner, golf day and Christmas get-together at a home game – the WFPA also donates to several different local charities, as well as supporting Wolves Foundation with members regularly attending their Molineux Memories group.

The organisation have appointed Paul Berry as communications officer after his former Wolves colleague John 'Foz' Hendley, who previously held the role, passed away at the start of the year.

Michelle Westwood, who has helped with the accounts for many years, has officially been brought on board in a finance/secretary position.

WFPA events and administration manager Richard Green said: "The Wolves’ Former Players Association is now 30 years old, and we are keen to ensure that the organisation continues to evolve and improve to serve our members and also the local community.

“It is vitally important that this organisation continues to develop and is available to everyone who has pulled on that famous gold shirt, and also that we strengthen and develop our links with the current Wolves, as they head into another exciting part of the club’s history.”