We begin, ahead of Sunday’s latest Premier League game, with Wolves hero, Steve Bull.
Biography
You think of Wolves. You think of Steve Bull.
That’s the ultimate compliment you can pay to the man known as Bully.
After joining from neighbours West Bromwich Albion in 1986, Bull helped Wolves win the Fourth Division and Third Division titles in successive seasons, plus the Sherpa Van Trophy.
He became the only player ever to score a half century of goals for his Club in successive seasons too.
Bull is a Midlands football legend and a god to Wolves fans – for his goalscoring prowess but also his heart and effort every time he put on the gold and black shirt.
In 1989, he joined a select band of Third Division players to be capped for England when he came on as sub and scored against Scotland - the first of four international goals in 13 appearances.
When injury ended his career, Bull had scored 306 goals and collected 18 hat-tricks – both club records.
During his illustrious career, he came up against some City greats and here he selects his best sky blue XI.
Eric Nixon
I’ve chosen Eric because he was just a very, very good goalkeeper. He was incredibly reliable. You felt safe knowing he was behind you.
He actually came on loan to Wolves in the 1986/87 season, where we just missed out on promotion in the Play-Offs, so I got to play alongside him. He was a top pro and a top guy.
Ian Brightwell
He was a good lad and a good player. He was up and down on that right-hand side, again very reliable, very responsible.
He was very quick – able to get forward and get back, too.
But, above all, he was a lovely, lovely lad. He was very quiet off the pitch but a very good player on it.
Paul Lake
What a player – and just imagine what he could have been if injury hadn’t shortened his career?
I know he could play in midfield but I’ve got him as centre-half in my team, which he could do without breaking sweat!
I know he got injured which forced him to retire early. But, when he did play, he was superb.
He was a young up-and-coming player but he oozed class when he played and he was old beyond his years.
I know people at City think he could have been one of their best ever – and that’s saying something!
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He had a career short lived. But people still talk about him even now. That tells you something.
Off the pitch, he was a real gentle giant.
Steve Redmond
I know Redders is very highly-regarded among City supporters of that era.
He was solid – absolutely rock hard. Every time I played against him, I knew I’d be in for one tough afternoon. I knew it’d be difficult to get the better of him every time I came up against him.
He was another one who was a really lovely bloke.
Andy Hinchcliffe
Hinchy was a great left-back.
He’s still in the football world at the moment with his co-commentary for Sky Sports. He’s doing really well, which is great to see and fully deserved.
As a footballer, he had a sweet left foot. It was a wand. He could find anyone from that left hand side.
He was a superb player.
Paul Simpson
Another one who I know is fondly remembered by City supporters. He was very, very talented.
I played with him at Wolves, too. He was very skilful.
He was quiet on the field but he let his football do the talking. And that’s what mattered the most!
Georgi Kinkladze
He was a magician.
He would wave that magic wand and something would happen. What a player.
He was incredibly skilful, supremely talented and I know he’s a real cult hero at City.
Nigel Clough
I’ve got to have Cloughy in there. I can’t leave him out, no way.
He was a real worker in the middle, gave everything for the cause – a proper team man.
He was box to box, all-action and was a good talker out on the field too.
Nicky Summerbee
I know Nicky was more renowned as a winger but I’ve got him centre midfield for his energy.
He was a hard, hard player. He gave everything. He was the beating heart of the team.
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You knew he was there on the field because, just like his dad, he put himself about for the whole 90 minutes. He left nothing out on the pitch.
He was another good player.
Paul Dickov
I have got to have Paul Dickov in my team.
He was a great player. But also, I’ll be with him on Sunday in the hospitality lounges so I don’t want any grief when I see him!
He gave absolutely everything, 100% week in and week out.
He was only small but he made his presence felt up front.
Above all else, he knew exactly where the net was and scored his fair share of important goals for City.
Paul Stewart
Everyone remembers Paulie Stewart’s curly mop of hair.
What can I say about Paul? He was top draw.
He did everything you wanted from your striker. He held the ball up. He worked the channels. He scored goals. He was an all-round striker.
And a great guy, too.
