Three Wolves heroes take up senior roles

Wolves Former Players Association has appointed three 1970s heroes to senior roles as part of a plan to move closer to the club.

Mike Bailey, the 1974 League Cup-winning captain, is the association's new chairman with former team-mates Phil Parkes and John McAlle joining the committee.

The group has also altered its membership criteria, with all players who appeared 100 or more times for Wolves now free to join.

The association was formed by legendary captain Billy Wright, with Stan Cullis as president, in 1989.

Bailey has become chairman with predecessor Malcolm Finlayson becoming president following the death of legendary goalkeeper Bert Williams in January.

Derek Parkin, Bill Slater and Roy Swinbourne all remain on the committee and have been joined by Parkes and McAlle.

Existing members, who have made 200 or more appearances, have become 'life' members and a new tier of membership has been introduced for ex-players who made 100 or more appearances for the club.

This has led to around 50 new members with ex-players including Jody Craddock, Matt Murray and Simon Osborn joining the group, which is administered by former Express & Star director Peter Creed.

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Mike Bailey said: "The club and the WFPA have enjoyed a very positive relationship ever since the association was formed in 1989.

"In recent years Malcolm Finlayson has worked tirelessly for the former players, supported by Peter Creed, and I'd like to thank him for his efforts and congratulate him on his new role as president.

"By welcoming ex-Wolves Players who've made 100 appearances or more we are becoming more inclusive and bringing on-board an additional 50 players.

"This increased representation will hopefully give us the capacity to work even more closely with the club, to raise more money for the WFPA in the future and to generally bring the club's great former players closer to the fans.

"We have a fundraising dinner planned at Molineux for March 2015, so we'd ask supporters to keep their eyes out for more details early in the New Year."

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said: "The club has always felt its history is an important aspect of what makes Wolves what it is today and where we want to be in the future.

"I'm sure these WFPA changes will be a very positive move."