Wolves fans on tour in Ireland: Day Two

Tuesday saw us get up early to watch Wolves train at Malahide FC's Gannon Park, writes Express & Star reporter and die-hard fan Jon Pritchard.

There were probably a few fuzzy heads following the 4-1 win on Monday night, but scores of fans arrived to have pictures, get signatures, and see the players put through their paces.

It also gave me the chance to chat to the members of Wolves Travel Club, among others, and the eight of us were invited to have a picture with the team.

The group is made up of fans from all over the country, and despite feeling disappointed that they didn't get to see the team train on the pitch as they spent all day in the gym, they were still happy to talk about their love for the club.

Kelly Burge, from Walsall, and her uncle Keith, who lives in Tipton, have come along on their first pre-season tour.

Kelly said: "My dad was always a Wolves fan and he got us into supporting wolves when we were kids by keep playing the Sherpa Van trophy final on video.

"This is my first time on pre-season tour but I've been on pre season friendlies. I like going to support them home and away.

The season ticket holder added: "I've had it about three years now, but would get tickets before.

"I've really enjoyed it so far, the whole place is great and people are so friendly. We've been chilling and hanging out and chatting with people I've never met before."

Keith said: "I started in '59, when they were the cream of the crop. I always lived in West Bromwich and would get a slap in the morning on my way to school off the Albion fans.

"Kelly wanted to come and see them so I treated her. The 60s and 70s were best time of my life. I would go to the football match and drink some beer. It was great."

Mates Bob Bowker, 54, and Chris Haylings, 28, are from Macclesfield. Bob said: "My uncle bought me a Wolves strip up from London.

"A few years later he said, 'do you wanna go to game?' – I thought we were watching my local team Stalybridge Celtic. We were driving and driving and I asked where we were going.

"He told me we were going to watch the greatest team in the world – Wolves."

Chris added: "I've got my dad to blame for it – it's a case of me just going with the flow. I know bob through mutual friends really.

"It's difficult to put into words really my emotions about Wolves, its just a love of the club. It's our first time on an pre-season tour. We've always talked about it and Dublin is a lovely city."

Father and son pairing Tony and Rob Grocutt have been on a number of tours.

Tony said: "My grandad took me to my first game in 1958 when we beat Birmingham 5-1 and that was it. My second game was Arsenal. I used to play a bit and took up refereeing so I could only go to night games.

"When my son went to college, he had a mate who was a Wolves fan and we've had a season ticket ever since.

"You've just got to hand pick your games – the Millennium was probably Rob's biggest game, because he's never been to Wembley with the Wolves.

"We've done three or four pre season tours and it's a nice holiday. Fairs Cup playing Tottenham was one of the best Wolves games I've seen. But the best game I've seen wasn't Wolves.

"I saw Man Utd v Benfica in 1968 and saw George Best. They won 4-2 and it was brilliant."

Rob said: "I love following them around because of the laughs. We all have good banter."

Richard Rochelle, from Perton and a member of Irish Wolves, said: "When I was a kid my mom's cousin got me into it.

"She used to take me and got me into it. When I was a teenager I just went with the crowd, and got hooked. Wolves gets in your blood. It's the camaraderie that is good on these away trips."