Molineux – Wolverhampton Wanderers

Stan Cullis Stand at Molineux

Molineux is dominated by the modern Stan Cullis Stand at one end of the stadium, which was opened in 2012. This impressive-looking structure towers over the rest of Molineux and the roof steelwork can be seen from miles around on the Wolverhampton skyline. The stand is two-tiered, with a larger lower tier, with the upper tier having a large windshield on one side.

The Steve Bull Stand

The stand extends partly around one corner towards the Steve Bull Stand and some seats in the upper tier in that corner will have a restricted view of the playing area, due to the roof of the Steve Bull Stand being directly in the line of sight. It is hoped that at some point the Steve Bull Stand will be replaced by a similar structure and will extend around to meet the new Stan Cullis Stand.

Both sides of the stadium are two-tiered covered stands, which have a row of executive boxes situated along the middle. They are unusual in being oval in shape, meaning that those sitting on the half way line are furthest away from the playing action. The oldest of these is the Steve Bull Stand, which was opened in 1979, whilst opposite is the Billy Wright Stand which was opened in 1993. This stand is the Main Stand at Molineux, which contains the Directors area, team dugouts in front and a television gantry below its roof.

Sir Jack Hayward Stand

At one end is the Sir Jack Hayward Stand, which was also opened in 1993, four months after the Billy Wright Stand. Situated in the corner between the Sir Jack Hayward and Billy Wright stands, is a temporary stand that has a capacity of 900 seats. The seats are green coloured which makes it look a little out of place to the rest of the stadium. This is affectionately known as the ‘Gene Kelly’ stand (or officially known as the Graham Hughes Stand – named after a former club historian). That is because this area is open to the elements so you could end up ‘singing in the rain’. There are a couple of video screens located in opposite corners of the stadium.

The Billy Wright and Stan Cullis statues at Molineux

What particularly impresses me about Molineux, is that quality shows, getting the feeling that little expense has been spared in its construction. This is perhaps best summed up by the two statues that sit outside the ground. The impressive statue of Billy Wright is probably the finest football statue located at any ground in Britain. It sits outside the main entrance to the club offices. In 2003 the same designer, James Butler produced another statue, this time of former player and manager Stan Cullis. The Stan Cullis Statue is located outside the entrance to the club Museum (see below). Also outside Molineux is a statue of former club owner Sir Jack Hayward which was unveiled in 2018.

In 2019, Wolverhampton Wanderers made it known that they are planning to expand the capacity of Molineux to around 50,000. This will be achieved by first building a new stand to replace the Steve Bull Stand on one side of the ground. This will raise capacity to 36,000. Next, a new large single tiered stand will be built to replace the Jack Hayward (South Bank) Stand at one end of the ground, taking the capacity up to 46,000. Originally, works were going to commence on the new Steve Bull Stand in the Summer of 2020, with the new Jack Hayward Stand following two years later. The existing open corners of the ground will also be filled with seating taking the capacity to around 50,000.

A combination of Covid-19 and a change in strategy at the top of the club mean these works – beyond the introduction of some rails to facilitate quick adaption to safe standing – haven’t yet started. The company line is that they’re investing in the playing squad first but with the nine-step renovation still very much on the table as a longer term project.

Below is an artist’s impression of how the expanded Molineux may look (courtesy of the official Wolverhampton Wanderers website).

During the summer of 2019, Wolverhampton Wanderers became the second club in the Premier League to install safety barriers, along rows of seating. The first club to do this were Tottenham Hotspur at their new stadium, but Wolves are actually the first Premiership club to do this at an existing ground. Wolves have added these safety barriers to the whole of the Sir Jack Hayward (Southbank) Stand at one end of the ground. These safety barriers help prevent falls from one row onto another but also facilitate fans to stand, whilst watching the match. Although not technically referred to as a ‘safe standing area,’ they are in all but name only. It will be interesting to see how this affects the atmosphere at Molineux. I am sure it will be popular with the fans and it will be only a matter of time before other clubs follow suit.

Where is the away end at Molineux?

Away fans are housed in the lower tier of the Steve Bull Stand, which runs along one side of the pitch.

What is the away allocation at Wolves?

Up to 2,750 away supporters can be housed. Fans in this stand are sat quite far back from the playing area, which gives the illusion that the pitch is larger than at most other grounds. Wolves fans are housed in the upper tier above the away section making for some ‘interesting conversations’ between the home and visiting supporters.

For cup games then if required part of the Stan Cullis Stand at one can also be allocated, where an additional 1,500 visiting fans can be housed, high up on one side of the upper tier (towards the Steve Bull Stand side of the ground).

David London a visiting Crystal Palace fan adds: “Views are excellent from the front of the Stan Cullis Stand away section, although if you are at the top then it’s all a bits distant. It’s a lot of stairs up to the upper tier and when you get to the top puffing and blowing a friendly steward tells you that you should have asked to use the lift!”

Is Wolves a good away day?

The facilities are fine, including the catering, serving a range of Wrights Pies including; Steak and Ale, Chicken Balti, Moroccan Chick Pea (all £3.60), Hot Dogs (£4.50), Sausage Rolls (£4) and Vegan Sausage Rolls (£4), Teas & Coffees (£2.30), Bovril or Hot Chocolate (£2.40).

Musical delights at the ground include just before kick off, ‘Hi, Ho, Silver Lining’ with the crowd singing ‘Hi, Ho, Wolverhampton!’ On one visit I got talking to a couple of Wolves fans on the train up to Wolverhampton and they suggested going for a drink in the city centre before the game which I did. I had quite an enjoyable time and they even took me right up to the away supporters entrance, shook my hand and wished me luck! Very hospitable. I personally did not experience any problems during my visits, but I have received a number of reports of others that have not been so lucky. It is strongly advised that colours are kept covered around the ground and the city centre (and that goes for your cars too).

As for negatives about Wolves, see below.

Pay By Card For Food and Drink? Yes

Well, it may be a great stadium, with good atmosphere, but the main drawback with a visit to Molineux is the lack of away friendly pubs for visiting supporters to drink in. Now there are a number of pubs situated around the ground, but they do not admit away fans, which to a certain extent I can understand. But what is a real shame is that unlike many new stadiums that are located out of town with not much in the way of drinking holes located around, Molineux is only a ten-minute walk away from the city centre where there are plenty of pubs to be found. However by far the greater majority, if not all, of these are for home supporters only on matchdays (even the Wetherspoons has bouncers on the door demanding to see your match ticket for one of the home sections before being allowed entry).

What is the best pub for away fans at Molineux?

One exception is the Bluebrick beside the Premier Inn hotel. The Bluebrick has been designated by the Police as an away pub and is handily located near to the railway station. If arriving by train then as you leave the station entrance, walk straight on up the station approach. Immediately before the bridge going over the ring road, take the pathway going down on the left. Walk down to the path beside the ring road and turn right. Proceed under the bridge and walk along the path. Then take the next right onto Wednesfield Road. Go under the railway bridge and you will see the Premier Inn on your right. The Bluebrick is just behind the hotel.

Alcohol is available inside the stadium.

From The South
Leave the M6 at Junction 10 and take the A454 towards Wolverhampton. Continue to follow the A454 right into Wolverhampton (be wary of speed cameras on the A454). On reaching the traffic island that intersects with the ring road, turn right. As you approach the 2nd set of lights look for the signs for football parking. The ground is over the second set of lights on the right. Alternatively, if you turn left into the city centre you may find a space in one of the many council run ‘pay & display’ car parks (see Car Parking below).

From The North
Leave the M6 at Junction 12 and take the A5 towards Telford and then turn onto the A449 towards Wolverhampton. On reaching the traffic island that intersects with the ring road, turn right. Then as South.

Where can I park Wolves away?

Just off the ring road near Molineux is the Civic Hall car park, normally remains open for night matches and costs £4 for three hours or £5.50 for four hours or £3 for evenings (entering the car park after 5pm). Terry a visiting Chelsea fan adds; ‘Although the city centre car parks are handy, the area is busy with shoppers so you may like we did get stuck in long queues to get into one. I’d recommend parking in the car parks that you see further away from Molineux and taking the 10/15 minute walk; it also means you are back on the motorway quicker after the game’. There is also some limited parking available at the stadium itself at a cost of £5 per car. David Drysdale informs me; ‘There is some street parking to be found on a small industrial estate near to Wolverhampton Railway Station. It is in the region of Kennedy Road (off Culwell Street). It is then about a ten minute walk to Molineux.’ There is also the option of renting a private driveway near the Molineux Stadium via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

Post Code for SAT NAV: WV1 4QR

Thanks to Paul Judd, an exiled Wolves fan, in Milton Keynes, for providing the directions.

Wolves, a founding member of the Football League, have been in existence for near on 150 years. Most of that time they’ve played their home games at Molineux; not all of it though. They started out playing at Goldthorn Hill where a couple of thousand people could watch their games. Spells – albeit short ones – followed at Dudley Road and Harper’s Field. The Dudley Road stadium maxed out at around a 10,000 capacity; that’s not to be sniffed at considering they moved out of that ground in 1889. The next stop on the Wolves stadium journey was Molineux.

Molineux, even then, doubled their capacity to 20k; it was future proofed for growth. Just under a quarter of a century later, Wolves bought the stadium and brought in world renown architect Archibald Leitch to oversee a significant renovation including all four sides of the pitch eventually seeing the addition of proper stands. Fast forward 50 years and only minor tweaks had been made to Wolves’ ground. The late seventies saw more works take place and then, in the nineties, the best part of £10m was pumped into a renovation that saw 75% of the ground rebuilt. The latest round of development at Molineux took place around a decade ago; that saw the addition of a second tier on the Steve Bull stand and took the capacity to 36k.

The song most often linked to Wolves is Hi-Ho Silver Lining but with a few adaptions to the lyrics.

Zeelo is running direct coach services for home fans travelling to Molineux. With the long train and bus journey or tiring drive, Zeelo offers a hassle free service straight to Molineux. Travel in a comfortable coach, with a guaranteed seat and soak in the atmosphere with other fans. This family-friendly service has special rates for seniors and children with prices starting from as little as £8 return.

What train station is near Wolves Ground?

Wolverhampton Railway Station is around a 15-minute walk away from Molineux. From the main station entrance proceed straight on towards the city centre and as you reach the inner ring road turn right. Just follow the ring road as it continues in a circular pattern around to the left. Eventually you will see the Molineux on the right.

As with most clubs nowadays, the ticket pricing at Wolves’ stadium, Molineux, is tiered depending on the ‘grade’ of game you’re watching and the area of the stadium you sit in.

Category A games are the most premium fixtures with Category C at the other end; the price range for these games are detailed here:

Adults – £25 to £60

Over 65s – £17.50 to £38.50

Under 21s -£16 to £32.50

Under 17s – £10 to £19.50

Under 12s – £6 to £16

A full breakdown of the current pricing can be found on the official Wolves website.

You can also book your tickets with SeatPick.

Tours of the Wolverhampton Wanderers stadium are offered most weekends with tours available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s. Prices are as follows:

• Adults – £20
• Under 17s – £17.50

Tours last between 60 and 90 minutes with full details available on the official Wolves website.

Official Programme £4.00

Wolves vs West Brom rivalry

Clashes between these two sides are dubbed the ‘Black Country Derby’ and they bring about a fair whack of animosity with just 11 miles between the two clubs. Both clubs helped to found the Football League and, as such, the rivalry has built over many years with the duo regularly competing against one another for honours and, more recently, progress towards top flight stability.

Wolves vs Aston Villa rivalry

Both Wolves and Aston Villa have bigger fish to fry on the grudge match scene but, still, meetings between the two are a little more fierce than everyday matches. That’s what happens when you’ve got big clubs in such close proximity; after all, both are located in the West Midlands. Plus, with both sides now looking to kick on in the Premier League, they’re vying against one another regularly.

Wolves vs Birmingham rivalry

Wolves vs Birmingham is a very similar deal to that of the Wolves-Villa rivalry. The intensity of these games is slightly less than that West Midlands clash with Wolves pulling well clear of Birmingham in the footballing pyramid in recent years.

Official Fixture List

Click Here for Wolves News

For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the  Level Playing Field website.

The Club have their own museum, which is open Fridays (12-5pm), Saturdays (11am-4.30pm) & Sundays (11am-3.30pm). Opened in 2012, the museum is full of interesting content even to the non-Wolves fan. It also contains a small cinema and a great interactive football game whereby you can take or score penalties against computerised characters of former Wolves players.

Beat the Goalkeeper Game:

The museum costs £7 for adults and £4.50 concessions, with family tickets available priced £18. See the Wolves Museum website for more details.

Record Attendance
61,305 v Liverpool
FA Cup 5th Round, 11 February 1939

Modern All Seated Attendance Record
31,737 v Manchester City
Premier League, 27 December 2019

Average Attendance

2022-23: 31,509 (Premier League)
2021-2022: 30,725 (Premier League)
2020-2021 : N/A (Covid-19)
2019-2020: 31,360 (Premier League)
2018-2019: 31,030 (Premier League)
2017-2018: 28,298 (Championship)

Official Web Site:

www.wolves.co.uk

Unofficial Web Sites: 

Molineux Mix Message Board

Wolf Message Board

Molineux Way

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, then please e-mail me at [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.