Steven Fletcher's road to Wolves

One Wolves striker brought up in Warrington lit up a decade over a generation ago.

Now there's another hoping to follow in the footsteps of the great John Richards.

Wolves' new boy Steven Fletcher might have the Edinburgh accent of Christophe Berra.

But the new club-record signing spent well over a third of his life in the Cheshire town Richards left to become Wolves' then record goalscorer.

Fletcher said: "I didn't move up to Scotland until I was nine-years-old – the rest of the time was here and we lived in Warrington.

"I enjoyed it there, it was good, but things happen and we had to move to Scotland.

"My dad was in the army but I don't know why I was born in Shrewsbury – I think it was the nearest place at the time!

"Half my family are from Liverpool because that was where my dad was from, so half my family are English and the other half Scottish."

Sharing Richards's hometown isn't the only Molineux connection Fletcher has.

His move to the West Midlands has already received the seal of approval from another one-time record Wolves signing, after Richards's partner-in-goals and Sky pundit Andy Gray tipped him to excel in gold and black.

Fletcher said: "I saw that – I was on holiday at the time and my mate sent it to me.

"That's not too bad – hopefully I can live up to that and do what he says!"

And the Scotland international would settle for having the impact of another record Wolves buy, who made his name at Hibernian.

He said: "Kenny Miller's a good lad – I followed him at Hibs and he's had a good career so I'm in good company.

"I just want to get out on the pitch, get my first goal and let the rest take care of itself."

Fletcher's other Molineux connections see him follow Warrington-born Steve Kindon 38 years ago in being Wolves' most expensive player from Burnley, while he was schooled by Mark Venus at Hibernian.

Like Richards, Fletcher is unassuming and modest – and so are his aims for the time being.

He said: "I think there are five strikers here so there's plenty of good competition which is good for the gaffer, so hopefully I can get a chance.

"Hopefully I can get into the starting line-up and if I can do that then I'll look to cement a place.

"I think I showed last season that I can play in this league, I want to show again that it wasn't just one season and I can be consistent.

"Kevin Doyle had a great year last season and he scored a few goals as well so hopefully we can work together and double the tally.

"Everyone knows Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is a good player too, hopefully he can get off to a good start this season and get a few goals as well."

But through the quietly-spoken tones you detect a strong inner belief.

Venus described him as a listener and a quick learner with a real desire to do well in his new surroundings, as well as the versatility not to throw a wobbly if boss Mick McCarthy asks him to play wide when the team goes to one up front if it is under the cosh away from home.

Fletcher said: "I can play in a number of positions, which is a good thing when someone is looking at you because it can present more opportunities.

"If the gaffer does go with one up front and if it's not myself, I can play either side or I can play off someone – we'll just have to wait and see what he does.

"There aren't many left-footers in football either, so it's good to have a decent one!

"I got into the Hibs team quite early, so I've been around first-team players since I was 15 or 16 and I've picked up a lot of good things.

"I learn quickly so hopefully I can learn from players here as well."

One of those of course is already very familiar to Fletcher – Berra.

Fletcher was sent off for a foul on the centre-back in a Scottish Cup Edinburgh derby in December 2008, after which Berra was condemned by then Hibs boss and former Wolves forward Mixu Paatelainen as having "leapt like a trout."

But Fletcher has already let bygones be bygones with his one-time Hearts rival.

He said: "We're next to each other in the changing room, so it's good to see a face I know. Those Edinburgh derbies were always competitive.

"I'm sure if Christophe had have tackled me, I'd have done the same as he did – it's instinct to jump out of the way, and I got sent off for it.

"At least he can't get me sent off now! When you get off the pitch, everything is fine and I've known him a long time, so it's good joining a club where I know someone.

"I've got to know a few of the boys since I got here, which is good."

Having faced Berra for Hibernian and Burnley, Fletcher is looking forward to being on the same side now – not least because he found him difficult to beat.

He said: "I only played the one game against Wolves last season but I found them hard to break down and I never scored. Christophe and Jody played together at the back the day I played.

"They played a number of games without conceding a goal last season and they've got a good understanding of each other."

Fletcher fits the profile of most of the new Wolves age under McCarthy – early 20s, hardworking, grounded and with strong family behind him.

Like the level-headed Doyle, he insists he will not be distracted or weighed down by the pressure of the fee.

He said: "The fee doesn't bother me at all. I've got good friends and family around me that keep me level-headed and keep my feet firmly on the ground, so I would never let the price tag affect me.

"I just want to play football and hopefully I can produce a few goals as well. It's down to the players as well – they really welcomed me here, so I don't think about anything else other than training and doing my thing.

"We've got a good bunch of young players with a lot of quality, so the gaffer has a good mix.

"I've noticed here that the boys here are just the same as the Burnley boys – they're a good group of lads.

"So if I can play my football, then the rest will take care of itself."