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Wath Wanderers - the first ever football academy?

Bob Hatton scored seven goals in ten League matches for #Wolves
Of the 114 Wath Wanderers to play elite football - Bob played the most matches (729).
Get your copy of 'Feeding the Wolves' at @WaterstonesWton open Christmas Eve 9 til 4.
Or order online at tinyurl.com/crookwwfc

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Know any London-based Wolves fans? Point them to this market for a wide choice of football books...

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Peter Knowles was picked up by Mark Crook - arguably English football's greatest scout. Cyril Knowles was also part of Crook's Yorkshire football factory that produced 114 elite players.
The book 'Feeding the Wolves' (published Dec 2025) tells the story of the Wath Wanderers nursery club.
Available online at tinyurl.com/crookwwfc or at Waterstones Wolverhampton.

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Joe Bonson's first away goals for Wolves were against Cardiff in 1957. The Bluebirds signed Bonson and he was pivotal in their 1960 promotion (18 goals in 26 matches).
Like so many players, Joe had Mark Crook to thank for getting him from Yorkshire to Molineux. A new book tells the story of the 114 elite players associated with that Crook (including Joe's brother Reg) at tinyurl.com/crookwwfc #wolves

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Steve Daley was one of 39 players to play for Wolves after playing for Wath Wanderers.
Three worthy causes will benefit from each book sold at this event £8 will go to to the Phil Parkes Fund, £6 to the Wolves Foundation and £6 to Brampton United JFC. Also available online at tinyurl.com/crookwwfc


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On #WorldBookDay it's only right we give an update on our progress with Feeding The Wolves.
The tribute book to English football's greatest ever scout is nearing sell out and has raised thousands for both worthy causes Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation and Brampton United FC
We still have a limited number available from us at tinyurl.com/crookwwfc and they remain available at:
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Waterstones, #Wolverhampton
⚽️
Rotherham United club shop
⚽️
The Book Vault, Barnsley
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Montgomery Hall Theatre
⚽️
Pettits, Mexborough
The book contains more than 50 interviews with many of the players identified as kids by Crook.
They include Alan Sunderland, Steve Daley, Jim Barron, Bob Hatton and Jimmy Seal.
Thanks once again to everyone who's ordered a book so far and given us great feedback. We hope to hand over big cheques next month.

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I had a copy of this arrive through the post yesterday from my auntie who lives in Rotherham - I look forward to reading it, this thread has been very interesting
 
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Feeding The Wolves author Ashley Ball has been given the unenviable task of picking the best XI of the players discovered by super scout, Mark Crook.
Crook found an astonishing 114 professionals, so this was no easy task.
He's gone for a gung-ho team who would definitely look to outscore the opposition.
Here are his selections and why he picked them. Let us know who you agree with and who you would change.
The book remains available from tinyurl.com/crookwwfc
GK: Jim Barron. This was a tough call but Jim just edged out the likes of Geoff Sidebottom and Jeff Wealands. Jim was a solid stopper and had a long career in the game that even saw him play against Pele.
Defence: John Short. A First Division title-winner with Wolves and a dependable full-back in the top-flight. He also played for Stoke City and his hometown club Barnsley FC.
Terry Cooper. A legend at Leeds United and a player who played for Crook's nursery team in South Yorkshire. Enjoyed a long career in the game.
Cyril Knowles. Spurs hero had to work hard to get into the game but became one of English football's most recognisable players thanks to 'that song'. FA Cup and UEFA Cup winner.
Midfield: Alan Sunderland. A player who to this day knows Crook changed his life. A great player for Wolves and a promotion winner before moving to Arsenal and earning legendary status with the 1979 FA Cup final win.
Steve Daley. Talismanic midfielder who also chipped in with more than his fair share of goals. Remains a very popular figure in Wolverhampton.
Ron Flowers. The jewel in the crown of Crook's achievements. He would be the obvious choice for captain such was his reputation in the game. He could also drop into central defence if needed. World Cup winner, Division One winner (three times) and an FA Cup winner.
Peter Knowles. A career cut short due to pursuing his faith but a wonderful footballer who had everything. Would also likely combine with his brother down the left and be a real threat.
Roy Swinbourne. Clinical striker who would have achieved even more had he not picked up a knee injury. Honved hero netted two against their legendary outfit and was rated by Crook as the finest striker he ever found.
George Robledo. The Chilean-born striker played for Crook's Wath Wanderers but made his breakthrough at Oakwell rather than Molineux. An astonishing goal record at Newcastle United where he won two FA Cups. Also immortalised on a John Lennon record and still holds the record for the most top-flight goals in a single season by a foreign-born frontman.
Bob Hatton. A goalscoring hero at every club he played for and a player 'made by Crook' after he was converted from a winger to a striker. Bob remains fond of Crook to this day.
Sub: Denzil Flanagan. A wildcard selection as Denzil never played professionally through his own choice as he put teaching first. Signed as an amateur by Wolves, Arsenal and Ipswich Town who shone in non-league football and for England Amateurs. Was a wizard of a left winger with a perfect cross which could have teed up any of the three frontmen had a goal been needed late on.
 
Wath Wanderers won the Montagu Cup in 1944. Would be good to see some #Wolves fans in attendance on Easter Monday. It's just 5 miles from blue plaques to Mark Crook & George Robledo. www.montagucup.com

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Wath Wanderers won the Montagu Cup in 1944. Would be good to see some #Wolves fans in attendance on Easter Monday. It's just 5 miles from blue plaques to Mark Crook & George Robledo. www.montagucup.com

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