Our spotlight series concludes with recently relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers
In our final edition of `League One spotlight` we focus attention on Wolverhampton Wanderers who suffered successive relegations last season having played in the Premiership just 12 months ago.
Wolves are one of the founder members of the Football League and have played at Molineux since 1889.
They have won the FA Cup four times (most recently in 1960) and the League Cup twice – they have also been runners up in the UEFA Cup after losing out to Tottenham Hotspur in 1972.
More recently they won the Football League Trophy against Burnley in 1988, and a season later became Champions of the old Third Division.
They soon worked their way up the Football pyramid and won promotion to the Premiership in 2003 via the play-offs.
Wolves overcoming Sheffield United 3-0 at Wembley Stadium thanks to goals from Mark Kennedy, Nathan Blake and Kenny Miller.
They were relegated in their first season though with Dave Jones at the helm, and when former England Coach Glenn Hoddle failed to bring back Premiership Football the job of rebuilding the club fell in the hands of Mick McCarthy.
Under new ownership the team moved forward and in 2009 Wolves returned to the top flight after becoming Champions of the Championship.
Against the odds they escaped relegation two seasons running, but McCarthy was sacked during the 2011/12 season after a 5-1 home defeat at the hands of local rivals West Brom, and Terry Connor was unable to turn things around as the club dropped back in to the second tier.
Connor was replaced by unknown Norwegian Manager Stale Solbakken who had the difficult task of trying to regain Premier League status; however things didn’t quite work out the way he would have wanted.
Wolves were in the clutches of the drop zone at the turn of the year and the board moved to replace Solbakken with former player Dean Saunders.
Sadly he too was unable to get the required results, and on the last day of the season their relegation was confirmed after a 2-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Saunders was relieved of his duties, and Wolves are on the hunt for another new Manager as the club comes to terms with having to play in npower League One.
As with our previous articles we highlight the other teams within the division, the final four on the list beginning with Shrewsbury Town.
Mama Sidibe shrugs off a challenge to retain possession
SHREWSBURY TOWN
Manager: Graham Turner
Home stadium: New Meadow
2012/13 league position: 16th in League One
Having won just two of their first 11 league games one could have been forgiven for thinking that Shrewsbury would have been strong contenders for the drop.
However Graham Turner, who guided the club to League One in the 2011/12 season, rallied his players and went unbeaten in eight games over the Christmas period to give them some breathing space ahead of the bottom four.
Relegation was still a possibility in April, but three victories in their last six outings secured League One status for a second season, and Turner will no doubt be after a strong centre forward to ensure they move forward in to a top half outfit.
Shrewsbury fans will remember the Gills all too well having suffered defeat at the hands of Mark Stimson’s men in the 2009 League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium.
Simeon Jackson’s late goal securing a 1-0 win.
Simon King attempts to find a pass at Wembley
STEVENAGE
Manager: Graham Westley
Home Stadium: Broadhall Way
2012/13 league position: 18th in League One
Graham Westley returned to Stevenage for a third spell as Manager in late March following the sacking of Gary Smith.
The Boro looked to be strong candidates for a play-off spot before the turn of the year, but their form began to falter.
With five straight defeats at the end of February and three more in March the board made their decision to change their Manager due to a `worrying run of results.`
Westley, who achieved back to back promotions with the club in his second spell, will hope to pick up where he left off and challenge for a place in the Championship.
Simeon Jackson in action against Stevenage in 2008
TRANMERE ROVERS
Manager: Ronnie Moore
Home Stadium: Prenton Park
2012/13 league position: 9th in League One
Tranmere fans can consider themselves unlucky not to be playing Championship football next season, having been top of the league in the opening months.
However four straight defeats at the start of February brought their promotion charge to a halt, and even a play-off position eventually eluded them after failing to win in their last six outings.
The Gills haven’t defeated Tranmere in their last four meetings, their last win coming in January 2007 when an own goal from Chris McCready and a strike from Andrew Crofts sealed a 2-0 victory at Priestfield.
Danny Jackman attempts to hold off two approaching defenders
WALSALL
Manager: Dean Smith
Home Stadium: Banks’s Stadium
2012/13 league position: 9th in League One
Walsall enjoyed a successful 2012/13 season, finishing just six points shy of a play-off position in npower League One.
Manager Dean Smith saved the club from relegation in the 2011/12 season, and with an overhaul of playing staff set about trying to make the club top half contenders.
Will Grigg, a striker who came through the club’s youth team, netted 20 goals in all competitions and his contribution could be priceless if they are to challenge for a top six finish.
Barry Fuller finds space for a cross on the right hand side
The only way to guarantee your place in the stands at MEMS Priestfield Stadium for the visit of Wolves next season, and the other four teams mentioned above, is to book your season ticket using the link below.