wolves events
Thomas Publications are emerging as event organisers as well as producers of quality football books.
Forever Wolves launch
On a Friday afternoon in October, 2002, around 35 former Wolverhampton Wanderers players descended on Molineux’s Terrace Bar for the launch of Forever Wolves.
Among those present at the signing session, which was also attended by hundreds of supporters, were Peter Broadbent, Sammy Chung, Ray Crawford, Steve Daley, Norman Deeley, Jimmy Dunn, Mel Eves, Malcolm Finlayson, Ron Flowers, Bobby Mason, John McAlle, Frank Munro, Phil Parkes, Gary Pierce, John Richards, Bill Shorthouse, Bill Slater, Sammy Smyth, Eddie Stuart, Bobby Thomson, Dave Wagstaffe, Johnny Walker, Dennis Wilshaw, Bert Williams and former World Cup final referee Jack Taylor.
Thomas Publications subsequently pledged a four-figure donation to the Wolves Former Players Association as a thank-you to both the players for their assistance and the efforts of their committee in bringing about such a good turn-out at the buffet-and-bar function.
Running With Wolves book signings
Wolves fans had two signing sessions in three days to enjoy when the 2004 Christmas shopping rush entered its final straight.
Steve Bull, the deserving subject of Thomas Publications' first product back in 1995, was present in the Molineux club shop before the visit of Crewe Alexandra and happily signed copies of Running With Wolves and posed for photographs.
And six past and present players turned out at the same venue two days later on December 22 for a two-hour stint aimed at promoting the same publication.
John Richards, Frank Munro and Steve Daley – two of them full internationals and, the other, Britain’s one-time most expensive footballer – were joined by their modern-day counterparts Matt Murray, Lee Naylor and Jody Craddock.
Bull, Richards, Munro, Daley and Murray were among author Peter Lansley's chosen 15 interviewees for Running With Wolves.
Their attendance attracted a turn-out well into three figures on each occasion and ensured many Wolves fans not only received the present they wanted for Christmas - but one with a special extra touch.
Stars recall The Glory Years
Eight of the Molineux greats returned to the club on November 24, 2005, to meet supporters and sign copies of Wolves: The Glory Years - the latest book paying tribute to their fantastic deeds.
Bert Williams, Jimmy Dunn, Bill Shorthouse, Ron Flowers, Eddie Stuart, Roy Swinbourne, Malcolm Finlayson and George Showell were present for two hours to share nostalgic memories with around 200 fans.
Williams, Dunn and Shorthouse played in the 1949 FA Cup final victory over Leicester and Flowers, Finlayson and Showell appeared in the win over Blackburn in the 1960 final.
The two games provided the start and end of Wolves' golden 11-year spell, in which they won three League titles as well as two FA Cups.
Author David Instone said of the turn-out: "It was wonderful that so many players were able to attend the get-together and chat about the old times among themselves once again.
"We initially asked seven players to be present for the signing session, thinking maybe four or five would be able to make it. But they all said yes and, by way of a bonus, Roy Swinbourne spoke to Bill Shorthouse in the meantime and brought him along as well!
"We know Eddie Stuart and George Showell had a particularly arduous journey as the session was held on a bitterly cold day and they now live in north Wales, so we'd like to thank all the players for the efforts they made to be with us.
"It was noticeable that supporters, as well as buying copies of the book and getting them signed, were milling round in the shop for ages, obviously just enjoying being in the company of these guys.
"We're delighted that the book has been so well received and that we've been able to do some justice to what Wolves achieved under Stan Cullis half a century or so ago."
Thomas Publications, producers of Wolves: The Glory Years, recently made a £1,000 donation to the Wolves Former Players Association.