Express & Star

Golden days that keep bringing Per to Wolves from Denmark

The famous gold and black kit, the iconic badge and the memorable name are all part of Wolves’ worldwide appeal.

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Per Dyrholm and his son Kenneth

Since Fosun’s takeover in 2016 international stars such as Joao Moutinho, Raul Jimenez and Hee-Chan Hwang have boosted Wolves popularity overseas, while Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota and Adama Traore all became big names thanks to their performances at Molineux.

But more than 60 years ago it was in Denmark, and one nine-year-old boy in particular, that was captivated by the club who had just won back-to-back First Division titles.

“It’s a special story,” explained 74-year-old Per Dyrholm when asked how his love affair with Wolves came about.

“In the late 1950s when I went to school most of the boys I played football with supported Manchester United,” he said. “At the time not many people had a television, but every weekend Danish radio would broadcast the results of the English games.”

Dyrholm added: “After a short time, I heard the name ‘Wolverhampton’, and for a nine-year-old boy that was such a great name.”

It was a golden era for Wolves under Stan Cullis, with consecutive league wins followed up with a 3-0 triumph over Blackburn Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup final.

Cullis’ side was packed with talent, and despite not being able to watch his team play the young Danish Wolves fan still found a way to follow his side.

“I found a magazine in a store in Denmark, I think it was Goal, and there was a photo of Peter Broadbent who was such a star for me at that time,” Dyrholm said. “I’d heard his name in the English national team together with Ron Flowers.”

He added: “They also played in colours not many teams were playing in, most were red and white or blue and white, but Wolves were different.