Legendary Wolves goal scorer John Richards further strengthened his long-standing association with the Old Gold by being unveiled as the club’s new vice-president in April 2024.
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 then became 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.
Prior to becoming vice-president, Richards joined Bull and 17 other Wolves representatives for the club’s groundbreaking One Pack Week 2024 photograph, where his positive and progressive attitude and approach were reflective of the football club.
