Golden memories of Wolves fans' hero Andy Thompson

And so began the other half of one of the most famous sporting stories the Black Country has ever known.

It was 30 years ago tomorrow that Andy Thompson, along with his great mate Steve Bull, swapped the Second Division with Albion for the Fourth Division with Wolves.

Thommo would stay at Molineux for 11 years and become one of the most popular Wolves players of recent decades.

While Bully had played just a handful of games for Albion, Thommo was a more established first-team player under Ron Saunders.

On that fateful day of November 20, 1986, he happened to pass the Albion boss in the corridor. Saunders told Thommo he was leaving. And a couple of hours later the then-midfielder was a Wolves player.

"At the time it was a big gamble," Thommo said. "But you just had a feeling about the place, that it was going to go onwards and upwards.

"(The place) was awful. When it rained heavily there was rain coming in. There were tiles off the wall in the bathrooms and cockroaches round the floor...it wasn't the best of places to be getting changed!"

While Bully would go on to break goalscoring records, it was actually Thommo who began Molineux life in prolific goalscoring form, notching seven in his first 17 games. But he wouldn't have been that surprised. After all, he had started his career as a striker.

"I did OK! Initially when I came here I was playing in midfield. I think it was just through injuries that I ended up playing at full-back. I didn't mind where I played, as long as I was playing.

"The first three games I was here we lost 3-0, all of them. I went to the Chorley game as well, that was memorable! We wondered what we'd done at the time.

"After that first three games it all changed round, we started winning.

"We went on a great run. We lost to Aldershot in the play-offs (in 1986/87), but the year after from day one that was it.

"Bully and Mutch clicked straight away, you had the experience of Ally Robertson and Floyd Streete at the back. The next three of four years were just a great experience."

Wolves stormed to the Third and Fourth Division title in successive seasons, as well as winning the Sherpa Van Trophy in front of 80,000 at Wembley in 1988.

The mastermind behind their success was Graham Turner.

"He was great. He knew what he wanted, we worked hard as a team and that was one of the reasons for our success," added Thommo. "We had goals all over the pitch. It was that work ethic – everybody worked hard together.

"There's nothing better than knowing when you go out there on the pitch that you think you're going to win every game, and that was the feeling in the squad.

"We knew if we we gave 100 per cent we'd be unstoppable.

"I think if Graham had brought in one or two key players we could have gone all the way (to the top flight) because we had the momentum. It was frustrating I never went to the top division with Wolves."

With the arrival of Sir Jack Hayward came the redevelopment of Molineux and then several multi-million pound signings.

The team that Turner moulded broke up, with the likes of Paul Cook (a man Thommo rates as the most skilful he's ever played with), Andy Mutch and Keith Downing moving on.

"Things did change a lot. You had a squad that were altogether, we did social events together," he continued. "Players came in and things changed when a bit of money came into the club. Also injuries as well, to (Steve) Froggatt, (Geoff) Thomas and (Tony) Daley. That's one of the things that was a stumbling block for the team."

Success continued to elude Wolves and in 1997 Thommo, who had been gradually sidelined by Mark McGhee, was sold to Tranmere.

"I wasn't really ready to leave but unfortunately they didn't offer me a contract," he said. "It was a bit gut-wrenching. I went to Tranmere for three years. Initially I didn't want to leave but I quite enjoyed it."

He was joined by former team-mates Cook and David Kelly – and almost picked up a surprise League Cup winners' medal during three seasons at Prenton Park.

"It was like when we were first at Wolves," recalled Thommo. "The squad worked together and we had good players. I loved it. It was just a shame I couldn't top it off in the Worthington Cup final (when Tranmere lost to Leicester).

"I didn't play, I was sub, but it would have been nice to finish my career at Tranmere with a victory there."

Thommo, who selects the Sherpa Van Trophy win as the best match of his career, found the net regularly throughout his playing days. He scored no fewer than 45 goals in Wolves colours – the vast majority from the penalty spot.

"My first ever goal was a penalty for West Brom. I was 17, against Chelsea in the Full Members Cup," he said.

"At Wolves, I think Bully took the first one and missed it and they said who else wants it, nobody else wanted it so I said I'll have it.

"With penalties, I never changed my mind, I always thought if I hit it where I want to hit it I'll score."

He also memorably scored a 25-yarder away at then top-flight Ipswich Town to win a fifth round FA Cup tie.

"It would be one of my favourites. Someone said it took a slight deflection! That would be one of my best. I scored a couple of headers at Molineux too. They're the ones that stand out," he added.

Since retirement Thommo has stayed living locally – and also stuck with the sporting theme, as a PE teacher. He went back to college while playing, earning maths and English GCSE qualifications, before undertaking a three-year degree at the University of Wolverhampton.

He now teaches secondary school pupils...who enjoy reminding him of his playing days – or rather, his haircut.

"It has its moments!" he laughed. "I've enjoyed it, and it keeps me involved in sport. I just thought it was the right avenue to go down.

"They keep saying they've been on Wikipedia and Google looking at what I've done, saying 'nice hairstyle and mosutache!'"

And Thommo also keeps a very close eye on the fortunes of his former club, attending every Wolves game home and away in his guise as a radio analyst for Signal 107 and the Wolves website.

What does he make of the current crop of Wolves players?

"It's been an indifferent start," he said. "We need to start scoring, that's something we've struggled with, and we need to play higher up the field, we have a tendency to let teams come onto us.

"I've enjoyed doing the commentary, watching games and giving your opinions. Wolves will always be my club. I'm a Wolves fan."