Three more Wolverhampton clubs were inducted into the city’s Sporting Hall of Fame during a celebratory event on Saturday (8 October 2022).
Albert Lawn Tennis Club, Old Wulfrunians Tettenhall Cricket Club and Old Wulfrunians Football Club have represented the city in tennis, cricket and football respectively, and all reached their centenaries this year.
Launched in 1999 by City of Wolverhampton Council and the Wolverhampton City Sports Advisory Council, the Sporting Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates the achievements of sportsmen, sportswomen and sporting clubs who have represented the city.
Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment and Climate Change, said: “It is only right that we celebrate the very best in the city’s sporting achievements and dedication by inducting these three clubs into the illustrious Sporting Hall of Fame. Wolverhampton has a fantastic reputation of being the home of a number of sporting clubs that have produced competitors of national and international standard.
“This is a fitting way to honour those who, in a voluntary role, have selflessly provided a long and meritorious service to sport and without whom, sport would not happen. I am delighted that Albert Lawn Tennis Club, Old Wulfrunians Tettenhall Cricket Club and Old Wulfrunians Football Club have joined the eminent list of sportsmen, sportswomen and sporting clubs whose achievements have been celebrated in this way."
Chair of Wolverhampton’s Sports Advisory Council, Peter Holmes MBE, said: “Wolverhampton has a very great sporting history, and the foundations of this history are ‘the Clubs’. This is the foundation for any aspiring boy or girl to gain knowledge of their sport.
“We have in the city 22 sporting clubs who have achieved their centenary. This is something for the city to be very proud of, it must be doing something right to attract such dedication.”
Albert Lawn Tennis Club was formed in 1922, its original site was in Albert Road on ground owned by Clyno, the motorcycle and car makers. Fortunately, land became available in Aldersley Road; the club purchased the site and, on completion of the deal, eight courts were laid.
Old Wulfrunians Tettenhall Cricket Club was formed in 1922 by a group of sixth formers from Wolverhampton Grammar School. By 1927, the club had grown, and membership increased, a second team was formed, and the official name of the club as being Wolverhampton Grammar School Old Boys was recorded.
Old Wulfrunians Football Club, also formed in 1922, achieved national notoriety when involved in a UK record penalty shootout in the first round of last year’s J.W Hunt Cup, which ‘Old Wulfs’ won 19-18. This historic event is commemorated by a plaque at the ground of AFC Wulfrunians where the match took place.
The ceremony took place on at WV Active Aldersley where the Sporting Hall of Fame books and wall plaques are displayed. Previous inductees include organisations like Bilston Lawn Tennis Club, Wolverhampton Cricket Club and Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.