Clock removed in Molineux revamp

Wolves today began the process of clearing the Stan Cullis Stand ready for the £40million redevelopment - by removing the famous Molineux clock.

The historic face has been carefully taken down and put into storage while the new £16million North Stand is built.

Work to demolish the 19-year-old Stan Cullis Stand will begin in earnest after Wolves' final game of the season against Blackburn on May 22. A new two-tier, 8,000-capacity stand will be erected in its place.

The clock became a piece of Molineux history after it was erected on the roof of the newly-constructed Molineux Street Stand in 1932, to celebrate Wolves winning promotion back to the old First Division.

The stand stood until it was replaced by the Molineux Stand - now the Steve Bull Stand - in 1979, but the clock was left to gather dust for 13 years until it was discovered and it was decided to incorporate it as part of the new structure.

Chief executive Jez Moxey assured supporters the clock has been incorporated into the design of the new Stan Cullis Stand.

Moxey said: "The clock has become an iconic feature of Molineux and indeed the Stan Cullis Stand.

"So despite the latest chapter in Wolves' history bringing a new modern stadium, we will be putting the clock back in the same stand and in a similar position."

The clock is currently being stored in a special container awaiting the next stage of its history.

Club historian Graham Hughes said: "When the stadium was redeveloped, the clock was taken down and stored in a room under the old stand by the head groundsman at the time, Bill Pilbeam.

"It was housed there until the architect that was working on the redevelopment spotted it and decided to incorporate it into the new Stan Cullis Stand.

"The clock was restored by famous clockmakers Joyce of Whitchurch and took its place in the home that it has occupied for the last 19 years."

The commemorative bricks in the Stan Cullis Stand have also been removed as early preparations continue for the summer's works.

The bricks will be displayed in a similar format in a new location as part of the ongoing redevelopment process.