Wolves fans enjoy chance to say thanks to squad

Kenny Jackett's men, fresh from their 2-0 victory against Crewe Alexandra, signed replica shirts and footballs and posed for pictures with the fans.

Hundreds of members from Young Wolves were invited to the session along with their families.

Some had travelled from the Republic of Ireland and Wales to watch the squad train as skipper Sam Ricketts led his team from the pitch to the front of the Billy Wright stand to meet the fans.

The training session yesterday was a chance for the fans to greet their heroes and many said the squad had healed the rift between the club and supporters which threatened to scupper an immediate return to the Championship.

Ian Bates, aged 45, originally from Penkridge but now living in North Wales, attended the open day with his son Jack, 11, and wife Vanessa, 45.

Mr Bates said: "I've been coming to Wolves for 40 years and Jack has been coming since he was four. It's been a really enjoyable season and an event like today gives fans and the youngsters the opportunity to meet and thank the players."

Jack, who plays football and says he models himself on Brierley Hill-born defender Danny Batth, said: "Danny Batth's a really good player. I was really excited to meet him. I play in defence and I watch him. I also like Jack Price because he makes a lot of good passes. It's been a good season and I'd say my favourite game was MK Dons away."

Cathriona Baugh from Cradley Heath was there with her 15-year-old son Jack who lives in in County Cork, Ireland.

Miss Baugh, a Wolves fan for 10 years, said: "All the players have been fantastic but if I could pick one player out it would be Kevin McDonald he has been amazing. Kenny Jackett has worked a miracle getting us back up and it has shown he was the right man for this football club.

"The players have been a credit to the football club and to Wolverhampton. It's good to see so many of the kids looking happy and meeting the players." Her son Jack said: "I try and get over to games which are in the school holidays. I went to the 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient and that was a fantastic atmosphere. It was great to meet Danny Batth, who has had an amazing season and Bakary Sako, who has been the difference for us in many matches this year. "

Like on a match day, the players took to the pitch to club song 'Hi-Ho Silver Lining'.

They were greeted with applause with the largest cheers saved for the man who has steered Wolves back to the Championship, head coach Kenny Jackett.

He was the man in the middle in a practice match involving first team players George Elokobi, Jack Price, Liam McAlinden and Aaron McCarey. Among those looking on was Dave Stockton, 50, from Fordhouses.

The military intelligence officer for the RAF had treated his son Jack to his first season ticket at Molineux this season.

He said: "It has been a big learning curve for a lot of the young players and Kenny Jackett has managed to get it right. He has brought stability to the club when things could have gone wrong.

"This was my son's first season coming to the games and I'm happy for him because he's seen a lot of goals and a lot wins. I was working on Saturday but I made sure me and Jack celebrated before he went to bed and we sang a few Wolves songs together."

Kayleigh Palmer, 28, Rugeley, said the training session was a good opportunity for her son, Finley, aged seven, to see how professionals train.

She said: "It was perfect for them to do it during the school holidays. It's good for the kids to experience how the footballers practice and what they have to do.

"Finley plays football himself so he has been taking note. I think by going up and looking to go to the Premiership it will focus their minds and might make one or two stay who were thinking of leaving."

Finley, whose favourite player is Michael Jacobs, said: "I was really excited. I couldn't wait to get my shirt signed by all the players." Jacob Barclay-Evans, 13, from Wednesfield and a pupil at Pool Hayes Community School in Willenhall said he was impressed with the signing of Nouha Dicko.

The lifelong Wolves fan said: "I think Dicko has been brilliant for us. I like his confidence and arrogance on the football pitch. He brings us something different."

Nick Chapman, 42, an architect from Dudley and season ticket holder at Molineux said: "When I renewed my season tickets there were some fans upset with how the season had gone who were sneering at our decision to get our season ticket.

"So for the lads to win promotion feels like it was for all those supporters who stuck by the club. I think the open training session is good for the fans to thank the players."

His son Joseph, nine, said his favourite goal of the season was Sako's against Sheffield United, he said: "It nearly broke the net."

Nigel Enoch, 54, from Kingswinford was with his 10-year-old granddaughter Hannah Skipton.

Mr Enoch praised the club for the event saying: "It is fantastic and the weather has been decent, it's good for the club to get the kids involved."

Hannah said she was looking forward to meeting Dicko, she added: "I like to sing his song."

Ben Robinson, nine, from Penn Fields has supported Wolves for two years.

He said: "Danny Batth and Michael Jacobs are my favourite players. Batth is good at clearing the ball and Jacobs is good at crossing.

"I've got the players to sign some cards and programmes."

Ash Hayward from Cannock took his eight-year-old cousin Ty to the training day.

He said the highlight of the season was Liam McAlinden's winner against MK Dons.

Mr Hayward said: "I used to work with Liam McAlinden's cousin so I'd talk to him about Liam's progress. I went down to Milton Keynes with a group from Cannock and to see a Cannock lad score the winner in front of that many away supporters was crazy. It was brilliant."

Sam Payne, 48, and son William, aged eight from Perton had been to last year's open day.

Mr Payne, said: "Last year we got to meet Stephen Hunt and he signed our pictures. We went to a closed training session at Compton and all the lads came over and signed William's stuff. It made his day. His favourite player is Dicko because he says he scores lots of goals."