Wolves at Wembley

"The culmination of many years of dreams arrived on the day Wolves played Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in the League Cup Final on March 2, 1974. I had watched many FA Cup Finals on television and had often thought of the day my team might play under the twin towers.

"I had vowed not to go to Wembley until the famous black and gold once again graced that famous stage. The 1960 victory over Blackburn Rovers was too early for a three-year-old to recall.

"The two-leg semi-final victory over Norwich City had been a nail-biting and narrow 2-1 aggregate affair, with the full-time celebrations on the North Bank all the more ecstatic for that. At last the trip to Wembley was on.

"The many hours queuing for my ticket just added to the building excitement, made more memorable as the Dudley Grammar School minibus (driven by Mr Yates, our English teacher) took us down the old A34 to London.

"The crowds were enormous, echoing to the sounds of Black Country voices. I took my place in the terraces opposite the tunnel end. Strangely, Wembley's bowl seemed very small but was vibrant with atmosphere and black-and-gold favours.

"The match itself is now a blur, but one moment has burnt itself into my memory. King John Richards's winner arrowing into the net, with only a few minutes left. Pure magic for me and all the Wolves fans massed behind the goal. The celebrations continued well into the night. Ee-aye-addio - we'd won the cup!"