Underrated Gold | Clive Corbett

Selecting the players, games and kits from Old Gold history he deems to be the most underrated is historian, author and regular wolves.co.uk contributor, Clive Corbett. Goalkeeper | Marl Kendall A mainstay of Graham Turner’s all-conquering team of the late 1980s, Mark’s move to Molineux in 1987 led to back-to-back promotions and the Sherpa Van Trophy win in 1988. His tally of clean sheets – 28 in 1987/88 – remains a club record and having played the 177 games for Wolves, Mark moved to Swansea City. Mark tragically collapsed and died at home on 1st May 2008, aged only 49. Defender | John McAlle Arriving at Wolves in May 1965 as an apprentice, ‘Scouse’ would make 509 appearances between 1968 and 1981, putting him sixth in the club’s all-time appearance list. He partnered Frank Munro in the centre of defence on a staggering 272 occasions. His contributions all too often went under the radar, but the Liverpudlian produced a man-of-the-match display in the 1974 League Cup final. Forward | Hugh Curran Whilst with Wolves, Hughie earned five full caps for his country, becoming the first Wolves player to be capped for Scotland. He was top scorer in the 1969/70 season, notching 22, and the year after got 16 (featuring his only hat-trick for the club) in 28 games. Although not being the tallest of strikers, he had the knack of seemingly being able to hang in the air and outjump taller defenders. Midfielder | Kevin Foley A right-back who could also feature in midfield, Kevin spent seven-and-a-half years at Molineux and featured in 49 games in 2007/08 and just two fewer the following season when Wolves won the Championship – which also saw him win the Player of the Season award. His most successful top-flight season was in 2010/11 when he scored twice in 33 outings. Manager | Sammy Chapman Belfast-born Sammy joined Wolves’ scouting staff in October 1983 and he took on the managerial reins in a caretaker capacity on two occasions when few others seemed to care. The first was at the start of the 1985/86 season when Wolves had dropped into the Third Division. Sammy was swiftly put to one side when Bill McGarry returned, only to leave after 61 days, and Sammy was called back for the rest of the season. Match | Tottenham 1-3 Wolves, 1974 The 1973/74 season is rightly remembered for a famous League Cup win, but few recall an away league win that kick-started a season seemingly spiralling towards relegation. Wolves had won on just three occasions by that point, but the unexpected victory at White Hart Lane was inspired by a super left-wing display by Dave Wagstaffe, and goals from Barry Powell, Geoff Palmer and Kenny Hibbitt. Season | 2013/14 Cometh the hour, cometh the man – enter Kenny Jackett. He gave back pride to a club that had lost both their direction and rapport with their loyal fan base. Wolves won the third-tier title with a record points haul of 103, scoring 89 goals. Perhaps the importance of the season is not completely underestimated, but the contribution of Kenny and his men can all too easily be forgotten. Shirt | Start of 1973/74 home Starting with the curtain-raising third-fourth-place FA Cup match at Arsenal, Wolves sported an open-necked shirt, modelled here by Dave Wagstaffe, on 10 occasions (including nine in the league) in August and September. The shirt was not even worn in the pre-season team photograph, nor UEFA Cup matches, and was seen for the last time at Chelsea on 29th September 1973. This article originally featured in Wolves' official 2025/26 matchday programme. Last season's programmes are still available to purchase online through retailers Curtis Sports.