Richard Skirrow is Wolves Secretary and an Honorary Member of the DDCWWFCSC, and what a good chap he is. Richard was unique, (probably in many ways) but he was the only Honorary Member of the DDCWWFCSC that has not either played or managed Wolves until John Gough was invited to also become an honorary Member. Richard is a very active member of the club often popping up at away games for a pint or two with the members before a game, enjoying the banter and fans thoughts on all things Wolves.
We got to know Richard at a time when we were struggling for recognition with the Football Club. After many years of being very well known at the club, the Officials and staff changed considerably shortly before promotion to the Premier League last time. And where the staff at the club previously knew we actually had been there during the football clubs darkest days; the new regime didn’t, and in the rush for Premier glory, we went unrecognised by the Football Club.
He is a very active member of the club often popping up at away games for a pint or two with the members before a game, enjoying the banter and fans thoughts on all things Wolves.
So bridges had to be built, but where to start? Coxy recalled some advice from John Richards some years earlier, which was to get Richard Skirrow involved, so Coxy rang him on the afternoon of a mid-week game asking for a few minutes of his time, for a chat to explain a little about us and to talk about building back our relationship with the football club to where it had once been.
Typically, Richard found time on a busy match day, and was keen to help. He assisted in the arrangements for the 30th Anniversary Dinner at Molineux right down to letting Coxy shower and change in the referees room (after the ref had left) and for reasons I can’t remember Chat sat and watched!!
Since that Dinner, he has been to Staverton Park for 2 more Dinners, and is an invaluable source of help and information with all things DDCWWFCSC. Whether it’s recommending Honorary Members from the playing staff – getting the right type of person is the upper most concern – advising of dates for when the dinner could be, or representing us with the corridors of power in the football club then Richard is the man.
But even though Coxy must be a pain at times – yes, even Coxy! – Richard is always happy and willing to help. One fine example was when Des Hartley went missing from home for several weeks, everyone was worried but Richard to was keen to do everything he could to help. With Richard’s assistance the match commentary on Radio WM included appeals to Des should he be listening.
Richard gave us a scare in the summer of 2009, when he fell down a ravine into a river while on a walking holiday in the Pyrenees. In his fall he fractured his skull and landed face down in the water unconscious. Thankfully one of his walking companions was able to scramble down and drag him out before he was swept away. But again typical of Richard it is no big deal. Mention it to him and a token answer, is swiftly followed by the subject being changed. To us he’s a star and a very good friend, to himself he is just Richard Skirrow. His efforts on our behalf are non the less very appreciated.