Absent friends remembered on a poignant day for Wolves heroes

Wolves Former Players’ Association hosted its annual golf day just 48 hours after the funeral for legendary goalkeeper Phil Parkes.

There was a poignant note to this year’s annual golf day for the Wolves Former Players’ Association as absent friends and former team-mates were remembered, and tributes paid.

Bully on the tee! Record goalscorer Steve Bull supported by Don Goodman, Dave Jones and Johnny Phillips from Sky Sports | Dave Bagnall Photography

placeholder image — Bully on the tee! Record goalscorer Steve Bull supported by Don Goodman, Dave Jones and Johnny Phillips from Sky Sports | Dave Bagnall Photography

As with all years, former players and fans came together to enjoy a round of golf and camaraderie at Oxley Park, including raising funds which will be distributed to various local charities.

And it wasn’t just former Wolves players. As with previous events, and ahead of the big Black Country derby just around the corner, there were representatives from West Brom, on this occasion Joe Mayo, Mark Grew, Mickey Fudge and Dave Ashman, son of former Baggies boss Alan.

The emotional aspect came with the Wolves players who had passed over the last 12 months, including regular Golf Day participants Terry Wharton and Phil Parkes, whose funeral had taken place at St Peter’s Church just 48 hours before the event.

Former Wolves and Albion representatives face the camera. From left: Dave Jones, Mel Eves, Steve Bull, Richard Green (Wolves FPA manager), Colin Brazier, Mark Grew, Kenny Hibbitt, Steve Daley, Norman Bell, Joe Mayo, Mickey Fudge, Dave Ashman, John Richards | Dave Bagnall Photography

So too inspirational former captain Mike Bailey, former players Fred Kemp, John Farley and Hughie Curran, coach Brian Garvey and manager Kenny Jackett.

“It has been a really difficult time for us having lost so many of the lads recently, but we felt it was important to carry on and get together for the Golf Day,” said John Richards, former Wolves striker and now club vice-president, and chairman of the Wolves Former Players’ Association. “It was a great day, and an important one to raise funds, but also gave us the chance to pay tribute to our former team-mates and remember the times we had shared together.”

Richards and Wolves FPA administration manager Richard Green gave key support to the event’s main organiser, former midfielder Steve Daley, who has now led on the delivery of the golf day for nearly a decade.

Steve Daley. John Richards and Kenny Hibbitt | Dave Bagnall Photography

“It’s an event which we never have to sell because people come back year after year, and we are really grateful for all their support,” said Daley, who joined Richards and fellow team-mate Kenny Hibbitt in a post-round Q&A with Sky Sports broadcaster Johnny Phillips.

Representing the slightly younger former players, Wolves’ record goalscorer and vice-president Steve Bull and Don Goodman provided their own thoughts as well as becoming ‘auctioneers’, helping raise funds which will support so many local good causes.

The event was sponsored for the first time by the Tipton & Coseley Building Society, with additional support from Pi Financial Limited, as well as so many others making donation of food, fruit, and prizes including rounds of golf for the raffle and auction.

Wolves FPA would like to thank everyone who contributed to making the day such a success, including the staff and greenkeepers from Oxley Park.