This blogger Artur Yanturin of Russia copied many of my blog teams. This blog was one of them. It was my Russia All-Time Team here. His team was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. I also updated mine periodically. I made mistakes. He is from Russia. He should know the topic much more than I do, but he still kept my mistakes. He will copy this Belarus All-Time Team. Please look at my other teams from the former Soviet Union. He copied all of them.
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal,
Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, Everton,
Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich
Leeds United, Leicester City, West Ham
Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal,
Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, Everton,
Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich
Leeds United, Leicester City, West Ham
Wolverhampton Wanderers, originally formed as St. Luke's F.C. in 1877, changed its name just two years later. The club became one of the founding members of the Football League in 1888 and won its first FA Cup in 1893. They claimed the trophy again in 1908 while competing in the Second Division, following relegation two years prior.
Wolves have been crowned English League champions three times: in 1953–54, 1957–58, and 1958–59, all under the management of Stan Cullis. They also secured two more FA Cup victories in 1949 and 1960. The club won the League Cup in 1974 and 1980, and reclaimed the Second Division title in 1976–77.
After returning to the English top flight in 1967, Wolves entered a period of relative success under Bill McGarry, finishing fourth in the league in 1971, which qualified them for the newly formed UEFA Cup. In that tournament, they defeated Juventus and Ferencváros but ultimately lost to Tottenham Hotspur 3–2 on aggregate, with a crucial 2–1 loss at home in the first leg. Two years later, Wolves secured the League Cup for the first time, triumphing over Manchester City 2–1 in the final.
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| 1972 UEFA Cup Finalist |
Team
GK: Bert Williams (England)
Nicknamed The Cat, Williams started with Walsall, but he spent the majority of his playing career at Wolverhampton Wanderers where he won the League Championship in 1954 and FA Cup in 1949. His career was cut duringthe war, He played 24 times for England. He played for them at the 1950 World Cup Finals. At the time of his death Williams was the oldest living England international. He was awarded a MBA by the British government.
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| Bert Williams |
Finlayson joined Millwall in 1948. He served in the air force during his time with the Den. He was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1956 as cover for Bert Williams. He became a starter in his second season. He won two league titles and the 1960 FA Cup final. The club's domestic success meant Finlayson played in the European Cup against the likes of Barcelona. He retired in 1964.
GK: Mike Stowell (England)
Stowell began his career at Preston North End in 1985, but he quickly joined Everton later in the year. In his five years at the club, he was loaned out to Chester City, York City, Manchester City, Port Vale, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Preston North End. He signed permanently with Wolves in 1990 and was their goalkeeper of choice throughout the decade. He was named as the club's Player of the Year in 1991. In July 2001, he signed with Bristol City before retiring in May 2005.
RB: Geoff Palmer (England)
Palmer was born in Cannock, Staffordshire. He spent 16 years with Wolves, playing 495 times for the club in total. A Wolves fan throughout his childhood, he joined as an apprentice in 1970. With Wolves, he won two League Cups. In the 1984-1985, he played with Burnley before returning to Wolves the following season before retiring in 1986. He was capped by England in the Under-23 level.
CB: Billy Wright (England)
Billy Wright is the first football player in the world to earn 100 caps(105 total). He also made a total of 105 appearances for England, captaining them a record 90 times, including during their campaigns at the 1950, 1954 and 1958 World Cup finals. He was one of England's finest center-backs. He spent his whole career at Wolverhampton Wanderers from 1939 to 1959. He won the FA Cup in 1949. He was the winner of FWA Footballer of the Year in 1952 and Ballon d'Or Runners Up in 1957.
Billy Wright is the first football player in the world to earn 100 caps(105 total). He also made a total of 105 appearances for England, captaining them a record 90 times, including during their campaigns at the 1950, 1954 and 1958 World Cup finals. He was one of England's finest center-backs. He spent his whole career at Wolverhampton Wanderers from 1939 to 1959. He won the FA Cup in 1949. He was the winner of FWA Footballer of the Year in 1952 and Ballon d'Or Runners Up in 1957.
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| Billy Wright |
CB: Stan Cullis (England)
Between 1934 and 1947, Stan Cullis played with Wolverhampton Wanderers. He finished runners-up in the league in 1937–38 and 1938–39. In 1939 Wolves had the chance to win The Double, but lost the championship by 5 points to Everton. They reached the FA Cup Final but lost 4–1 to Portsmouth, thus becoming the third English club to finish as runners-up in both League and FA Cup. He played 12 times for England between 1937 and 1939.
CB: John McAlle (England)
Known to his teammates as Scouse, McAlle was Wolves's first-choice centre-back throughout most of the 1970s. During this period he played in the 1972 UEFA Cup final and won the League Cup in 1974. He was also part of the side that won the Second Division championship in 1976–77. He played briefly for Sheffield United before playing two seasons with Derby County. He retired in 1984.
CB: Frank Munro (Scotland)
Frank Munro played for Dundee United and Aberdeen in his native Scotland before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1968. Here he won a League Cup winners medal while with the club, and played in the first-ever UEFA Cup Final. He briefly played for Celtic in the 1977-1978 season before heading to play in Australia. Between 1971 and 1975, he was capped 9 timed for Scotland.
LB/RB: Derek Parkin (England)
Parkin made his debut for Huddersfield Town against Bury, aged 16. In 1968, he became at the time the most expensive full-back in Britain when he joined Wolves for £80,000. He played 609 matches with them, including 501 league games, also a club record. He won the League Cup in both 1974 and 1980, and also earned a Second Division championship medal in 1976–77. He earned one senior callup in 1971 to the national team, but he never enterred the field.
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| Derek Parklin |
LB/RB: Andy Thompson (England)
Thompson began his career as with West Bromwich Albion. He moved to rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers with Steve Bull in1986 for a combined fee of £60,000. Both playwers became legend swith the club. He stayed there until 1997. Then, he played for Tranmere Rovers for 3 seasons before he joined Cardiff City in 2000. Later, he played with Shrewsbury Town, but was unsuccessful. He ended his career with Hednesford.
DM: Rúben Neves (Portugal)
Neves started his career with Porto and made his first-team debut at the age of 17. He joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017. He made 253 appearances and scored 30 goals for them, winning the EFL Championship in his first season. In 2023, he signed for Al-Hilal. He made more than 60 appearances for Portugal's national youth teams. He made his debut for Portugal at the age of 18 in 2015, and was part of their squads at Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.
DM/CM/RH: Mike Bailey (England)
Bailey started with Charlton Athletic in1959. He spent 8 seasons there in which he also served as club captain, before moving to fellow Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1966. He went on to play a central role during the club's resurgence of the Bill McGarry era, which saw the club reach the 1972 UEFA Cup Final and win the 1974 League Cup, where he lifted the trophy as captain. He won two caps for the England senior team.
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| Mike Bailey |
LM/CM/FW: Bill Slater (England)
Slater started his career as a 16-year-old amateur at Blackpool in 1944 and played in the 1951 FA Cup Final, becoming the last amateur to play in an FA Cup Final at Wembley. He briefly played for Brentford before he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers. He won 3 Football League championships (1953–54, 1957–58, 1958–59) and an FA Cup. He gained 12 caps for England (including four in the 1958 World Cup) and 20 amateur caps. He also represented Great Britain at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
RIF/AM: Peter Broadbent (England)
Broadbent started his career with non-league Dover FC until he was signed by Brentford. He joined Wolves in 1951. for a £10,000 fee. He would remain there for the next 14 years, scoring well over 100 goals and winning three league titles and an FA Cup, as well as being capped seven times at the highest level by England. He later playd for Aston Villa, Stockport County and Bromsgrove Rovers.
CM: Joao Moutinho (Portugal)
Joao Moutinho established himself at Sporting before moving to Porto. In his first season, he won the treble, including the 2011 Europa League. In 2013, Porto sold him to Monaco. For Portugal, he became a key player since Euro 2012. He was a part of the team that won the Euro 2016 in France. In 2012, he missed the penalty against Spain in semifinal shootout. Four years later, urged by Cristano Ronaldo, he converted his penalty kick against Poland. He had 146 caps.
Joao Moutinho established himself at Sporting before moving to Porto. In his first season, he won the treble, including the 2011 Europa League. In 2013, Porto sold him to Monaco. For Portugal, he became a key player since Euro 2012. He was a part of the team that won the Euro 2016 in France. In 2012, he missed the penalty against Spain in semifinal shootout. Four years later, urged by Cristano Ronaldo, he converted his penalty kick against Poland. He had 146 caps.
AM/DM: Ron Flowers (England)
Initially playing as an attacking midfield player at Wolverhampton Wanderers, he won 3 league championships and an FA Cup. In total, he made 515 appearances for the club, scoring 37 times. In the latter stages of his career he played a more defensive role. He became a player/manager with Northampton in 1967. He played 49 times for England between 1955 and 1966. He played in the 1962 World Cup Finals. He was a member of the squad that won the 1966 World Cup, being the oldest and earliest-capped member of the squad.
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| Ron Flowers |
AM: Kenny Hibbitt (England)
Hibbitt played in the Football League for Bradford Park Avenue, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City and Bristol Rovers, and in the NASL for the Seattle Sounders. In Wolves, he was a part of the team that reached the 1972 UEFA Cup Final. He played there between 1968 and 1984. His career was cut short by an injury in 1988 while with Bristol Rovers. He was capped once for England at under-23 level in 1970.
RW: Johnny Hancocks (England)
In 1938, Hancocks turned professional with Walsall, but the outbreak of World War II halted his football career. He joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1946. He finished as top goalscorer for them in the 1954–55 and 1955–56 seasons. In total, he is the 4th highest goalscorer in the club's history. His tally of 158 top-flight goals is still a club record. The likes of Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney kept him out of the national team. he only played 3 times for England.
LW/OL: Jimmy Mullen (England)
Mullen spent his whole career at Wolverhampton Wanderers where he won three English Football League championships and the FA Cup. He also represented the England national team at both the 1950 and 1954 World Cup. In total, he had 6 international goals. One of them was against Switzerland in the World Cup Finals in 1954. He also became England's first ever substitute in an international on 18 May 1950, scoring against Belgium.
LW: Dave Wagstaffe (England)
Wagstaffe made over 500 league appearances throughout his career, which saw him represent Manchester City, Wolves, Blackburn and Blackpool in England and briefly the Los Angeles Wolves in the United States. He was notably the first player to be shown a red card in the English Football League, sent off for Blackburn during a 1–0 defeat against Leyton Orient on 2 October 1976.
FW: Andy Mutch (England)
Mutch was a trainee at Liverpool and Everton but was not taken on as a professional footballer. He was playing for non-league Southport when then-Third Division Wolverhampton Wanderers signed him in1986. Alongside Steve Bull, the club jumped from fourth division to second division. He played with Swindon between 1993 and 1996 where he spent a season in the Premiership.
ST: Derek Dougan (N.Ireland)
Dougan began his career at Distillery in his native Belfast. He pkayed for Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Peterborough United and Leicester before he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1967. He helped the club to win promotion out of the 2nd Division in 1966–67, to lift the Texaco Cup in 1970 and the League Cup in 1974, and also played on in the 1972 UEFA Cup final. He played 43 times between 1958 and 1973 for North Ireland, mainly along side George Best. He represented Shamrock Rovers Best XI in 1973 against Brazil.
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| Derek Dougan |
ST: John Richards (England)
Richards spent almost all his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, where he broke the club's goalscoring record, ending with 194 goals in his tally (later overtaken by Steve Bull). During a fourteen-year association with Wolves he won two League Cups and also played in the first UEFA Cup Final in 1972. He had loan spell with Derby County at the end of his careet before playing in Portugal. He was capped once by England in 1973.
ST: Dennis Westcott (England)
Between 1938 and 1948, Westcott played for Wolverhampton Wanderers. In 193801939 season, he scored 43 goals in 43 appearances, setting a club record which stood for 50 years until it was broken by Steve Bull. Westcott played in the 1939 FA Cup Final, but Wolves were beaten by Portsmouth. During the war he played four wartime internationals for England scoring 56 goals. He scored on his only appearance for the Football League XI in March 1947.
ST: Steve Bull (England)
Bull began his professional career, aged 19 with West Bromwich Albion in 1984. He is best remembered for his 13-year spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers. He played there from 1986 to 1999, and holds the club's goalscoring record with 306 goals, which included 18 hat-tricks for the club. Between 1989 and 1990, he was capped 13 times for England, including 4 times in the 1990 World Cup Finals. He remains the last player to be capped by England from outside the top two tiers, and one of only five post-war players so honoured.
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| Steve Bull |
Honorable Mentions
Thomas Baddeley (England), Paul Bradshaw (England), Tim Flowers (England), Wayne Hennessey (Wales), Phil Parkes (England), Mike Stowell (England), Willy Boly (France), Jackery Jones (England), Gerry Harris (England), Eddie Stuart (South Africa), Bill Shorthouse (England), Stephen Ward (Ireland), Joleon Lescott (England), Emlyn Hughes (England), Joe Gardiner (England), Bill Shorthouse (England), Paul Ince (England), Jim McCalliog (Scotland), Billy Harrison (England), Adama Traoré (Spain), Robbie Dennison (N.Ireland). Raúl Jiménez (Mexico), Diogo Jota (Portugal), Ted Farmer (England), Jack Brodie (England), Jesse Pye (England), Roy Swinbourne (England), Dennis Wilshaw (England).
Squad Explanation
-- I did not work on this Wolverhampton Wanderers' team until November, 2024. They deserved to be honored in this team because they won 13 major trophies in their history, including 3 league titles in the top flight. They were more successful than some of the other English teams I have created.
-- A website named Wolvesblog named the following footballers as Wolverhampton Wanderers's 5 greatest footballers: Billy Wright, Bert Williams, John Richards, Derek Dougan and Steve Bull.
-- In 2018, Birmingham Mail also made a list of the ten best Wolverhampton Wanderers players of all time. They were Stan Cullis, Bill Slater, Bert Williams, Billy Wright, Peter Broadbent, Ron Flowers, Jimmy Mullen, John Richards, Kenny Hibbitt and Steve Bull.
-- In 2020, the 90min.com also came up with their own Top 10 greatest Wolves footballers. The list was almost identical to the one created by Birmingham Mail. Eight of the players belonged to both lists. They were Stan Cullis, Billy Wright, Bert Williams, Steve Bull, Ron Flowers, John Richards and Bill Slater. Three other players were not on the Birmingham's list. They were Derek Parkin, Dennis Westcott and Derek Dougan.
-- In 2024, the Daily Mail asked its readers to vote for the Greatest Players ever for Wolves. The result were: 1) Billy Wright, 2) Steve Bull and 3) Derek Dougan. The following players were also nominated Bert Williams, Ron Flowers, Derek Parkin, Geoff Palmer, Kenny Hibbitt, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and Conor Coady.
-- I also used Wolverhamptom Wanders' Hall of Fame as a reference, but not every Hall of Famers were selected.
-- In the 1950's, Wolverhampton Wanderers won three league titles and a FA Cup. It was their best period in history. Two of the goalkeepers on this team Bert Williams and Malcolm Finlayson were from this era. From the 1950's, I also took Billy Wright, Bill Slater, Peter Broadbent, Ron Flowers, Johnny Hancocks and Jimmy Mullen,
-- The Wolves reached the Final of the 1972 UEFA Cup, but lost to Tottenham Hotspurs 3–2 on aggregate. This group of players also won the 1974 League Cup. Geoff Palmer, Mike Baily, Frank Munro, John McAlle, Kenny Hibbitt, John Richards, Derek Dougan, Dave Wagstaffe and Derek Parkin. Several players were still with the team as they secured their second League Cup victory in 1980 by defeating Nottingham Forest. Nottingham Forest, the reigning champions of the European Cup at the time, would go on to win the European Cup again that season a few months after the League Cup final.
Goalkeepers
-- Known as 'The Cat', Bert Williams, is considered to be Wolves' greatest goalkeeper, amassing 420 appearances over a remarkable 14-year period. He helped them to win the 1949 FA Cup final against Leicester and their subsequent league title five years down the line. Malcolm Finlayson won two league title in Molineux. He is also a member of Hall of Flame. The two of them was undisputed.-- I considered a few options for the third goalkeeper. Thomas Baddeley had over 300 matches for Wolves from 1896 to 1907. Paul Bradshaw, a two-time Player of the Year, clinched the 1980 League Cup and represented them in Europe. Tim Flowers made his professional debut with the club, but he was playng in the lower divsion. Both of his seasons ended in relegation. Rui Patricio, known as one of Europe's finest goalkeepers, proved his worth at Molineux. Wayne Hennessey and Phil Parkes were also in the mix. However, discussions on a Wolves fan forum suggested that Hall of Famer Mike Stowell should take the spot as the third goalkeeper.
Defenders
-- Billy Wright played his entire club career over here. He is probably the club's greatest ever player. He is the first footballer in the world to earn 100 international caps, Wright also held the record for longest unbroken run in competitive international football. Stan Cullis was another disputed choice. He was a cultured defender who would later captained Wolves. The two were undisputed. John McAlle was not far behind the two. He was a Hall of Flamer from here. He played in the 1972 UEFA Cup Final and won the League Cup in 1974. Furthermore, he was a stopper who could play next to both Cullis and Wright.
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| John McAlle |
-- The last central defender was between Conor Coady and Frank Munro. Coady played over 300 games for the club, captaining the team and being its heart and soul. He made it to the Europa League Team of the Year in 2020 when Wolves reached the quarterfinals. In 2020, he was capped by England and also became the first Wolves player since Steve Bull in the 1990's to start for the national team. I faced a tough decision between him and the Hall of Famer Frank Munro, who was integral to the team that reached the final of the 1972 UEFA Cup. Munro represented a golden era of the club, with his name synonymous with its history. While Coady came close to making the team, nostalgia ultimately prevailed, leading me to select the older Munro.
-- Emlyn Hughes arrived in Molineux when he was nearly 32 years old. He captained the side as they won the League Cup, a trophy he never won in Liverpool. However, he only played 56 matches for the team. Joleon Lescott was a homegrown player, but he also played only in the lower division during his time over here. Those two did not stay long enough. Joe Gardiner played for the club between 1933 and 1944. He was largely forgotten by the younger fans. He only made honorable mention.
-- Geoff Palmer spent 16 years with Wolves. He was one of four Wolves players to feature in both of their League Cup triumphs. He was nominated by Daily Mail as one of the candidates for Wolves' greatest player. Jackery Jones on the other hand played for Wolves between 1900 and 1913. He holds the distinction of being the first Wolves player to achieve 300 League appearances and was selected to play for the Football League against the Irish League in Belfast in 1904. However, I did not select another rightback because Andy Thompson could cover both sides of the fullback position. Derek Parkin was also a rightback in the beginning of his career.
-- Derek Parkin holds the club record for most appearances, surpassing 600 games. Initially brought in as a right-back, he evolved into the club's standout left-back. Andy Thompson, who arrived alongside Steve Bull, played a pivotal role in reshaping the team. Capable of operating as a right or left back, Thompson showcased his versatility by seamlessly transitioning to roles in midfield, including as a wing-back or side midfielder. Both Parkin and Thompson were indispensable. They kept Gerry Harris off the team.
Midfielders/Wingers
-- Bill Slater was often listed as one of Wolves' Top 10 greatest footballers by both Brimingham Mail and 90min.com. He could cover many positions. He won two league titles for them. He also served as Duncan Edwards' replacement in the 1958 World Cup Finals. He was known for neutralising Didi in Sweden. He was named the FWA Player of the Year in 1960. Mike Baily was another footballer who should be selected as the deep midfielder. He was a part of the team that reached the UEFA Cup Final. In recent years, Rúben Neves was often cited as Wolves' greatest player of this century.
-- Paul Ince spent 4 seasons at the end of his career playing for Wolves. One of the seasons was spent in the Premiership. He made honorable mentions only.
-- Ron Flowers was listed by Birmingham Mail, 90min.com and Daily Mail. He was a member of the 1966 World Cup winning team. Peter Broadbent was an inside forward mainly from the right side. So he was probably an attack midfielder or right wing forward, but one source suggested that he might play in a deep position. Kenny Hibbitt would be the creative force on the team. The Birmingham Mail selected him as one of the Top 10 Greatest footballers from here.
-- João Moutinho, a European Championship winner with Portugal, spent five seasons with the club. Rarely has a player of his caliber joined this team. During his debut season, he led them to the FA Cup semifinals and was named Wolverhampton Wanderers Player of the Year. Jim McCalliog was an inside forward, but probably acted as an attack midfielder in the modern terms. He belonged to a glorious period in Wolves, but he also played 5 seasons here the same as Moutinho. In the end, I took Moutinho simply because he was a more famous international player.
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| Joao Moutinho |
Forwards
-- Derek Dougan, Steve Bull, and John Richards were unquestionable selections for the forward positions. The Wolvesblog recognized all three as among the club's five greatest players. Both Dougan and Bull were ranked in the top three by Daily Mail readers in the Wolves All-Time player poll.
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| John Richards |
-- Derek Dougan might be Wolves' greatest players. He formed a striker force with John Richards that helped the club to reach the 1972 UEFA Cup Final.
-- The acquisition of Steve Bull by Wolves transformed the club, propelling them from the Fourth Division to the Second Division within two seasons. During this two seasons, Bull netted more than 50 goals per season, cementing his pivotal role in the team's rapid ascent.
-- Then, I decided to add two more forwards. In the 1938-1939 season, Dennis Westcott scored 43 goals in 43 appearances, setting a club record which stood for 50 years until it was broken by Steve Bull. The last spot went to Andy Mutch who Steve Bull's partner in Wolves. While going over discussion among Wolves fans, many people wanted to put him as one of the greatest ever from here. I thought of adding attack midfielder Jim McCalliog and winger Billy Harrison to the team, but I stayed with Mutch who as Steve Bull's assist man during their time over here.
-- There were many other candidates for this team. Jack Brodie was a founding figure of Wolverhampton Wanderers. I gave him credit for his historical role, but not enough to make the team. Robbie Keane left too early. He only played in the lower division. Peter Knowles cut short voluntarily his career because he became a Jehovah's Witness. Raúl Jiménez and Diogo Jota probably did not stay long enough. I also came across Ted Farmer and Jesse Pye. Roy Swinbourne and Dennis Wilshaw are members of their Hall of Flame.
Formation
I could not play Steve Bull, Derek Dougan and John Richards on the same lineup.
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