Wolves academy plan could spell Europe

Wolves’ new academy building can see them return to the top of Europe within four years.That is the confident view of Wolverhampton mayor, councillor Michael Heap, who gave a passionate speech on the link between the city and the team at the opening of the £7m facility.

“I’m probably the oldest person in this building and I remember before most of you were born, in 1952.

"I came to do my square bashing at Hednesford and I think I was called up on the very same day that Ron Flowers was called up and he did his at exactly the same time,” said Cllr Heap.

“At weekends and over the next two years, I came down regularly to Molineux.

“And Wolverhampton Wanderers were not only the best team in the Midlands, not only the best team in England, but they were the best team in Europe and probably the best in the world at that time.

“They were an amazing side. Since then the fortunes of the team and what was then the town have declined dramatically with industry declining.

“And the very existence of Wolves was threatened and at times the club came very close to annhiliation.

“However, recently, the team has started back on the path to where they rightfully belong.

“Last year we were promoted to the Championship with a record number of points and this year we’re within touching distance of promotion to the Premier League.

“And in three or four years’ time at the longest, we ought to be back where we belong at the top of Europe.

“I’m very rarely surprised in my life but when I came here I was utterly amazed at this building. This is the culmination of an amazing effort by everyone.

“It’s an amazing feat to put this building up and every other facility within not much more than a year.

“It’s quite remarkable – it’s a huge tribute to Wolves, to Steve Morgan, to the architects and everyone.”

The improvement in Wolves and the investment in the academy, along with big projects such as the Jaguar Land Rover factory means there are good times ahead, according to Cllr Heap.

“If people believe enough and the city gets behind the Wolves – and it’s important that happens – the confidence that instils can have an effect right through not only Wolverhampton, but the Midlands and the rest of the country,” he said.

“Wolverhampton has seen the advent of Jaguar Land Rover at the i54 site and that’s going to bring enormous number of jobs, not only on the site, but also in the supply industries throughout the area.

“And we want to ensure Wolverhampton produces enormous numbers of people who can take advantage of those jobs and bring huge pride back to the city.”

Cllr Heap is also relieved – as there are no flat roofs at the new academy!

“I was a governor of St Edmunds school which stood on this site for 25 years and I was chairman of those for five, during which time in the late 1990s when moves to get Wolves into this area with playing fields between St Peter’s and St Edmund’s began,” he said.

“I must take my hat off to the architects here because there’s not a flat roof in sight!

“I remember at the old St Edmunds we paid over £500,000 over 15-20 years in repairing flat roves which I was assured never leaked!”