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Molineux
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
The Ground
Molineux has been completely rebuilt in
recent years, with the oldest stand, then called
the John Ireland Stand (since renamed the Steve Bull Stand) being
opened in 1979. Three other stands were then built in the early
1990's with the Jack Harris Stand the last to be completed in
December 1993. The stadium itself is superb and is made up of
four separate stands. Both ends are large
single tiered stands (one of which the Stan Cullis Stand has a small
clock perched on its roof), whilst both sides are two tiered with a
row of executive boxes along the middle. Both the side stands are
unusual in being oval in shape, meaning that
those sitting on the half way line are furthest away from the
playing action. It is a pity that the stands do not go all the way
around the ground, (the corners of the ground are largely open) as
this would make it a truly wonderful stadium. Martyn Wells adds;
'the clock on the Stan Cullis Stand, is the original timepiece that
sat atop the old Molineux Street Stand (now the Steve Bull Stand) since the 1930's. It was moved when the stands were
re-developed'. There are a couple of
video screens in two of the corners, but unfortunately the are no longer in operation (there
are rumours that these may be removed shortly and the areas filled
with temporary seating). With Wolves returning to the Premier
League, then the 'Gene Kelly' (or officially known as the Wolves
Community Trust) temporary stand makes a return, situated in one
corner between the Jack Harris and Billy Wright stands. This 900
capacity stand has green seats which makes it look out of place to
the rest of the stadium. This area is open to the elements so you
could end up 'singing in the rain'.
What particularly impresses me about Molineux, is that
quality shows, getting the feeling that little expense has been
spared in its construction. This is perhaps best summed up by the
two statues that sit outside the ground. The impressive
statue of Billy Wright is
probably the finest football statue located at any ground in
Britain. It sits outside the main entrance to the club
offices. In 2003 the same designer, James
Butler produced another statue, this time of former player and
manager Stan Cullis, that is located by the
entrance to the ticket office at the back of the stand bearing the
mans name.
Future
Developments
The Club have
announced plans to increase the capacity of Molineux to 36,000.
This will involve the re-building of the Steve Bull (East) and Stan
Cullis (North) stands. These will be replaced by new two tiered
affairs. If planning permission is given then the demolition and
re-building of the Stand Cullis Stand will begin at the end of the
2010/11 season. This stand will also extend around to the Steve Bull
Stand, filling the North East corner of the stadium. This is
where in future, away fans will be located. It is hoped that this
stand will completed in 2012 and once finished, works on the new
Steve Bull stand will commence. It is planned that this new stand
will be open for the beginning of the 2014/15 season. Artists
impressions of the Molineux re-development can be viewed on the
official Wolverhampton Wanderers FC website.
The
Club have further announced that if demand requires it, then as a
phase 3 part of the project an additional tier can be added to the
Jack Harris (South) Stand, raising the capacity to 38,000. Any
further expansion would involve the re-building of the Billy Wright
Stand and could possibly see the final capacity being in the region
of 50,000.
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