Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
English football team.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, commonly known as Wolves, was founded in 1877 as St. Luke's FC by a group of schoolboys from the local church school. The club changed its name to Wolverhampton Wanderers two years later after merging with the football section of the Blakenhall Wanderers cricket club. Wolves became one of the founding members of the Football League in 1888, marking their entry into professional football.The early years were marked by fluctuating success, but Wolves achieved their first major trophy in 1893 when they won the FA Cup, defeating Everton 1-0 in the final. This victory established them as a competitive force in English football. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Wolves continued to develop, winning their second FA Cup in 1908 while competing in the Second Division.The club’s fortunes changed dramatically in the post-war years under manager Stan Cullis. In the 1950s, Wolves enjoyed their most successful period, winning three league titles in 1954, 1958, and 1959. They became known for their innovative "kick and rush" style of play and were pioneers in using floodlights for evening matches. During this time, Wolves also gained international recognition through high-profile friendly matches against top European clubs.Despite their successes, the late 1960s and 1970s brought challenges for Wolves. The club faced relegation from the top flight and struggled to regain its former glory. By the mid-1980s, Wolves found themselves in the Fourth Division for the first time in their history. However, a resurgence began in the late 1990s under new management, leading to promotion back to the Premier League.In recent years, Wolves have experienced a significant revival following their acquisition by Chinese conglomerate Fosun International in 2016. The club appointed Nuno Espírito Santo as manager, who led them to promotion to the Premier League for the 2018-19 season after finishing second in the Championship. Under Nuno's guidance, Wolves quickly established themselves as a competitive side in the Premier League, finishing seventh in their first season back.The club's home matches are played at Molineux Stadium, which has been their ground since 1889. The stadium has undergone several renovations over the years and currently has a capacity of around 32,000. Molineux is known for its passionate atmosphere and is regarded as one of the most iconic stadiums in English football.Wolves have a fierce rivalry with West Bromwich Albion, known as the Black Country derby. Matches between these two clubs are highly anticipated and showcase intense competition on and off the pitch.