Laurie Dalrymple: Hard work starts now for Wolves

The managing director took to the stage at last night’s end-of-season awards to laud Nuno, the players, the staff and the club’s supporters for a phenomenal promotion season.

He stated: “Fosun presented a very clear primary short term objective – two years into this journey target number one has been achieved.

“Myself and Kevin (Thelwell) work alongside Jeff (Shi) on a daily basis and we see their determination to bring success to Wolves.

“The progress we’ve made in 12 months has been remarkable.”

At last year’s awards Dalrymple called for an end to the infamous ‘Wolves rollercoaster’ term... then days later Paul Lambert’s future was thrown into doubt ahead of Nuno’s appointment.

Dalrymple added: “Bristol City away, Middlesbrough away and Cardiff away aside I think the rollercoaster has been decommissioned.

“While the public message was one of cautious optimism, of course promotion was clearly the aim

“Over the course of the season I’ve been asked about our players and signings but for me its been remarkable the way with which Nuno endeared himself to staff, players and supporters.

“The football on offer this season was at times like something never seen before at Molineux.

“Fans tell me this is the best football they’ve witnessed at this club for 50 years and for that an enormous amount of credit goes to you Nuno and your backroom team.

“On and off the pitch other clubs provided questions, but we emphatically supplied the answers.

“This team, this club, simply never knew when they were beaten.”

Leo Bonatini typified the club’s fighting spirit when suffering a dislocated shoulder but playing on at Sheffield Wednesday, Dalrymple revealed.

“At Sheffield Wednesday Leo Bonatini went down injured in the first half and dislocated his shoulder.

“The medical team relocated his shoulder and Leo played on

“The strength of the wolf is in the pack, strength in unity. Defeats on this journey have been few and far between.

He added: “Good Friday at Boro I thought wouldn’t be beaten for excitement and drama... and then we went to Cardiff on April 6. It will live long and proud in our history

“While individuals have stolen the headlines, Nuno has been right to insist time and again this has been a collective team effort.

“We’ve sold out 16 away ends this season, which is unbelievable.

“From everyone within the club, a huge thank-you to every single fan who made such a commitment to support the team this year.

“I’m delighted to announce more than 9,000 fans have already renewed for next season.

“For us, the hard work truly begins now. The hours of hard work (this season) will be worth it.

“It’s a brilliant feeling looking out for the Premier League fixture list on June 14, instead of June 21.”