1984–85 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season

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Wolverhampton Wanderers
1984–85 season
ChairmanDerek Dougan
ManagerTommy Docherty
Second Division22nd
FA Cup3rd Round
League Cup3rd Round
Top goalscorerLeague:
Ainscow, Buckland & Evans (5)
All:
Ainscow & Evans (6)
Highest home attendance16,698 (vs Birmingham City, 22 September 1984)
Lowest home attendance4,422 (vs Huddersfield Town,
6 May 1985)
Average home league attendance8,353 (league only)

The 1984–85 season was the 86th season of competitive league football in the history of English football club Wolverhampton Wanderers. They played in the second tier of the English football system, the Football League Second Division. This season would start with the club under the ownership of the Bhatti Brothers "Allied Properties" and with 1970's club legend Derek Dougan in role of chairman. A change of Manager during the off season saw Tommy Docherty hired to lead the team, succeeding Graham Hawkins who had been dismissed at the end of the previous season following relegation the top tier.[1] The team would suffer a further relegation finishing the 84/85 season in 22nd place during what was a difficult period from the club due to financial difficulties.[2]

Background

Appointment of new Manager. Scotsman, Docherty, often affectionately referred to as "The Doc" had been appointed as Manager at the Molineux based club in June 1984 following the clubs relegation from Division 1. Docherty was a well travelled player and manager, having taken charge of six different teams during the previous seven years before his appointment at the Molineux and had already spent time in the Midlands at Wolves local rivals Aston Villa where he had been sacked in 1970 with the club bottom of Division Two. By the time he had been appointed Manager at the Wolves, Docherty had already quite an eclectic Managerial experience.[3] During his first managerial role in 1967/68, Docherty had famously vowed to take Rotherham United up out of Division 2, but instead performed the opposite, taking them down to Division 3. His next big management spell was at Villa before moving overseas to manage Porto and he had also enjoyed time as an international manager with his native Scotland (guiding them towards the 1974 World Cup) but he quit this role before qualification was secured to take over as manager at Manchester United.[4] At Manchester United, Docherty experienced relegation and promotion from/to the Division 1 and secured success with his Red Devils, defeating rivals Liverpool to win the 1977 FA Cup, only for Docherty to be sacked days later due to having an affair with the club physiotherapists wife.[5] Doherty's nomadic path saw him manage several British based clubs following this for short periods and he would also spend time working in Australia at Sydney Olympic on two occasions. The later would be his last role prior to his appointment at Wolves.[6] Financial Constraints. Docherty's task at Wolves was not to be an easy one. Wolves had been spending big during the late 1970s with a showbiz fervour. An example of this was on 8 September 1979, prior to Wolverhampton Wanderers kick off at home to Crystal Palace, the Molineux crowd were treated to a pre match celebration with new player Andy Gray being presented to them. Gray signing a contract in front of the fans and media for a new British Transfer record of 1.5 Million Pounds.[7] Gray would later score the winning goal for Wolves in the 1980 League Cup Final.[8] By the late 70's however, Wolves stadium was starting to look and feel rather dated and had deteriorated from the once great stadium that had been at the forefront of modern football. The stadium where Wolves had won three league titles and famously hosted Hungarian champions Honved under the floodlights in front of 55,00 fans in 1954, pioneering modern European Club Football.[9] In 1978 The Safety of Sports Grounds Act legislature had been introduced. The Act would require all sports arena to modernise their facilities in order to host events, setting a minimum legal requirement to ensure a safe environment for staff and spectators. The Molineux Street Stand that was witnes to that great night in 1954 was now a "50 year old wooden relic". It was tired and deemed not fit for purpose under the new legislature. If Wolves intended to use the stand, it needed to be rebuilt but the Chairman Harry Marshall had bigger plans than this.[10] After the Molineux Street Stand had been declared unsafe, Marshall began planning for a whole new stadium, at an estimated cost of £10 Million Pounds, to be part funded by incoming attendance monies, It would be the first brand new permanent football stadium in the U.K. to be constructed since the Second World War and the forward thinking design was rumoured to include the possibility of installing an enclosed roof by 1984. "It is a bold move on our part and the design is revolutionary but we want to start something future generations will be proud of as we move into our second 100 years," Marshall stated in 1978.[11] The construction began with the demolition of 71 terraced houses the club had purchased to create space for the new "John Ireland Stand" and despite its completion, progress on the other stands had not begun. The project so far cost more than £2,000,000 and by 2 July 1982, the writing was on the wall with the local newspaper leading with the front-page headline "Wolves have gone bust".[12] With the building of the new infrastructure, Wolves had surmounted debts of £2,600,000 by 1982 and new investors were needed to save the club. Fortunately three suitors put their names forward for the acquisition of the club. Local businessman Sir Jack Hayward was one interested party putting forwards a proposal and Doug Ellis, chairman of local rival Aston Villa was a second, considering purchasing the club on the cheap monopoly style but, with Wolves less than an hour of away from going out of business, a consortium led by Saudi Arabian brothers Mahmud and Mohammad Bhatti were selected.[13] Fronting the bid on behalf of the Bhatti Brothers "Allied Properties" banner was Wolves 1970's legend Derek Dougan who had played for the club during the 1972 European Cup Final. Northern Irishman Dougan would be placed in charge of the football side of operations in the role of chairman adding more gravitas and credibility to the brothers proposal.[14] The Bhatti Brothers "Allied Properties" project had pinned its hopes on the redevelopment of the Molineux site and immediate surrounding area, but with more interest in the land than on the pitch, their tenure would show a genuine lack of interest and involvement in the football from the brothers and sentiment towards the club soured when they failed to secure a deal and planning permissions with the local council for an area immediately behind the Molineux stadium which they had planned to develop. With little finance and a lack of enthusiasm to secure the day-to-day funding required to run the club, the rest of the stadium fell further into disrepair and with attendances dwindling.[15][16]

Build up to the season

By the time Docherty arrived to take over for the 1984/85 season players like record signing Andy Gray had long left the club, and during the summer of '84, following relegation from the top flight, more players were to also leave. Two such players to leave in the mid season were prominent attackers Mel Eves and Wayne Clarke. 27 year old Eves had made 214 Wolves starts and scored 53 goals for the club, left Wolves to train with Mancherster City following a ruptured achilles tendon injury he picked up in his final Wolves match in 84, (eventually joining Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee) whilst Clarke, who had started 148 starts in the Old Gold and scored 30 goals also left the club for an initial £80,000, transferring to local rivals Birmingham City with a clause entitling Wolves to 50% of any future sale[17][18] Eves later stated his decision to leave was based upon the treatment he received after his injury and being offered a contract with reduced salary by Docherty whilst Clarke lists the nature of his monthly rolling contract and lack of investment in the squad.[19][20] Winger Tony Towner also departed that summer having been signed from Rotherham United only 12 months earlier for £10,000 and had become a first team regular at Molineux. Towner famously had been on then manager Graham Hawkins pre-season shopping list that was presented to Dougan, but Hawkins was furious to find that Dougan had spent so much of the budget on him whilst he and head coach Jim Barron were out of the country. Towner would move on to Charlton Athletic for just £15,000.[21][22] Perhaps most significantly was the loss of Wolves legend Kenny Hibbitt. The Midfielder, the club's second highest appearances holder (574) and tenth top scorer (114) also calling time on his Molineux career, opting for a move to Coventry City for an undisclosed fee. Asked for his thoughts on leaving the club, club legend Kenny said "Tommy Docherty came in as manager and he knew I didn't want to be around to see the club in such dire straits".[23][24][25] As the start of the season approached, there was yet more selection issues for Docherty. John Burridge, who been first choice goalkeeper for the last two season was out of contract and making demands of the club. With the season kicking off with a home game against Sheffield United, Docherty was to make a bold decision. Rather than meet Burridge's demands, the club would bring in 17 year-old academy keeper Tim Flowers for his league debut.[26][27]

The Season

Wolves season would start the season at Molineux stadium with the club hosting newly promoted Sheffield United who had finished 3rd in Division 3 the year before. Academy players Tim Flowers and Derek Ryan would make their league debuts for the club alongside new signings Alan Ainscow, Tony Evans and Tommy Langley. They were joined in the starting eleven by an experienced defence of John Humphrey, Geoff Palmer and John Pender alongside experienced wingers/utility players Paul Butler, Ian Cartwright and Alan Dodd. The game finishing Wolves 2-2 Sheffield United with Langley and Dodd scoring in front of almost 15,000 fans.[28] After 5 matches Wolves were placed 10th in the table having taken two home victories against Manchester City and Charlton Athletic, a further draw at Middlesbrough and one defeat at Leeds. The players who started in opening day fixture had continued to feature across this early period of the season and would be joined by goalscorers Mark Buckland and Paul Dougherty (who had both been signed in the back end of 1984). Wolves also brought in some experience with Celtic loan signing Jim Melrose adding to the nucleus of the squad.[29][30][31][32] During the next four games however Wolves would start to slip down the table to 15th place due to a series of back to back league defeats, including a 5-1 televised thumping at Barnsley, live on ITV, with Palmer and Flowers both giving away penalties in the match.[33] With the early progress looking respectable, Wolves approved the sale of goalkeeper John Burridge to Sheffield United (who had been out on loan to Derby County since the start of the season)[34] and added additions to their ranks with defender David Barnes signing from Ipswich Town for £44,000 and Kiwi midfielder Ricki Herbert joining from Docherty's old club Sydney Olympic for free.[35] Docherty had also wanted to make the loan signing of Jim Melrose permanent who had been impressing since his move from Celtic but was unable to secure the £40,000 being asked and he subsequently returned to Scotland ahead of the trip to play Grimsby away.[36] A period of three wins in succession would see Wolves climb a couple of positions to 13th in the table before Wolves travelled to Grimsby for their second 5-1 thumping of the season, once again televised live on ITV for the nation to see.[37] Hoping the heavy defeats were behind them, by the end of November Wolves had picked up a further four points with a 3–3 draw at home to Wimbledon and a 2–1 victory at Craven Cottage. As December approached, Wolves sat 14th in the table, with top scorers Tony Evans (5), Tommy Langley (4) and Mark Buckland (4) having a modest total of 13 goals between them.[38][39] Wolves were misfiring but must have been confident enough with progress, allowing Geoff Palmer to move to Burnley at the end of November. Palmer, having been capped 394 times for the club, was a very experienced defender and with this departure, Wolves were allowing more experience to walk out the door. Palmer left believing he had fallen out if favour with Docherty and cited that "the club just wasn't a nice place to be at the time, it wasn't being run properly, and was on its knees."[40] From December onwards, Wolves hit an awful period of form, failing to win any of the next 19 league games including a 4–1 defeat to Notts County who were relegated along with Wolves in 83-84 and would go on to finish 21st in the league.[41] Pressure was mounting in January 1985 and former fan favourite and now Chairman Derek Dougan eventually resigned from his position on the board.[16] During January Wolves continued to haemorrhage on field experience with Alan Dodd, capped 99 times for the club, 24 of them under Docherty and having scored 3 vital goals would be released, moving on to Stoke City whilst Paul Butler who had also been a prominent feature for Docherty with 22 appearances and 2 goals was loaned to Hereford United who later made the move permanent.[42] Before the season ended, top scorers and first team wingers Tony Evans (5), Tommy Langley (4), Paul Dougherty (2) and Danny Crainie would also be sent out on temporary loan spells, to be replaced by two new signings (Ray Hankin and Andy King) and two incoming loanee's (Peter Eastoe and Steve Biggins). The incoming quartet would score just one goal between them that season in what seems like a bizarre decision with the only good bit of business coming with the signing of defender Peter Zelem from Chester City and the promotion of young academy player Campbell Chapman, son of head coach Sammy Chapman[43] On 4th May 1985, Wolves travelled to Brighton & Hove Albion and received their third 5-1 thumping of the season, this time, unfortunately for West Bromwich Albion fans was not to be televised live. During the game, goalkeeper Tim Flowers received a head injury whilst stopping a 27th-minute penalty at 2–0 down. Flowers was not allowed treatment for the injury and the referee had the spot kick retaken. Whilst this was a controversial moment. There was nothing controversial about the result with Wolves officially being relegated to the third division that day.[44] The following game would be the penultimate of the season and would also be Docherty final home match at Molineux. The match would be a rare success with Wolves recording their 8th win of the season in a 2–1 victory over Huddersfield Town in front of a diminished crowd of 4,422. Down 10,400 from the crowd that had witnessed Docherty's first game in charge just eight months previous. Scott Barrett was selected in goal for the match, replacing the injured Flowers and on the scoresheet were Alan Ainscow and Derek Ryan, two players who had made their debuts for Wolves on the opening day. The decreased attendance had been a reflection on what had been a beleaguering and battering season that the club had experienced.[45][46] The final day of the season, 11 May 1985, is a date etched in the memory of many football fans as whilst Wolves were losing 3–0 to promotion hopefuls Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park (they would miss out on promotion by 1 point), 41.6 miles East, Bradford City were drawing 0–0 with Lincoln Town when a small fire started in Block G of Valley Parade, killing 56 spectators in what was a dark and tragic day for football.[47] Docherty's torrid season, which included a run of 21 games without a win had finally come to an end and he left the club in July 1985. When asked about his time at Wolves Docherty said, "I could hardly say 'no' when a club as famous as that came in for me..... But it was a hopeless task really. There was no money. I wasn't sure I'd be able to work with Derek Dougan but I accepted the challenge anyway. As for the Bhattis, I only met them twice – once when they hired me and once when they fired me." The season was full of low points for the club with several heavy defeats, strings of losses and fan favourites departing the club but Docherty giving a club debut to a young 17 year old local lad Tim Flowers, from Kenilworth (who would be named player of the year 1985) and sticking by him all season would be remembered as a high.[48] But the darker side of Docherty will also be remembered, removing Assistant Manager Jim Barron and Coach Frank Upton from their roles to make way for his family members. A decision which was challenged at an Employment Tribunal in favour of Barron/Upton.[49] Wolves would now prepare for a season in Division 3 and a search for a new manager.

Results

Football League Second Division

See also: 1984–85 Football League

A total of 22 teams competed in the Football League Second Division in the 1984–85 season. Each team played every other team twice: once at their stadium, and once at the opposition's. Three points were awarded to teams for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats.

25 August 1984 1 Wolves 2–2 Sheffield United Molineux
Dodd File:Soccerball shade.svg 17'
Langley File:Soccerball shade.svg 18'		 Edwards File:Soccerball shade.svg 50'
Arnott File:Soccerball shade.svg 80'		 Attendance: 14,908
1 September 1984 2 Leeds United 3-2 Wolves Elland Road
Wright File:Soccerball shade.svg 40'
Lorimer File:Soccerball shade.svg 63'
Wright File:Soccerball shade.svg 70'		 Ainscow File:Soccerball shade.svg 23'
Dougherty File:Soccerball shade.svg 52'		 Attendance: 17,843
4 September 1984 3 Wolves 2-0 Manchester City Molineux
Dougherty File:Soccerball shade.svg 11'
McCarthy File:Soccerball shade.svg 28' (og)		 Attendance: 13,255
8 September 1984 4 Wolves 1-0 Charlton Athletic Molineux
Langley File:Soccerball shade.svg 53' Attendance: 10,587
15 September 1984 5 Middlesbrough 1-1 Wolves Ayresome Park
Mowbray File:Soccerball shade.svg 34' Buckland File:Soccerball shade.svg 34' Attendance: 4677
19 September 1984 6 Oxford United 3-1 Wolves Manor Ground
Aldridge File:Soccerball shade.svg 15'
Biggins File:Soccerball shade.svg 74'
Aldridge File:Soccerball shade.svg 75'		 Langan File:Soccerball shade.svg 55' (og) Attendance: 11,930
22 September 1984 7 Wolves 0-2 Birmingham Molineux
Kuhl File:Soccerball shade.svg 79'
Hopkins File:Soccerball shade.svg 84'		 Attendance: 16,698
29 September 1984 8 Barnsley 5-1 Wolves Oakwell
Geddis File:Soccerball shade.svg 29'
Agnew File:Soccerball shade.svg 57'
Geddis File:Soccerball shade.svg 59'
Geddis File:Soccerball shade.svg 62' (Pen)
Owen File:Soccerball shade.svg 85'		 Dodd File:Soccerball shade.svg 21' Attendance: 5,566
6 October 1984 9 Wolves 2-3 Notts County Molineux
Buckland File:Soccerball shade.svg 9'
Langley File:Soccerball shade.svg 21'		 O'Neill File:Soccerball shade.svg 25'
Harkouk File:Soccerball shade.svg 33'
Pender File:Soccerball shade.svg 58' (og)		 Attendance: 7,676
13 October 1984 10 Oldham Athletic 3-2 Wolves Boundary Park
Parker File:Soccerball shade.svg 10'
Palmer File:Soccerball shade.svg 39'
Henry File:Soccerball shade.svg 63'		 Tony Evans File:Soccerball shade.svg 27'
Tony Evans File:Soccerball shade.svg 90'		 Attendance: 3,856
20 October 1984 11 Wolves 2-1 Crystal Palace Molineux
Tony Evans File:Soccerball shade.svg 8'
Melrose File:Soccerball shade.svg 58'		 Cummins File:Soccerball shade.svg 78' (Pen) Attendance: 6,665
27 October 1984 12 Portsmouth 0-1 Wolves Fratton Park
Melrose File:Soccerball shade.svg 58' Attendance: 15,291
3 November 1984 13 Wolves 3-0 Cardiff Molineux
Pender File:Soccerball shade.svg 59'
Buckland File:Soccerball shade.svg 66'
Tony Evans File:Soccerball shade.svg 86'		 Attendance: 7,537
10 November 1984 14 Grimsby Town 5-1 Wolves Blundell Park
Wilkinson File:Soccerball shade.svg 10'
Barnes File:Soccerball shade.svg 42' (og)
Bonnyman File:Soccerball shade.svg 51' (Pen)
Drinkell File:Soccerball shade.svg 75'
Ford File:Soccerball shade.svg 85'		 Langley File:Soccerball shade.svg 52' Attendance: 7,220
17 November 1984 15 Wolves 3-3 Wimbledon Molineux
Barnes File:Soccerball shade.svg 14'
Ainscow File:Soccerball shade.svg 36'
Butler File:Soccerball shade.svg 38'		 Cork File:Soccerball shade.svg 31'
Winterburn File:Soccerball shade.svg 74'
Morris File:Soccerball shade.svg 84'		 Attendance: 7,134
24 November 1984 16 Fulham 1-2 Wolves Craven Cottage
Houghton File:Soccerball shade.svg 17' Buckland File:Soccerball shade.svg 56'
Cartwright File:Soccerball shade.svg 68'		 Attendance: 7,049
1 December 1984 17 Wolves 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion Molineux
Young File:Soccerball shade.svg 44' Attendance: 7,463
8 December 1984 18 Huddersfield Town 3-1 Wolves Leeds Road
Cooper File:Soccerball shade.svg 40'
Cooper File:Soccerball shade.svg 41'
Burke File:Soccerball shade.svg 61'		 Buckland File:Soccerball shade.svg 31' Attendance: 8,216
15 December 1984 19 Wolves 0-3 Blackburn Rovers Molineux
Randall File:Soccerball shade.svg 46'
Quinn File:Soccerball shade.svg 80'
Quinn File:Soccerball shade.svg 82'		 Attendance: 7,598
22 December 1984 20 Wolves 0-2 Leeds United Molineux
Gray File:Soccerball shade.svg 35'
McCluskey File:Soccerball shade.svg 59'		 Attendance: 9,259
26 December 1984 21 Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Wolves Gay Meadow
Robinson File:Soccerball shade.svg 44'
McNally File:Soccerball shade.svg 78'		 Ainscow File:Soccerball shade.svg 56' Attendance: 9,183
29 December 1984 22 Manchester City 4-0 Wolves Maine Road
Barker File:Soccerball shade.svg 9'
Phillips File:Soccerball shade.svg 42'
Smith File:Soccerball shade.svg 69'
Wilson File:Soccerball shade.svg 88'		 Attendance: 22,022
1 January 1985 23 Wolves 0-2 Carlisle United Molineux
O'Riordan File:Soccerball shade.svg 22'
Poskett File:Soccerball shade.svg 29'		 Attendance: 6,246
12 January 1985 24 Wolves 0-0 Middlesbrough Molineux
Attendance: 6,152
26 January 1985 25 Sheffield United 2-2 Wolves Bramall Lane
CockerillFile:Soccerball shade.svg 46'
Pender File:Soccerball shade.svg 57' (og)		 Campbell Chapman File:Soccerball shade.svg 51'
Butler File:Soccerball shade.svg 88'		 Attendance: 9,141
2 February 1985 26 Wolves 0-1 Barnsley Molineux
Futcher File:Soccerball shade.svg 54' Attendance: 6,348
23 February 1985 27 Cardiff City 0-0 Wolves Ninian Park
Attendance: 4,694
2 March 1985 28 Wolves 0-0 Portsmouth Molineux
Attendance: 7,985
5 March 1985 29 Wolves 0-1 Grimsby Town Molineux
Ford File:Soccerball shade.svg 55' Attendance: 6,127
9 March 1985 30 Crystal Palace 0-0 Wolves Selhurst Park
Attendance: 5,413
12 March 1985 31 Charlton Athletic 1-0 Wolves The Valley
FlannaganFile:Soccerball shade.svg 24' Attendance: 3,905
16 March 1985 32 Wolves 0-3 Oldham Athletic Molineux
QuinnFile:Soccerball shade.svg 10' (Pen)
WardFile:Soccerball shade.svg 62'
PalmerFile:Soccerball shade.svg 89'		 Attendance: 5,273
23 March 1985 33 Notts County 4-1 Wolves Meadow Lane
YoungFile:Soccerball shade.svg 59'
HarkoukFile:Soccerball shade.svg 66'
HarkoukFile:Soccerball shade.svg 77'
Fashanu File:Soccerball shade.svg 87'		 Hankin File:Soccerball shade.svg 85' Attendance: 5,561
30 March 1985 34 Birmingham City 1-0 Wolves St. Andrew's (stadium)
GeddisFile:Soccerball shade.svg 80' Attendance: 10,230
6 April 1985 35 Wolves 0-1 Shrewsbury Town Molineux
Herbert File:Soccerball shade.svg 22' (og) Attendance: 7,258
8 April 1985 36 Carlisle United 0-1 Wolves Brunton Park
Evans File:Soccerball shade.svg 62' Attendance: 4021
13 April 1985 37 Wolves 1-2 Oxford United Molineux
Campbell Chapman File:Soccerball shade.svg 60' Briggs File:Soccerball shade.svg 58'
Brock File:Soccerball shade.svg 62'		 Attendance: 7,258
20 April 1985 38 Wimbledon 1-1 Wolves Brunton Park
Sayer File:Soccerball shade.svg 36' Ainscow File:Soccerball shade.svg 51' Attendance: 3,277
27 April 1985 39 Wolves 0-4 Fulham Molineux
Houghton File:Soccerball shade.svg 51'
SealyFile:Soccerball shade.svg 13'
SealyFile:Soccerball shade.svg 40'
SealyFile:Soccerball shade.svg 54'		 Attendance: 6,172
4 May 1985 40 Brighton & Hove Albion 5-1 Wolves Goldstone Ground
WorthingtonFile:Soccerball shade.svg 10'
PenneyFile:Soccerball shade.svg 24'
Worthington (Pen) File:Soccerball shade.svg 27'
BileyFile:Soccerball shade.svg 54'
ConnorFile:Soccerball shade.svg 79'		 O'ReillyFile:Soccerball shade.svg 41' (og) Attendance: 8,581
6 May 1985 41 Wolves 2-1 Huddersfield Molineux
Ainscow File:Soccerball shade.svg 37'
Derek Ryan File:Soccerball shade.svg 49'		 LillisFile:Soccerball shade.svg 55' (Pen) Attendance: 4,422
11 May 1985 42 Blackburn Rovers 3-0 Wolves Ewood Park
FazackerleyFile:Soccerball shade.svg 40' (Pen)
KeeleyFile:Soccerball shade.svg 63'
LoweyFile:Soccerball shade.svg 64'		 Attendance: 9,543

[23] Final table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
17 Charlton Athletic 42 11 12 19 47 63 0-13 45
18 Sheffield United 42 10 14 18 54 66 0-12 44
19 Middlesbrough 42 10 10 22 41 57 0-16 40
20 Notts County (R) 42 10 7 25 40 73 0–33 37
21 Cardiff City (R) 42 9 8 25 47 79 0-32 35
22 Wolverhampton Wanderers 42 8 9 25 37 79 0-42 33

Source: Footballstatisticsresults.co.uk Results by round

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
ResultDLWWDLLLLLWWWLDWLLLLLLLDDLDDLDLLLLLWLDLLWL
Position9161181011141415191716131716141315151518202020202020202020202021212120202122222222
Source: Statto.com
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

FA Cup

See also: 1984–85 FA Cup
5 January 1985 R3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1–1 Huddersfield Town Molineux
Pender File:Soccerball shade.svg 40' Tempest File:Soccerball shade.svg 32' Attendance: 8,593
23 January 1985 R3 Replay Huddersfield Town 3–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Leeds Road
Lillis File:Soccerball shade.svg 39' (Pen)
Lillis File:Soccerball shade.svg 46'
PughFile:Soccerball shade.svg 87'		 Ainscow File:Soccerball shade.svg 56' Attendance: 7,055

League Cup

See also: 1984–85 Football League Cup

Round 2

24 September 1984 Round 2.1 Port Vale 1–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers Vale Park
Brown File:Soccerball shade.svg 30' Evans File:Soccerball shade.svg 49'
Dodd File:Soccerball shade.svg 83'		 Attendance: 6.949
9 October 1984 Round 2.2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–0 Port Vale Molineux
Pender File:Soccerball shade.svg 40' Tempest File:Soccerball shade.svg 32' Attendance: 5,964

Wolves Progress on Aggregate Results Round 3

30 October 1984 Round 3.1 Southampton 2–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers The Dell
WrightFile:Soccerball shade.svg 35'
WallaceFile:Soccerball shade.svg 89'		 Melrose File:Soccerball shade.svg 22'
Melrose File:Soccerball shade.svg 47'		 Attendance: 14,164
6 November 1984 Round 3.2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–2 Southampton Molineux Stadium
Wallace File:Soccerball shade.svg 13'
JordanFile:Soccerball shade.svg 89'		 Attendance: 13,064

Wolves Lost on Aggregate Results

Players

Key:
  ‡ On loan from another club   * First appearance(s) for the club

Correct as of end of season. Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances in parentheses where applicable.

PosNamePGPGPGPGPG A yellow card A red card Notes
League FA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDiscipline
GK England Tim Flowers 38 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 44 0 0 0
GK England Scott Barrett 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0
GK England John Burridge 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0
DF England John Humphrey 42 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 48 0 2 0
DF Republic of Ireland John Pender 34(2) 1 2 1 3 0 0 0 39(2) 2 9 0
DF England David Barnes 23 1 2 0 3 0 0 0 28 1 1 0
DF England Alan Dodd 20 2 0 0 4 1 0 0 24 3 2 0
DF England Peter Zelem 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 1 0
DF England Geoff Palmer 8 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 9 0 1 0
DF England David Heywood 7 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0
DF England Mick Coady 6(1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6(1) 0 0 0
DF England Nicky Sinclair 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
MF England Alan Ainscow 40(2) 5 2 1 2(1) 0 0 0 44(3) 6 5 0
MF England Ian Cartwright 23 1 1 0 4 0 0 0 28 1 0 0
MF New Zealand Ricki Herbert 25 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 27 0 0 0
MF England Paul Dougherty 10 (11) 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 12 (11) 2 0 0
MF England Paul Butler 17 (1) 2 0 (1) 0 3 0 0 0 20 (2) 2 0 0
MF Scotland Danny Crainie 13 0 0 0 1(1) 0 0 0 14 (1) 0 2 0
MF Republic of Ireland Derek Ryan 6(4) 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 8 (4) 1 0 0
MF Republic of Ireland Martin Bayly 2(1) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 (1) 0 0 0
FW England Mark Buckland 31(4) 5 2 0 4 0 0 0 37(4) 5 1 0
FW England Tommy Langley 22(1) 4 2 0 2(1) 0 0 0 26(2) 4 0 0
FW England Tony Evans 20(3) 5 1 0 3 1 0 0 24(3) 6 0 0
FW England Campbell Chapman 18(2) 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 24(3) 2 1 0
FW England Ray Hankin 9(1) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 9(1) 1 0 0
FW Scotland Jim Melrose 6(1) 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 8(1) 4 0 0
FW England Peter Eastoe 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0
FW England Andy King 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 2 0
FW England Steve Biggins 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0
FW England Cavern Chapman 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
FW England Steve Blackwell 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
FW England Graham Rodger 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

Source: Wolverhampton Wanderers: The Complete Record[24][25]

Transfers

In

Date Player From Fee
26 June 1984 England Tony Evans Crystal Palace Free
6 July 1984 England Tommy Langley Coventry City Free
22 August 1984 England Alan Ainscow Eastern Hong Kong Undisclosed
25 August 1984 England Tim Flowers Wolves Under 18 Free
25 August 1984 England Derek Ryan (footballer) Wolves Under 18 Free
27 September 1984 England Scott Barrett Ilkeston Town Undisclosed
3 October 1984 England David Barnes Ipswich Town £44,000
30 October 1984 New Zealand Ricki Herbert Sydney Olympic Free
29 December 1984 England Dayid Heywood Wolves Under 18 Free
23 February 1984 England Campbell Chapman Wolves Under 18 Free
10 January 1985 England Mick Coady Sydney Olympic Undisclosed
31 January 1985 England Andy King SC Cambuur Undisclosed
23 February 1985 England Cavern Chapman Wolves Under 18 Free
8 March 1985 England Peter Zelem Chester City £15,000
9 March 1985 England Ryan Hankin Peterborough United Free
20 April 1985 England Steve Blackwell Wolves Under 18 Free

Source: Wolves Complete History: Transfers A-Z[50]

Out

Date Player To Fee
4 July 1984 England Melvyn Eves Sheffield United Free
13 August 1984 England Kenny Hibbitt Coventry City Undisclosed
24 August 1984 England Steve Mardenborough Swansea City Free
24 August 1984 England Wayne Clarke Birmingham City £80,000
12 September 1984 England Tony Towner Charlton Athletic £15,000
26 October 1984 England John Burridge Sheffield United Undisclosed
22 November 1984 England Geoff Palmer Burnley Undisclosed
19 January 1985 England Alan Dodd Stoke City Released
May 1985 England Cavern Chapman - Released
May 1985 England Steve Blackwell - Released

Source: Wolves Complete History: Transfers A-Z[50]

Loans in

Start date Player From End date
13 September 1984 Scotland Jim Melrose Celtic Unknown
22 September 1984 England Nicky Sinclair Oldham Athletic Unknown
18 January 1985 England Peter Zelem Chester City 8 March 1985 (Made Permanent)
8 February 1985 England Peter Eastoe West Bromwich Albion Unknown
9 March 1985 England Steve Biggins Derby County Unknown

Source: Wolves Complete History: Transfers A-Z[50]

Loans out

Start date Player From End date
21 September 1984 England John Burridge Derby County 26 October 1984
21 January 1985 Republic of Ireland Martin Bayly Coventry City Made Permanent
7 February 1985 England Paul Dougherty Torquay United
18 January 1985 England Paul Butler Hereford Made Permanent
27 February 1985 England Tony Evans Bolton Wanderers
8 March 1985 England Tommy Langley Aldershot
13 March 1985 Scotland Danny Crainie Blackpool

Source: Wolves Complete History: Transfers A-Z[50]

Management and coaching staff

Position Name
Manager Tommy Docherty
Assistant manager Jim Barron
Head coach Sammy Chapman
Coach Frank Upton

References

  1. ↑ "On this day: New Wolves owners axe manager". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  2. ↑ "Decade of Decline: Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1980s". footballwhispers.com. 22 January 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  3. ↑ Cusack, Richard (31 December 2020). "Former Aston Villa and Wolves manager Tommy Docherty dies aged 92". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  4. ↑ "Tommy Docherty: The irrepressible Scot who always had a one-liner at the ready". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  5. ↑ "Former Manchester United and Scotland manager Tommy Docherty dies at 92". Reuters. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  6. ↑ 1981 - Mike Hill Interviews Sydney Olympic Coach Tommy Docherty, retrieved 26 January 2023
  7. ↑ "Gray reflects on the original big deal". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  8. ↑ Wolverhampton-Nottigham Forest 1-0 League Cup Final 1979-80 HQ, retrieved 26 January 2023
  9. ↑ "The night Wolves became 'champions of the world' against Honved | Nick Miller". the Guardian. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  10. ↑ "From 1958 to 2010 – What Molineux could have been". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  11. ↑ "From 1958 to 2010 – What Molineux could have been". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  12. ↑ "Wolves' bankruptcy in 1982, 40 years on: How former players are still giving something back in old gold and black". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  13. ↑ "Decade of Decline: Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1980s". footballwhispers.com. 22 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  14. ↑ 1972 UEFA Cup Final - Spurs 3 Wolves 2 (on agg), retrieved 26 January 2023
  15. ↑ "Wolves' bankruptcy in 1982, 40 years on: How former players are still giving something back in old gold and black". Sky Sports. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Decade of Decline: Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1980s". footballwhispers.com. 22 January 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  17. ↑ Wollaston, Steve (13 March 2013). "Nostalgia gallery: Wayne Clarke". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  18. ↑ "User account". infoweb.newsbank.com. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  19. ↑ "Former Player Remembers: Wayne Clarke". www.lcfc.com. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  20. ↑ Development, PodBean. "Mel Eves - '21 or bust' | The Wolf Whistle Podcast". wolfwhistle.podbean.com. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  21. ↑ "Flying winger Tony 'Tiger' Towner immortalised in children's TV programme". In parallel lines. 5 March 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  22. ↑ Hawkins, Kirstie (2022). A marriage made in football. Amazon. pp. 115–116. ISBN 9798839490499.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "1984/85 Canon League Second Division". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Matthews, Tony (2008). Wolverhampton Wanderers: The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. ISBN 978-1-85983-632-3.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Appearances & Scorers 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  26. ↑ "Tim Flowers | SaintsPlayers.co.uk". Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  27. ↑ "Wolves Heroes » Blog Archive » Doc Failed To Cure Wolves' Ills". Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  28. ↑ "Sheffield United (H) 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  29. ↑ "Leeds United (a) 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  30. ↑ "Manchester City (H) 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  31. ↑ "Charlton Athletic (H) 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  32. ↑ "Middlesbrough (a) 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  33. ↑ "Barnsley (a) 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  34. ↑ "John Burridge Article". S24SU Forum | Sheffield United Community. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  35. ↑ Admin (4 January 2021). "Ricki Herbert: 'Inspirational' Docherty helped teach me how to coach". Ricki Herbert Football Academy. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  36. ↑ Development, PodBean. "Jim Melrose - 'The Loan Ranger' | The Wolf Whistle Podcast". wolfwhistle.podbean.com. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  37. ↑ "Grimsby Town (a) 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  38. ↑ "Wimbledon (H) 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  39. ↑ "Fulham (a) 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  40. ↑ "From fan to a Molineux great, Geoff Palmer played in every division for Wolves". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  41. ↑ "Notts County (a) 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  42. ↑ "Transfers". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  43. ↑ "Transfers". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  44. ↑ "Brighton & Hove Albion (a) 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  45. ↑ "Huddersfield Town (H) 1984/85". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  46. ↑ Howell, Bill (22 February 2013). "Wolves are haunted by the spectre of 1985". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  47. ↑ "Bradford City FC stadium fire | 11th May 1985 | Fire Brigades Union". www.fbu.org.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  48. ↑ "Wolves Heroes » Blog Archive » Doc Failed To Cure Wolves' Ills". Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  49. ↑ "Wolves Heroes » Blog Archive » Doc's Orders Were A Bitter Pill". Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 50.3 "Transfers A". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
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