Mike was invited and attended our first ever Dinner back in 1976, and very quickly a firm friendship was established. He obviously enjoyed himself at the first Dinner and sat opposite Syd Sloggett who regaled him with tales of following the Wolves in Coxy’s old Triumph Herald. We kept in touch with Mike and he was back in Daventry the following October to celebrate the first anniversary of the DDCWWFCSC. We staged a football match against the London Wolves and Mike was asked to referee which he gladly did, until the ball dropped to his feet halfway through the second half and he started to play for the London lads who were being overrun by a Bert Skelton inspired side.
Mike was heading for the end of his career with Wolves when the relationship with the DDCWWFCSC began, he’d played for England on two occasions in the 60’s before joining Wolves and had been an inspirational Captain for 10 years at Molineux. Often referred to in the media as barrel chested, he led by example and was a fearsome tackler. His slide tackles were a sight to behold, particularly on an often muddy Molineux surface.
His slide tackles were a sight to behold, particularly on an often muddy Molineux surface…
Mike left Molineux and we lost touch for several years as he persued a career in football management, taking charge at Charlton and Brighton. He has also done lots of scouting for various clubs over the years. Coxy met up with him at the 30th Anniversay Dinner to commemorate winning the League Cup in 1974, and has since seen him at a couple of Former Players Association Dinners since.
A line of communication is now available and we are thrilled that Mike along with his wife Barbara have accepted our invitation to attend our next dinner on the 16th January. In November 2009 it was announced that Mike has been selected to be inducted into the Wolves Hall of Fame, a worthy tribute to a great Captain and servant of the club.