Legendary Wolves goal scorer John Richards has further strengthened his long-standing association with the Old Gold by being unveiled as the club’s new vice-president.
Richards spent 14 years at Wolves, spanning three decades, and now stands as the club’s second most prolific goal scorer behind Steve Bull, having scored 194 times in 485 games.
The 73-year-old has long since remained a part of the football club and, despite being born in Warrington, has kept the Black Country his home since leaving Wolves in 1983.
He now becomes the club’s third vice-president, alongside Bull and Robert Plant, following the sad passing of former vice-president Ron Flowers three years ago.
After signing professional terms at Molineux in July 1969, Richards made his debut against rivals West Bromwich Albion the following February, which began his legacy with the football club.
The man affectionately known ‘King John’ struck up a formidable partnership with Derek Dougan, which inspired Wolves on a run to the UEFA Cup final in 1972.
Two years later he scored the winning goal in Wolves’ first League Cup success at Wembley against Manchester City and remained in the team for the second and latest success six years later against Nottingham Forest – the two major trophies of his career.
The club’s all-time record goal scorer for more than ten years, before Bull surpassed him, Richards went on to serve the club as director and then managing director in the 1990s.
In more recent times, Richards has been the driving force behind the club’s Former Player’s Association and is a regular around Molineux on a matchday.
Earlier this month he joined Bull and 17 other Wolves representatives for the club’s groundbreaking One Pack Week photograph, where his positive and progressive attitude and approach were reflective of the football club.
Executive chairman Jeff Shi said: “Throughout my time at the club, John has always been a big and positive presence – his love for the football club is always visible and we’re delighted that we’re now going to be working with him even closer in the future.
“What John did as a player, bringing trophies to Wolverhampton, will forever stand in the history books and he’s both an inspiration and reference for the current players. Being able to honour a true Wolves legend and have that presence and knowledge around Compton and Molineux on a regular basis will be a big positive.”
New Wolves vice-president John Richards said: “I consider it to be a great honour. I’ve been involved with Wolves on and off for the best part of 55 years, so I’m happy to represent the club further. I’m really pleased about it all. Wolves are a massive part of my life and vice versa. I’ve lived in my house for over 40 years now, so my home is Wolverhampton.
“I already have a lot of involvement with the club through the Foundation and commercial side, and we do a lot of work with the former players and various community groups. It’s a continuation of what I already do, but a bit more formalised.
“There’s a connection with the former players and the club. When I was invited to be a non-executive director in 1995, it was following Billy Wright’s death, and Billy had had a similar position at the club. This is keeping a connection between former players and the history of the club, so it’s a great honour, and following the footsteps of Ron Flowers even more so.”
