I struggle to pinpoint when this increasingly sectarian divide took root

He wasn’t domiciled in the Midlands but he was aware of the antipathy generated by this fixture.

I struggled to provide him with an accurate explanation as to why this clash had degenerated into such unreasonable levels of bitterness and intolerance in recent years.

Because when this game is imminent, large parts of both Wolverhampton and Sandwell collectively lose their marbles, become totally irrational and temporarily discard all sense of reason.

The last time the match was contested, it climaxed in absolute chaos with the game halted, with players retreating to the dressing room amid a sulphurous atmosphere of rancour and unbridled hostility.

I struggle to pinpoint when this increasingly sectarian divide took root.

Back in the early 70s, I enjoyed visiting The Hawthorns when Wolves were engaged in away fixtures.

I saw some good matches too, which included the emergence of Alistair Robertson, who became an Albion legend and finished his career with a successful stint at Wolves, seamlessly crossing the divide and having a whale of a time at both clubs in the process.

Back in 1973, the teams met at Molineux in a pre-season friendly game.

Nowadays, the West Midlands constabulary would be apoplectic if any suggestion of a repeat fixture was ever considered.

And any further use of the word ‘friendly’ would be viewed as the ultimate contradiction in terms.

Prior to this, Ronnie Allen had a successful stint as manager of Wolves - I was genuinely surprised when years later I read that he felt that he was never fully accepted because of his Albion heritage.

I never heard a whisper from any Wolves supporter on that score and remain disappointed that he felt this way.

I’ve seen Wolves win this fixture 7-0 at Molineux and witnessed Steve Bull’s last-minute winner at The Hawthorns. But I’ve also endured Wolves twice being routed 5-1 home and away. That’s football.

And I was genuinely amused when Albion fans dressed the seats of the Bull stand with Tesco bags after winning at Molineux.

An imaginative and subtle touch that said far more than much of the nonsensical rhetoric we will endure from both sides in the build-up to this game.

And regardless of the result, it won’t be season-defining for either club.

I used to look forward to this match with genuine anticipation - it’s not so appealing these days, and that’s a shame.