Wolverhampton Wanderers have been blessed by a string of top centre forwards over the years, and these are the best of the best.
Molineux – general view
With a history so illustrious, it’s no surprise that some truly great players have pulled on the old gold and black kit over the years. Wolves are a club that treasures those who play for them, and these five forwards in particular hold a special place in the hearts of the Molineux faithful.
1) Steve Bull
It just had to be Bully. The Sandwell-born Steve Bull joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1986 and remained at the club for 13 years until his retirement just before the turn of the century. In this time he reportedly turned down a move to the likes of Newcastle, Leeds and even Barcelona in order to remain at his beloved Wolves.
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Steve Bull
He scored 306 goals throughout his time in Wolverhampton, becoming their all-time leading goalscorer in the process. Bull is widely credited as being one of the key players to help lift the club out of the Fourth Division, and although he never played in the top flight with them he did manage to play for England 13 times.
2) Derek Dougan
Derek Dougan, or ‘The Doog’ as he’s fondly known, is widely considered to be one the greatest Wolves players of all time. The popular forward arrived at the club in 1967, and in that time he helped the club get promoted from the Second Division, win the League Cup and even reach the first ever UEFA Cup Final.
General view outside the stadium before the match – Molineux
His popularity among the fans continued to grow, and the goals from his partnership with John Richards helped to establish the club as one of the best teams in the country in the 1970s. He was a truly unforgettable figure and will go down as a legend for the Wanderers.
3) John Richards
The aforementioned John Richards came to Wolves in 1969, spending almost his entire career at the club on his way to breaking their all-time goalscoring record. In that time he managed to score a magnificent 194 goals, aswell as being a part of the sides that won two League Cups.
General view
In the first of those two triumphs it was Richards who scored the winning goal as Wolves triumphed over Manchester City. His top form also earned him an England cap, with many dubbing his partnership with Derek Dougan as ‘the best in Europe’.
4) Peter Knowles
Peter Knowles is known to this day as one of the biggest question marks in the history of English football. As a youngster Knowles established himself as one of the most promising talents in the game, and he was clearly a step above any other forward in the Second Division.
A general view before the match
It seemed like he was destined for greatness, however at the age of just 24 he decided to quit football in favour of becoming a full-time Jehovah’s Witness. The club kept him on their books until 1982 in the hope that he’d return, but it never transpired.
5) Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
The most recent entry on this list is Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. After signing for the club in 2008, the striker quickly turned himself into a fan favourite as he netted 12 league goals in just half a season for the Wanderers, helping him to win the Championship Golden Boot. He followed this up the next season with another 25 league goals, helping Wolves to gain promotion back to the Premier League.
General view of the stadium
Whilst he may not have found as much success in the top flight due to injuries and a lack of experience, his goals and determination are credited with bringing the positive atmosphere back to Molineux. In recent times he’s by far the most successful striker the club has had, and he’ll always be remembered fondly by fans.
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