Wolverhampton Wanderers

Lore & Background

Formed as St. Luke's F.C. in 1877, the club changed name to Wolverhampton Wanderers two years later and became one of the founding members of the Football League in 1888. They won the FA Cup for the first time in 1893, and again as a Second Division team in 1908. The team was crowned English League champions three times – in 1953–54, 1957–58 and 1958–59 – all under the management of Stan Cullis. Wolves also won another two FA Cup finals, in 1949 and 1960. The club won the League Cup in 1974 and 1980. After a financial crisis in the early 1980s, Wolves were relegated four times between 1981–82 and 1985–86, ending up in the Fourth Division for the first time. They won the Fourth Division and Football League Trophy in 1987–88, followed by the Third Division title in 1988–89. Wolves reached the Premier League for the first time in 2003 via the play-offs, were relegated after one season, won the Championship in 2008–09, endured relegation in 2011–12 and again in 2012–13, then returned to the Premier League after winning the League One title in 2013–14 and another Championship title in 2017–18.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights at Hillsborough or Maine Road hummed with a nervous energy that only a true derby could ignite. As the whistle blew, the black and gold stripes of Wolves collided with the sky blue of City, a clash of philosophies on the wet grass. The crowd roared as a midfielder from each side tangled for possession, the mud flying in the chill air, knowing that one mistake here could cost them the title race. It was more than a game; it was a battle for the soul of English football.

Reader's Guide

The club has played at Molineux Stadium since moving from Dudley Road in 1889. The club's traditional kit consists of old gold shirts and socks with black shorts. Since 1979, the kit has also featured the club's 'wolf's head' logo. Long-standing rivalries exist with other clubs from the West Midlands, including Aston Villa, Stoke City, and Birmingham City but the main one being the Black Country derby contested with West Bromwich Albion. Since 2016, the club has been owned by the Chinese conglomerate Fosun International.

Did You Know?

• Wolves became one of the first British clubs to install floodlights at its home ground in 1953.
• Wolves arranged televised 'floodlit friendlies' against leading overseas club sides between 1953 and 1956, which were instrumental in the launch of the European Cup in 1955.
• Wolves reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup in 1959–60, the semi-finals of the 1960–61 European Cup Winners' Cup, and the inaugural UEFA Cup Final in 1972.
• After a 39-year absence from UEFA competitions, Wolves reached the UEFA Europa League finals in 2020.