Wolves stars getting shirty over new book

They Wore The Shirt is the brainchild of Wolves fanatic Steve Plant, who was inspired by his late terminally-ill father, writes Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers.

All profits will go to Birmingham Children's Hospital and it's hoped £20,000 will be raised in total.

A host of Wolves players past and present attended last night's launch at a packed WV1 Bar in the Stan Cullis Stand.

Current skipper Danny Batth, Nouha Dicko and Richard Stearman were joined by old favourites Steve Bull, John Richards, Kenny Hibbitt, Phil Parkes, Willie Carr, Steve Daley and Colin Brazier.

A host of staff from the club and hundreds of fans also turned out to show their support and were entertained by a Q&A with Hibbitt and Richards and a comedy routine by Daley.

TV presenter Jacqui Oatley and former players George Elokobi and Matt Jarvis also sent messages via a special video, which also featured Steve talking about his father.

Mr Plant said: "I've been overwhelmed by the support I've had from everyone and tonight has topped it off.

"I didn't know about the video where I spoke about the experiences with my dad and that really set the tone for an amazing evening.

"The Wolves shirt is the fabric of the club and it reminded me why I have given so many years, through good times and bad, watching Wolverhampton Wanderers."

The 255-page club features a host of iconic Wolves shirts from over the years, with one even dating back to 1908.

Current players modelled the shirts for the book including Batth> who wrote a foreword.

Wolves boss Walter Zenga was the first person to buy the book, for which 113 shirts were photographed in total.

The Express & Star spoke to a number of current and former players to get their take on the book - and find out their favourite Wolves shirt.

Danny Batth

"It's the story behind the strips that everyone's interested in and it's nice to be part of and to be able to show my support tonight.

"I was really impressed by the book, he's done a really good job.

"Steve's put so much effort into this and it's all for charity as well, a great cause."

Favourite shirt: "There are quite a few that I like but I think the Staw shirt from the 1980s is probably my favourite."

Richard Stearman

"We all read it on the coach on the way up to Wigan. There's been so much planning and organisation that's gone into it – and it's nice to see that I'm in it!

"It's great to see the history of the club's kit collated in one book."

Favourite shirt: "The one with the black sleeves, the WhatHouse shirt (from 2014/15).

"The purple shirt was probably one for the ladies - my missus really liked that one.

"There's been some great shirts over the years."

Steve Bull

"It must have driven him around the bend collecting that many shirts! It's absolutely unbelievable. I didn't know what half of those shirts were like.

"I haven't got shirts from over the years. My mum and dad have got an England one in their house, I've got an England one in mine, but I haven't got many Wolves ones at all.

"I gave them all away, the shirts, the hat-trick balls. I see them popping up at things like this!"

Favourite shirt: "My favourite is the Manders shirt, that's the main one for me."

Kenny Hibbitt

"The book itself, looking at some of the photographs that are in there, brings a tear to your eye sometimes when you see all the boys.

"Steve's turned out a fantastic book. It's a big, solid book that will sell really well.

"The shirt is a big draw for Wolves players and fans."

Favourite shirt: "The shirt with the collar on the front page (from the late 1970s) is my favourite. It was nice seeing that tonight."

John Richards

"It really surprised me how it might turn out - I thought 'a book on shirts, is it going to be that interesting?'.

"But I think it's fantastic. Everybody here tonight has said exactly the same - it's very impressive.

"Steve's worked very hard at it. When you put it together like Steve's done it's become a historical story of Wolves, the club, the connection with the fans and the players.

"It's an iconic shirt, as are the badges. Even the three Wolves they had at one stage, then the wolf head, the gold and black. It's Wolves.

"I haven't kept many of my shirts because in those days we weren't allowed to keep them.

"They were recycled and used for the next match. It wasn't a case of one shirt per match - it was taken away and washed and used again.

"From that era the only shirts I've actually got are ones from when I was playing for an England team, or a representative team."

Favourite shirt: "My favourite shirt would have to be the 1974 League Cup final shirt. It brings back a lot of good memories for me.

"As a footballer, as a young lad, it was a dream come true."

Visit www.theyworetheshirt.co.uk for information on how to purchase a copy.