Wolverhampton Wolves

Speedway (known as Dirt Track racing at the time) was first held at Monmore Green Stadium on 30 May 1928. It was arranged by the Birmingham Motor Cycle Club, and the meeting consisted of several feature races.{{cite news |title=Dirt Track Motorcycle Racing |work=Evening Despatch |date=28 May 1928 | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000671/19280528/008/0008 | via = British Newspaper Archive| access-date=25 October 2023 |url-access=subscription }} The first meeting to feature the Wolverhampton team name was an Inter–Town race against Manchester on 25 August.{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1928record.pdf |title=1928 results |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=25 October 2023}} After a series of challenge matches during 1929 and 1930, speedway would not return to Wolverhampton for twenty years.

During 1948 and the post-war optimism, record crowds were attending speedway events up and down the country. With towns keen to cash in on the boom, Wolverhampton's stadium owners applied to the local council for a track to be re-built at the original site. Australian Arthur Simcock set the ball rolling and was granted permission to promote a speedway in Wolverhampton and finally his dream came true on 14 October 1950. The first to test the new track were some visiting Norwich riders, en route to a meeting followed by Wulfrunians defeating Sheffield 58-26.{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1950fixtures.pdf |title=1950 results |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=25 October 2023}} Officially founded again in 1951, the team would ride as the Wolverhampton Wasps and they were admitted into the 1951 Speedway National League Division Three.{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/history/leaguetables1946-1964|title=BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - POST-WAR ERA (1946-1964)|website=Official British Speedway website|date=3 March 2017|access-date=27 August 2021}}

The winter of 1952/3 was a tumultuous one for speedway in the Black Country when Cradley Heathens merged with the Wasps 1953 season. Wolverhampton were pleased with this 'promotion' and at one meeting supporters were 'locked out' after the capacity was reached. It was reported 12,000 fans turned up with many more scaling the walls. This was however short lived and the team enudred a series of poor results at the start of the 1954 season. A decision was made by the promotion and in early May of the same year, Wolverhampton closed its doors to speedway.{{cite news |title=Speedway Club out of League |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=24 May 1954 | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19540524/271/0020 | via = British Newspaper Archive| access-date=25 October 2023 |url-access=subscription }}

It wasn't until the 1961 Provincial Speedway League, that the sport returned to the Monmore Green again. The team, now called the Wolverhampton Wolves completed two solid seasons before securing their first silverware, winning the 1963 Provincial Speedway League.{{cite book|last=Rogers|first=Martin|title=The Illustrated History of Speedway|year=1978|page=129|publisher=Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd|isbn=0-904584-45-3}} The 1963 team consisted of three new signings Maury Mattingley, Dave Hemus and Rick France, who joined heat leaders Tommy Sweetman and Graham Warren to produce consistent results and win the league by two points from Stoke Potters.{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1963fixtures.pdf |title=1963 results |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=25 October 2023}}

From 1965, Wolverhampton competed in the inaugural British League, which was the clubs first season in the top tier of speedway.{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/history/leaguetables1965-1990|title=British League Tables - British League Era (1965-1990)|website=Official British Speedway website|date=3 March 2017|access-date=27 August 2021}} The team then recorded successive mid-table finishes before two poor seasons in 1968 and 1969.{{cite web|url=https://cybermotorcycle.com/archives/exeter-speedway/leagues-64.htm |title=1964 to 1969 |website=Cyber Morotcycles |access-date=8 May 2024}}

File:George Hunter Gary Peterson.jpg

File:Finn Thomson & Ole Olsen.jpg

Before the 1970 season, Wolves signed the Danish champion and one of the world's leading riders Ole Olsen. The Dane made an immediate impact, pushing Wolves up the table and winning the 1972 British League Riders' Championship.{{cite news |title=Michanek fifth |work=Reading Evening Post |date=23 October 1972 |access-date=2 June 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002471/19721023/374/0014 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}

In 1973, Wolves won the Midland Cup{{cite news |title=Midland Speedway Cup |work=Leicester Daily Mercury |date=10 October 1973 | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000760/19731010/046/0038 | via = British Newspaper Archive| access-date=21 October 2023 |url-access=subscription }} and the following year reached the final.

The 1975 season was overshadowed by the death of Gary Peterson, killed in the home leg of the Midland Cup final.{{cite news |title=Speedway rider Gary Peterson killed |work=Reading Evening Post |date=18 October 1975 | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002471/19751018/394/0014 | via = British Newspaper Archive| access-date=21 October 2023 |url-access=subscription }} Olsen then left after the 1975 season and Wolves spent the remainder of the decade battling in the lower half of the league table standings. However, one high point was the signing of Hans Nielsen in 1978, the 18-year-old Dane topped the team's averages in 1978 and 1979.{{cite book |last=Oakes |first=Peter |title=1981 Speedway Yearbook |year=1981 |page=198-199 |publisher=Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd |isbn=0-86215-017-5}}

Hans Nielsen continued to impress topping the league averages in 1980{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/specialfeaturesrideraverages.pdf |title=Rider averages 1929 to 2009 |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=8 May 2024}} but the team struggled and costs increased, resulting in promoter Mike Parker putting the riders on the transfer list and dropping down a division for the 1981 season.{{cite news |title=Shake-up on the cards for Wolves |work=Sandwell Evening Mail |date=14 November 1980 |access-date=8 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002487/19801114/059/0059 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} The promotion was taken over by Dan McCormick for the 1981 season before Mike Parker returned but he was unable to form a team and Wolves would not race for two seasons.{{cite news |title=Parker is back - now he needs a team |work=Birmingham Mail |date=10 December 1981 |access-date=8 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002139/19811210/051/0051 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}

Promoter Peter Adams brought the team back for the 1984 season.{{cite news |title=Tickets so cheap |work=Sandwell Evening Mail|date=20 December 1983 |access-date=8 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002487/19831220/024/0024 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} Wolves signed Sam Ermolenko in 1986 and supported by a group of Danes and Americans, the team became hard to beat. A third place finish in 1986 was followed by a second place finish in 1989.

File:Sam Ermolenko.jpg

Wolves won their first highest league title (and second ever title) in 1991, after winning the 1991 British League season. They were led by their American star Sam Ermolenko, who became the first rider to push former Wolves rider Hans Nielsen from the top of the averages after eight consecutive years at the top. The Wolves team relied on two more American riders, Ronnie Correy and Sam's younger brother Charles Ermolenko, in addition to Englishman Graham Jones to seal the title from Bradford.{{cite web|url=http://www.speedwaygb.co/history/leaguetables1991.php|title=1991 league tables|date=3 March 2017|publisher=Speedway GB}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cradleyspeedway.co.uk/years/1991.htm|title=1991 Season Review|publisher=Cradley Speedway}} The Wolves won the title for the second time in six years during the 1996 season, with Ronnie Correy being the sole survivor of the 1991 winning team. In a strange coincidence a new set of two brothers helped Wolves win the title, back in 1991 it was the Ermolenko brothers but now it was the Swedish Karlsson brothers. Peter Karlsson and Mikael Karlsson both scored heavily and ended the season with averages around the 10 mark.{{cite web|url=http://www.speedwaygb.co/history/leaguetables1996.php|title=1996 league tables|date=3 March 2017|publisher=Speedway GB}}

The Wolverhampton Wolves were the Sky Sports Elite League champions in 2002. Although they only finished 2nd in the regular season table they defeated Eastbourne Eagles in the play off final. It was Wolves third title success in 11 years and the Swedish Karlsson brothers, Peter and Mikael were once again integral to the Wolves team throughout the season.{{cite web |url=https://wwosbackup.proboards.com/thread/4965/wolverhampton|title=Speedway riders, history and results|website=wwosbackup|access-date=1 August 2021}} Two years later in 2004, Wolves lost in the play off final.

In 2008, Parry's International Travel signed a deal with owner Dave Parry (a former Wolves rider). The team was managed by Peter Adams and promoted by Chris Van Straaten. The decade ended with a second place finish in the league standings before regaining champion status in the 2009 season, beating the Swindon Robins 95-90 on aggregate in the 2009 play-offs.{{cite book|last = Bamford|first = Robert|title = Tempus Speedway Yearbook 2007|publisher = NPI Media Group|date = 2007-03-01|isbn = 978-0-7524-4250-1 }} Freddie Lindgren was the star of the 2009 team but veteran Peter Karlsson and 19-year-old rider Tai Woffinden both scored heavily.

{{gallery

|width=160 | height=170

|align=right

|File:Peter Karlsson.jpg

|Peter Karlsson

|File:Fredrik Lindgren on track.jpg

|Freddie Lindgren

}}

Another play-off final defeat ensued in 2010 and a third place finish was sealed in 2013. The team became champions of the United Kingdom for the fifth time in 2016, beating the top of the table finishing Belle Vue Aces. Led by Tai Woffinden and Freddie Lindgren, they won by an 18-point margin at home in the first leg by beating the Belle Vue Aces 54-36, the second leg was a win for Belle Vue of 50-42, meaning victory for the Wolves by a 10-point margin with the aggregate scores 96-86.

Wolves lost another play-off final in 2017 in extraordinary circumstances, having won the first leg against Swindon, away from home 47–43, they lost their home leg 47–42, with promoter Peter Adams gracious in defeat, stating that speedway was the winner.{{cite web |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/speedway/2017/10/04/wolves-42-swindon-47-speedway-final-heartache-for-hosts---report-and-pictures/ |title=Wolves 42 Swindon 47: Speedway final heartache for hosts - report and pictures |website=Express and Star |access-date=8 May 2024}}

After the leagues were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team finished 2nd and 4th respectively in 2021 and 2022 but were beaten in the play offs. In 2023, it was announced by the Monmore Green Stadium owners Entain that the venue would only be used by greyhound racing during 2024.{{cite web |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/miscellaneous/wolves-bow-out-of-monmore/ |title=Wolves bow out at Monmore |website=British Speedway |access-date=25 October 2023}} The team disbanded after the 2023 season.

{{collapse top}}

{{collapse bottom}}

{{collapse top}}

1975 team

• {{player||DEN|Ole Olsen}}
• {{player||DEN|Finn Thomsen}}
• {{player||SCO|George Hunter}}
• {{player||ENG|Colin Meredith}}
• {{player||NZL|Gary Peterson}}
• {{player||ENG|Malcolm Shakespeare}}

2004 team

• {{player||SWE|Mikael Max}}
• {{player||ENG|Simon Stead}}
• {{player||ENG|James Grieves}}
• {{player||ENG|David Howe}}
• {{player||USA|Sam Ermolenko}}
• {{player||SWE|Daniel Nermark}}
• {{player||POL|Adam Skornicki}}
• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||ENG|Chris Neath}}

2005 team

• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||ENG|David Howe}}
• {{player||SWE|Magnus Karlsson}}
• {{player||POL|Krzystof Pecyna}}
• {{player||SWE|Mikael Max}}
• {{player||USA|Ronnie Correy}}
• {{player||AUS|Steve Johnston}}

2006 team

• {{player||SWE|Peter Karlsson}}
• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||USA|Billy Hamill}}
• {{player||SWE|Magnus Karlsson}}
• {{player||SCO|William Lawson}}
• {{player||GER|Christian Hefenbrock}}
• {{player||USA|Ronnie Correy}}
• {{player||ENG|Ben Wilson}}

2007 team

• {{player||SWE|Peter Karlsson}}
• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||USA|Billy Hamill}}
• {{player||ENG|David Howe}}
• {{player||SWE|Magnus Karlsson}}
• {{player||DEN|Kenneth Hansen}}
• {{player||SCO|William Lawson}}
• {{player||ENG|Carl Wilkinson}}
• {{player||USA|Chris Kerr}} (No.8)

Also Rode:

• {{player||NED|Theo Pijper}}
• {{player||SCO|James Grieves}}

2008 team

• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||DEN|Niels Kristian Iversen}}
• {{player||ENG|David Howe}}
• {{player||DEN|Jesper B. Monberg}}
• {{player||DEN|Morten Risager}}
• {{player||SWE|Ludvig Lindgren}}
• {{player||DEN|Nicolai Klindt}}
• {{player||GBR|Chris Neath}} (No.8)

Also Rode:

• {{player||GER|Christian Hefenbrock}}
• {{player||DEN|Kenneth Hansen}}
• {{player||CZE|Aleš Dryml, Jr.}}

2009 team

• {{player||SWE|Peter Karlsson}}
• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||ENG|Tai Woffinden}}
• {{player||POL|Adam Skórnicki}}
• {{player||DEN|Nicolai Klindt}}
• {{player||CZE|Hynek Stichauer}}
• {{player||USA|Chris Kerr}} ^‡
• {{player||AUS|Ty Proctor}} ^‡
• {{player||DEN|Jesper Kristiansen}} (No.8)

Also Rode:

• {{player||ENG|Joe Haines}} (No.8) ^†

^‡ {{small|Doubling-up between Premier and Elite League.}}

^† {{small|Sustained a neck injury during an individual event in May 2009.}}

2010 team

• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||ENG|Tai Woffinden}}
• {{player||DEN|Nicolai Klindt}}
• {{player||ENG|Joe Screen}} ^AS
• {{player||SWE|Ludvig Lindgren}}
• {{player||AUS|Tyron Proctor}}
• {{player||ENG|Joe Haines}} ^‡
• {{player||USA|Chris Kerr}} ^‡
• {{player||ENG|Richard Lawson (No.8)}}
• {{player||POL|Adam Skornicki}}
• {{player||AUS|Matthew Wethers}}^‡

^‡ {{small|Doubling-up between Premier and Elite League.}}

^AS {{small|Covering for Adam Skornicki.}}

2011 team

• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||ENG|Tai Woffinden}}
• {{player||SWE|Peter Karlsson}}
• {{player||AUS|Tyron Proctor}}
• {{player||SWE|Ludvig Lindgren}}
• {{player||USA|Ricky Wells}}

2012 team

• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||AUS|Ty Proctor}}
• {{player||DEN|Nicolai Klindt}}
• {{player||USA|Ricky Wells}}
• {{player||ENG|Tai Woffinden}}
• {{player||SWE|Pontus Aspgren}}
• {{player||SWE|Jacob Thorssell}}

2013 team

• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||AUS|Ty Proctor}}
• {{player||USA|Ricky Wells}}
• {{player||POL|Adam Skórnicki}}
• {{player||ENG|Tai Woffinden}}
• {{player||SWE|Ludvig Lindgren}}
• {{player||SWE|Jacob Thorssell}}

2014 team

• {{player||POL|Piotr Pawlicki Jr.}}
• {{player||ENG|Tai Woffinden}}
• {{player||SWE|Jacob Thorssell}}
• {{player||SWE|Peter Karlsson}}
• {{player||DEN|Lasse Bjerre}}
• {{player||USA|Ricky Wells}}
• {{player||AUS|Ty Proctor}}
• {{player||ENG|Ashley Morris}}
• {{player||ENG|Tom Perry}}
• {{player||ENG|Joe Jacobs}}

2015 team

• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||SWE|Jacob Thorssell}}
• {{player||SWE|Peter Karlsson}}
• {{player||USA|Ricky Wells}}
• {{player||POL|Tobiasz Musielak}}
• {{player||ENG|Josh Bates}}
• {{player||ENG|Lewis Blackbird}}

2016 team

• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||SWE|Jacob Thorssell}}
• {{player||AUS|Sam Masters}}
• {{player||ENG|Kyle Howarth}}
• {{player||ENG|Max Clegg}}
• {{player||ENG|Tai Woffinden}}
• {{player||SWE|Joonas Kylmakorpi}}
• {{player||DEN|Mikkel Bech}}

2017 team

• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||SWE|Jacob Thorssell}}
• {{player||AUS|Sam Masters}}
• {{player||ENG|Kyle Howarth}}
• {{player||ENG|Max Clegg}}
• {{player||POL|Adam Skórnicki}}
• {{player||ENG|Nathan Greaves}}
• {{player||AUS|Rory Schlein}}
• {{player||GER|Mark Riss}}

2018 team

• {{player||SWE|Jacob Thorssell}}
• {{player||ENG|Kyle Howarth}}
• {{player||AUS|Cameron Heeps}}
• {{player||AUS|Sam Masters}}
• {{player||AUS|Rory Schlein}}
• {{player||ENG|Max Clegg}}
• {{player||ENG|Nathan Greaves}}
• {{player||ENG|Ashley Morris}}

2019 team

• {{player||SWE|Jacob Thorssell}}
• {{player||ENG|Kyle Howarth}}
• {{player||AUS|Sam Masters}}
• {{player||AUS|Rory Schlein}}
• {{player||USA|Luke Becker}}
• {{player||ENG|Ashley Morris}}
• {{player||AUS|Nick Morris}}
• {{player||ENG|Scott Nicholls}} (Cover for Jacob Thorssell)

2021 team

• {{player||ENG|Tom Bacon}}
• {{player||USA|Luke Becker}}
• {{player||ENG|Leon Flint}}
• {{player||AUS|Ryan Douglas}}
• {{player||AUS|Sam Masters}}
• {{player||AUS|Nick Morris}}
• {{player||USA|Broc Nicol}}
• {{player||AUS|Rory Schlein}}

2022 team{{cite web | url=http://www.wolverhampton-speedway.com/team22 | title=Wolverhampton Wolves Speedway: 2022 WOLVERHAMPTON WOLVES|website=Wolverhampton Wolves }}

• {{player||USA|Luke Becker}}
• {{player||AUS|Ryan Douglas}}
• {{player||GBR|Drew Kemp}}
• {{player||AUS|Sam Masters}} (C)
• {{player||AUS|Nick Morris}}
• {{player||GBR|Steve Worrall}}
• {{player||GBR|Leon Flint}} (Rising Star)
• {{player||GBR|Joe Thompson}} (Number 8)

{{collapse bottom}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|

• {{player||AUS|Jim Airey}}
• {{player||ENG|James Bond}}
• {{player||USA|Ronnie Correy}}
• {{player||NZL|Bruce Cribb}}
• {{player||DEN|Preben Eriksen}}
• {{player||USA|Sam Ermolenko}}
• {{player||ENG|Andy Grahame}}
• {{player||USA|Billy Hamill}}
• {{player||ENG|Dave Hemus}}
• {{player||SCO|George Hunter}}
• {{player||ENG|Norman Hunter}}
• {{player||ENG|Peter Jarman}}
• {{player||DEN|Jesper B. Jensen Monberg}}
• {{player||SWE|Mikael Karlsson Max}}
• {{player||SWE|Peter Karlsson}}
• {{player||SWE|Fredrik Lindgren}}
• {{player||AUS|Sam Masters}}
• {{player||ENG|Dave Morton}}
• {{player||DEN|Hans Nielsen}}
• {{player||DEN|Ole Olsen}}
• {{player||DEN|Nicki Pedersen}}
• {{player||NZL|Gary Peterson}}
• {{player||DEN|Peter Ravn}}
• {{player||AUS|Rory Schlein}}
• {{player||USA|Bobby Schwartz}}
• {{player||USA|Dennis Sigalos}}
• {{player||DEN|Jan Staechmann}}
• {{player||ENG|Tommy Sweetman}}
• {{player||DEN|Finn Thomsen}}
• {{player||AUS|Graham Warren}}
• {{player||ENG|Tai Woffinden}}

}}

{{main|Wolverhampton Olympique}}

Wolves hosted the Olympique annually.

{{Reflist}}

{{SGB Premiership}}

Category:SGB Premiership teams

Category:Speedway Elite League teams

Category:Sport in Wolverhampton

Category:Defunct speedway teams in the United Kingdom