Wolverhampton Wanderers

Call for Cardiff fans' ban U-turn
Football supporters have united to call for a lifting of a ban on Cardiff City fans from next month's Championship match at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The ban on 20 January follows crowd trouble which marred two previous games between the sides at Wolves' ground. The official supporters' clubs at both clubs say the ban should be scrapped. Wolves said their decision had been ratified by the Football League but the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) said it set a \"dangerous precedent\". The FSF, which represents more than 140,000 football fans in England and Wales, said the decision to ban Cardiff fans from the match represented a surrender to violence. It said it hopes, even at this late stage, the decision will be reversed, and it plans to write to the league on behalf of fans everywhere. 'Dividing line' Wolves have indicated that the decision was taken \"owing to problems with visiting supporters over the past two seasons\". Seats will only be sold to home fans with a history of buying tickets. Two police officers were taken to hospital and 17 people arrested by West Midlands Police for disturbances inside and outside Molineux at the last match in March. Cardiff City FC was later charged by the Football Association of Wales for failing to control their fans at the game The FSF fears the move to ban fans could lead to similar bans elsewhere. Chairman Malcolm Clarke said:\"I think it's an extremely unfortunate and very short sighted move. \"It draws a dividing line between the vast majority of Cardiff supporters on one side and the police and authorities on the other.\" Mr Clarke said the FSF had been \"very disappointed\" in the attitude taken by Wolves and the police. He said he understood the main reason for the blanket ban was the \"considerable disturbance\" at the last Wolves-Cardiff match but the federation knows that some of the Cardiff fans' behaviour was \"exacerbated by heavy-handedness\" by police. The FSF protest was welcomed by the Cardiff City Supporters' Club, which also opposes the ban. Spokesman Vince Alm said: \"For the tradition of the game both sets of fans should be allowed to all matches.\" Mr Alm also said he knew of Cardiff fans who have already joined supporters clubs in the West Midlands just to get tickets for the January game. \"They will go in and they will just sit on their hands and watch the game.\"

Wolves v Barnsley
Wolves hope to welcome back Jody Craddock after the centre-back missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Colchester with an Achilles tendon injury. But forward Jay Bothroyd is likely to be out once more with a thigh problem.

Wolves sign McIndoe and Kightly
Wolves have confirmed the permanent signing of wingers Michael McIndoe and Michael Kightly, following loan spells with the Championship club. Both players have signed two-and-a-half year contracts, keeping them at Molineux until June 2009. Wolves will pay £250,000 to Barnsley for 27-year-old McIndoe while Grays Athletic will receive a nominal fee to for Kightly, 20. Wolves manager Mick McCarthy signed the two players on loan in November.

Owls sign Wolves striker Clarke
Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws made his first permanent signing of the January transfer window by securing Wolves striker Leon Clarke. The 21-year-old has agreed terms on a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee. "I believe Leon will be a great acquisition to the team, said Laws. "He gives me a different option up front to those that we currently have. That will enable me to change things when required."

Souness offer rejected by Wolves
Championship side Wolves have turned down a takeover bid from a consortium headed by Graeme Souness. Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said that discussions had taken place with a number of potential investors. But he said that the offer from the Souness consortium was "significantly below proposals already put forward by other parties". Moxey added that Wolves have appointed investment bank Rothschild to advise the club on any prospective offers. Rothschild advised on the takovers at Manchester United and Aston Villa and have worked with Arsenal, Liverpool and the Premier League. Wolves owner Sir Jack Hayward has made it clear that he will sell hs controlling interest in the club in exchange for a substantial cash investment. Moxey added: "It is Sir Jack's and the board's over-riding desire to attract an investment that provides Wolves with the best chance of establishing and maintaining itself as a top Premiership club." Souness, who has been out of football since he was sacked by Newcastle in February 2006, was believed to have made a verbal £20m offer last week. After tabling the formal written offer Souness said revealed that his consortium comprised UK-born individuals. "Myself and my partners - all of whom are UK-born and based - made a written offer which is being considered," said the former Liverpool and Rangers favourite. "Both parties have agreed to keep these negotiations confidential." And he added that his plan for Wolves was "exciting" and one "which supporters would find appealing". Souness attended Wolves' game against Barnsley at Molineux on New Year's Day as a guest of the club after meeting Moxey on a flight back from Florida. Meanwhile, Hayward has pledged to make additional funding available for manager Mick McCarthy to spend during the January transfer window. Moxey said: "Sir Jack will not profit from any takeover himself - any investment would go into the club. "In the meantime Sir Jack will continue to support the club."

Wolves waiting on Mulgrew injury
Wolves are waiting to discover the extent of Charlie Mulgrew's injury that he picked up in the warm-up of Scotland's under-21 match on Tuesday. The defender damaged ankle ligaments while preparing for the friendly game against Germany at Broadwood. Club physio Barry Holmes confirmed the injury was not the ankle that has already kept Mulgrew on the sidelines for several weeks this season. Holmes told the club website: "This is a very common injury for footballers."

Budtz extends Wolves loan spell
Wolves have retained the services of on-loan Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper Jan Budtz for a further six weeks. Budtz, who signed as cover for the injured Michael Oakes and Carl Ikeme in January, made his Wolves debut at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. The 27-year-old told Wolves' website: "There is a really hungry team here with talent who want to win games." Budtz joined Doncaster from Dabish club in May 2005 but has not figured for the League One side since September.

Rosa decides to leave Cheltenham
Wolves midfielder Denes Rosa has ended his loan spell with League One strugglers Cheltenham Town. The Hungarian international was restricted to just three starts during his month's stay with the Robins and has opted to return to Molineux. Boss John Ward told Cheltenham's website: "I was unable to guarantee him a first-team place and he wants to be playing regularly." Rosa, 30, joined Wolves from Ferencvaros in January 2006.

Gyepes parts company with Wolves
Wolves defender Gabor Gyepes' contract has been terminated by mutual consent. The 25-year-old, whose deal was due to run until the summer of 2008, has been out since March 2006, when he suffered cruciate knee ligament damage. Boss Mick McCarthy said: "Gabor will continue his rehabilitation in Hungary. It has been a long time to be out. "Every time he has looked like coming back, he has had another setback. He is not finished, though, and I hope he can return to playing again soon."

McNamara waiting on Wolves word
Wolves defender Jackie McNamara will wait to see what the Molineux club have to offer him before deciding what his future holds beyond the summer. The Scotland international, nearing the end of his contract, has been linked with Hibernian and Livingston. But the 33-year-old insists he has had no contact with either Scottish club. "I will wait until we see if we get into the play-offs and hopefully get up to the Premiership and sit down and speak to Wolves then," said McNamara. Mick McCarthy's side sit in sixth place in the Coca-Cola Championship, a point above the chasing pack in the race for the play-offs. But Livingston chairman Pearse Flynn is keen on McNamara being assistant to Craig Brewster should he persuade the Aberdeen striker to take up the managerial vacancy. "To be honest, I didn't know anything about that until someone told me it was in the papers," he said. He would, however, consider a coaching role at some point. "I think, further down the line, that's something I possibly will go into, but just now I'm concentrating on playing for Wolves," he said. McNamara, who was back at Celtic Park on Tuesday in a re-union of championship-winning captains, was also linked with a move to Hibernian earlier this season. With his former Scotland team-mate John Collins in charge at Easter Road and his father, also Jackie, a former Hibs player and a staunch supporter, he has plenty of ties with the Edinburgh club. "I think that's about the only thing - the family tie," he said. "You are going to be linked with different things because of that. "But I haven't spoken to anyone there and I haven't any intention of doing so until I know what is happening down the road."

Wolves to offer Kightly new deal
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy says he is set to offer winger Michael Kightly a new improved contract. The 21-year-old signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Molineux when he made his loan move from Grays Athletic permanent in the January transfer window. McCarthy told his club's website: "We said when he came in that we would reward him if he did well and that is what we will do. "He has come a long way since he arrived here. It's been remarkable."

Kightly signs new Wolves contract
Wolves have calmed fears about winger Michael Kightly's future at the club by securing him on a new four-year deal. The 21-year-old joined on loan from Grays in November 2006 before earning a two-and-half-year deal in January 2007. His form helped the club into the Championship play-offs and saw Kightly linked with several clubs. "I have said from day one that I'm happy here and would sign a longer contract if I was offered on," Kightly told his club's website. "The discussions on personal terms went well and now I can look forward to another four good years here." Wolves lost to derby rivals West Brom in the semi-finals of the play-offs but Kightly has set his sights on helping the club into the Premier League after signing the improved deal. "The ambition is to kick on and get into the Premier League and I want to be part of it and play at the highest level," he added. Wolves are close to being taken over by businessman Steve Morgan and are hopeful of luring Southend striker Freddy Eastwood to the club to bolster their squad. And Kightly, who has backed the signing of 23-year-old Eastwood, now seems to be the blueprint for the type of player Wolves are trying to capture. The club's chief executive Jez Moxey said: "Michael has made a big impression on everyone since he joined us. "It was a big step up for him from non-league football and he has handled it superbly. "He has also been an exemplary professional and is a great personality around the club. "He has typified the sort of player we want here at Wolves - young, talented and a desire to work had for the cause."

Wolves legend Dougan dies aged 69
Former Northern Ireland and Wolves forward Derek Dougan has died, aged 69. Nicknamed the Doog, he will be remembered as one of the great characters of the game, as well as being a very effective centre-forward. Dougan scored over 120 goals for Wolverhampton Wanderers and was in their victorious 1974 League Cup side. He won 43 international caps and before joining Wolves played for Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Peterborough United and Leicester City. Dougan was also an outspoken chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association. His time there overlapped with former PFA deputy chief executive Brendon Batson, who recalled: "Derek was a great champion of players' rights and conditions and he was integral part of current terms players enjoy now. "For many years, players were treated like cattle. But he was very, very outspoken in saying that players had an important role to play and they deserved to be free and masters of their own fate." Current PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor also paid tribute to Dougan. "He was one of the game's most colourful characters and I was very proud to have served with him and worked under him," said Taylor. "I had eight years under him as chairman and he led the PFA, along with my predecessor Cliff Lloyd, all through negotiations in establishing a constitution and a collective bargaining agreement, which have stood the test of time." Born in Belfast in January 1938, Dougan played for Irish League club Distillery before joining Portsmouth. Dougan remained at Fratton Park until March 1959 when he joined Blackburn Rovers for £15,000. He spent two-and-a-half years at Ewood Park before signing for Aston Villa in July 1961. Two years later Dougan was off again, this time to Peterborough United. In the summer of 1966, he switched to another club, Leicester City, before securing his place with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1967. In just over eight seasons at the Molineux, Dougan made 320 first team appearances for Wolves netting over 120 goals. He helped the club regain get back to the First Division status in 1967 and played when they beat Manchester City in the 1974 League Cup final. Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said: "Everyone at Molineux will be saddened by this news. "Derek was a very talented and colourful footballer who was much loved by the supporters during the years that he wore the Wolves shirt." Dougan made his Northern Ireland debut against Czechoslovakia during the 1958 World Cup in Sweden and his final international appearance was in 1973. During his time with Northern Ireland, he struck up a lasting friendship with George Best. In December 2005, Dougan joined other former Northern Ireland team-mates in carrying the coffin at Best's funeral.

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