A new book designed to showcase the history of Wolverhampton Wanderers shirts is well on course to raise £20,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
‘They Wore The Shirt’, the brainchild of die-hard supporter Steve Plant, held its latest event at Enville Golf Club last week, with a clutch of former players and local businesses joining forces to generate funds to help purchase vital life-saving equipment.
Sponsored by Polypipe Ltd and C&D Consultancy, the day went with a real swing as 18 teams – featuring Kenny Hibbitt, Steve Daley, Phil Parkes, Mel Eves and Phil Nicholls – teed off to bring in over £3300…£1200 more than expected.
The winning team was E P Lynch Plumbing and Heating, who narrowly beat off competition from REW and Ideal Standard in a fiercely fought last few holes.
“Black Country companies never fail to amaze me with their generosity and the latest golf day was no different, with everyone digging deep for the cause,” commented Steve Plant.
“They Wore The Shirt came about after I started collecting matchworn shirts as a way of keeping my father’s spirits up, who was fighting cancer. There was lots of interest in my home collection and the website I created, so I knew people would get behind a book that chronicled the full collection of Wolves kits.”
He continued: “I wanted the project to benefit a good cause so I contacted my friend Neil Taylor to see if all the money raised in sponsorship could go towards Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
“We set our sights on reaching £20,000 over the course of the year and I think we’re well on course. The golf day has really moved us forward.”
Over 106 different shirts have been photographed so far as part of the book and Steve is currently working with Wolverhampton Wanderers and former journalist David Instone to ensure each chapter of history is marked with facts, memories and other local events from that era.
Current captain Danny Batth has added his support with a foreword and the publication will also feature Roy Swinbourne’s shirt worn in the famous victory over Budapest Honved FC in 1954.
“That was my father’s favourite ever game so means a lot to me, as does the George Elokobi shirt that started my collection off,” explained Steve, who has been following the club home and away since 1971.
He concluded: “We are only going to print 1877 copies to mark the year we were formed and these will be available from the Wolves club shop and potentially online from October 2016.
“The old gold and black is an iconic sports shirt. Everyone knows it around the entire world and this book will celebrate that.”
For further information, please visit www.theyworetheshirt.co.uk or follow @thewolvesshirt on Twitter.
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