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Wolverhampton Wanderers began life as a school side, St Luke's FC in 1877. Two years later they merged with another local side, Wanderers FC and changed their name to the current form.

Founder Members of the Football League

They reached three FA Cup finals between 1889 and 1896, winning the trophy in 1893. In 1888, they were founder members of the Football League, but in 1906, they were relegated to the Second Division.

Two years later, while still a Second Division side, they defied the odds to beat favourites Newcastle United 3-1 in the FA Cup final.

Relegated to Division Three

Despite another FA Cup final in 1921, the club remained a Second Division side until 1923 when they dropped into Division Three (North).

They won the Division a year later, losing only three matches in the process.

Wolves finally returned to the First Division in 1932, and they were runners-up in 1938 and 1939 when they also reached the FA Cup final, losing 4-1 to unfancied Portsmouth.

Stan Cullis and the Golden Age

The appointment of Stan Cullis as manager in 1948 ushered in a golden age for the club, with Cullis guiding Wolves to an FA Cup win in 1949 and Division One titles in 1954, 1958 and 1959.

In 1960 they won the FA Cup again and almost achieved the double, missing out on the Division One title by a single point.

Wolves parted company with Cullis in 1964 and slipped briefly into Division Two in 1965, returning to the top flight in 1967.

They lost to Spurs in an all-English UEFA Cup final in 1972, but won the League Cup in 1974.

Then, after a season in the Second Division, they returned to the First Division in 1977 and lifted a second League Cup in 1980.

Flirting with Disaster

The club was bought by the Bhatti brothers in 1982, and won promotion to Division One in 1983.

However, thereafter the club descended into chaos and plunged through the leagues to Division Four.

They were close to going out of business, before a consortium including the local council, Asda and builders, Gallaghers, rescued them.

They won the Fourth and Third Division championships in successive seasons (1987-88 and 1988-89) to return to the Second Division.

Sir Jack Hayward Buys Wolves

In 1990 millionaire fan Sir Jack Hayward bought the club. Hayward invested over 20m pounds of his personal fortune in the club but it was not until 2003 that his ambition was realised and Wolves returned to the top flight.

Their stay at the top was a brief one - they were relegated after just one season.

The Steve Morgan Takeover

In August 2007, businessman Steve Morgan completed a takeover, paying Sir Jack Hayward the nominal sum of 10 pounds, in return for a 30 million pound investment in the club.

Wolves were promoted to the Premier League, as champions in 2009.

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