Wolves legend 'overwhelmed' at Wolverhampton freedom honour
Wolves legend John Richards said he was "a little overwhelmed" but it was a "real privilege" to be granted the freedom of Wolverhampton.The 74-year-old spent most of his footballing career at Wolves, scoring 194 goals in 485 appearances from 1969 to 1983 and was nicknamed King John by fans.He was awarded the freedom honour by the city council at the Civic Centre on Friday."I am a Lancastrian by birth but an adopted Wulfrunian and I've been connected with the city for more than half a century, I'm so proud to be part of this community", Richards said.
The City of Wolverhampton Council said he was recognised for his "outstanding" services to football alongside his commitment to the club's charitable foundation. The freedom is the highest honour the council can award and is only given to "exceptional cases", a spokesperson for the authority added. "I am aware of some of the people who have received this in the past so I am in esteemed company", Richards said.Other city stars granted the honour including another former Wolves striker, Steve Bull, along with heptathlete Denise Lewis and singer and actor Beverley Knight.
Richards won two League Cups with the club and also played in the first Uefa Cup final in 1972, which Wolves lost to Tottenham. He remains the second highest scorer in the club's history with one of his most memorable goals being in the 1974 League Cup final. That game marked his first at Wembley and he scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Manchester City. In Friday's ceremony he was presented with a scroll, badge and casket from the Mayor of Wolverhampton, councillor Linda Leach, who said Richards was a "superb ambassador" for the city.Leach added that the 74-year-old continued to support former players and raise money for charity. "He is truly deserving of this distinguished honour and on behalf of the people of Wolverhampton, I wish to thank him for all that he has done and continues to do for our city," she said.
Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BreakingNews.ie
15 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Spurs close in on Thomas Frank after making official approach to Brentford
Tottenham have made an official approach to Brentford over making Thomas Frank their next head coach, the PA news agency understands. Spurs sacked Ange Postecoglou on Friday, despite Europa League success, and quickly set their sights on Frank – who has gained admirers for his work over an impressive seven-year period at the west London club. Advertisement After positive initial talks over the weekend, confidence started to grow on Monday morning that Frank would be the man to replace Postecoglou and Tottenham have now entered discussions with Brentford, PA understands. Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 6, 2025 Frank's current deal with the Bees runs until the summer of 2027 and contains a release clause reported to be in the region of £10million. Brentford are eager to hold out for Frank's release clause, but they have started talks with Spurs over a compensation package which would soften the blow of losing the highly-rated Dane. The 51-year-old would take over a Spurs side which won the Europa League last month but finished 17th in the Premier League. Advertisement Poor domestic form during the 2024-25 season cost Postecoglou his job as the Spurs board was forced to make 'one of the toughest decisions' it has had to make in dismissing the head coach who ended a 17-year trophy drought. 'It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond,' a club statement on Friday read. PA understands Tottenham have also relieved coaches Mile Jedinak, Nick Montgomery and Sergio Raimundo of their duties. View this post on Instagram A post shared by West Bromwich Albion (@wba) Ryan Mason left his role as Spurs first-team coach last week to take over as West Brom boss, which opens the door for Frank to bring in some of his own staff – with current Brentford assistant Claus Norgaard a long-term ally. Advertisement PA understands another departure from Spurs this summer will be Scott Munn, who was made chief football officer at the club in 2023. Tottenham technical director Johan Lange has remained in post and is set to renew allegiances with compatriot Frank. Frank and Lange worked together at Danish club Lyngby before they both made their marks in the Premier League. Lange attempted to bring Frank to Aston Villa in 2022 when he worked at the midlands outfit. Advertisement Former Brondby boss Frank has developed a strong reputation in English football since he took over Brentford, with his tactical nous and man-management skills often lauded by rival managers and pundits. After Frank guided Brentford to promotion in 2021, he quickly enabled them to compete strongly in the Premier League despite a modest budget and has been linked to a number of high-profile vacancies in recent years.
The Herald Scotland
16 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Manchester City sign Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves for £31m
He becomes City's first major signing of the summer, with AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders also set to join. Manchester City have signed Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri for £31million (Martin Rickett/PA) Ait-Nouri will be eligible for the upcoming Club World Cup later this month, with City also looking to get Reijnders done in time. 'I am incredibly happy and honoured to have joined Manchester City. City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the chance to play for the club is a dream come true,' he said. 'I am also so excited about working with and learning from Pep (Guardiola) and his coaching team and getting to train and play alongside such a world class group of players. 'I'm young and I came here to improve a lot. I need to learn and improve my football for sure – it's why I chose this big challenge. Relax… we have an announcement to make 🔊 — Manchester City (@ManCity) June 9, 2025 'I know I can improve my football and being in these kind of conditions with this team and this manager, for sure I will improve my football.' Ait-Nouri has spent five years at Wolves, initially arriving on loan from Angers before signing permanently for £14.9m in 2021. He is City's first left-back specialist since Benjamin Mendy, who played his final game for the club almost four years ago. Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol and – most recently – Nico O'Reilly have been among the players to fill the position since. 'Rayan is a player that as a club we have been following closely for quite some time and we are delighted he has joined us,' said director of football Hugo Viana. 'He already has extensive Premier League experience and has also demonstrated his quality at international level with Algeria. 'We feel sure that he will be an excellent addition to our squad and that working alongside Pep and his coaching staff will help develop his game even further. After six seasons with the Club, Scott Carson will leave Manchester City when his contract expires this summer. We would like to thank Scott for his hard work and dedication and wish him the very best of luck for the future 🩵 — Manchester City (@ManCity) June 9, 2025 'And at just 24 he is someone we feel sure will help us in our objective to bring more success to the club.' Veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson is to leave the club when his contract expires this summer. The 39-year-old made just two senior appearances in a six-year stint but was involved in squads that collected 12 trophies, including the Champions League in 2023.
Rhyl Journal
16 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Spurs close in on Thomas Frank after making official approach to Brentford
Spurs sacked Ange Postecoglou on Friday, despite Europa League success, and quickly set their sights on Frank – who has gained admirers for his work over an impressive seven-year period at the west London club. After positive initial talks over the weekend, confidence started to grow on Monday morning that Frank would be the man to replace Postecoglou and Tottenham have now entered discussions with Brentford, PA understands. Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 6, 2025 Frank's current deal with the Bees runs until the summer of 2027 and contains a release clause reported to be in the region of £10million. Brentford are eager to hold out for Frank's release clause, but they have started talks with Spurs over a compensation package which would soften the blow of losing the highly-rated Dane. The 51-year-old would take over a Spurs side which won the Europa League last month but finished 17th in the Premier League. Poor domestic form during the 2024-25 season cost Postecoglou his job as the Spurs board was forced to make 'one of the toughest decisions' it has had to make in dismissing the head coach who ended a 17-year trophy drought. 'It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond,' a club statement on Friday read. PA understands Tottenham have also relieved coaches Mile Jedinak, Nick Montgomery and Sergio Raimundo of their duties. A post shared by West Bromwich Albion (@wba) Ryan Mason left his role as Spurs first-team coach last week to take over as West Brom boss, which opens the door for Frank to bring in some of his own staff – with current Brentford assistant Claus Norgaard a long-term ally. PA understands another departure from Spurs this summer will be Scott Munn, who was made chief football officer at the club in 2023. Tottenham technical director Johan Lange has remained in post and is set to renew allegiances with compatriot Frank. Frank and Lange worked together at Danish club Lyngby before they both made their marks in the Premier League. Lange attempted to bring Frank to Aston Villa in 2022 when he worked at the midlands outfit. Former Brondby boss Frank has developed a strong reputation in English football since he took over Brentford, with his tactical nous and man-management skills often lauded by rival managers and pundits. After Frank guided Brentford to promotion in 2021, he quickly enabled them to compete strongly in the Premier League despite a modest budget and has been linked to a number of high-profile vacancies in recent years.
