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Deutsch1953–54 Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. season
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| 1953–54 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Jimmy Baker | ||
| Manager | Stan Cullis | ||
| First Division | 1st (1st title) | ||
| FA Cup | 3rd Round | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Dennis Wilshaw (25) All: Dennis Wilshaw (26) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 56,590 (vs West Bromwich, 14 November 1953) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 19,617 (vs Bolton Wanderers, 23 March 1954) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 36,340 (league only) | ||
| | |||
The 1953–54 season was the 55th season of competitive league football in the history of English football club Wolverhampton Wanderers. They played in the First Division, then the highest level of English football.
The season was a major success as the team won the League championship for the first time in their history, pipping local rivals West Bromwich Albion. Winning the title was a breakthrough for the club after three times previously finishing runners-up.
Season review[edit]
After an opening day mauling away at Burnley, the team found its feet and enjoyed a run of five successive wins to reach second place. The table was led by their Black Country rivals West Bromwich Albion. Both teams kept up a relentless pace before Christmas, with Wolves producing a run that brought 31 points out of a possible 36, including defeating West Brom 1–0. At the halfway mark only Burnley and newly promoted Huddersfield Town were managing to keep pace with the top two.
Defeat in their Christmas fixture against Aston Villa lost Wolves the top spot they had gained for the first time a week earlier. The start of 1954 brought an instant exit from the FA Cup at the hands of fellow Midlanders Birmingham City, but also saw them return to the top of the table. A run of three defeats in four though – including the end of their 11-game unbeaten away record (a club record) – allowed West Brom to regain top spot.
While March saw Wolves suffer further defeats, their main rival's form proved even worse. A second Black Country derby victory for Wolves against them in early April brought them level on points at the summit, second only on goal average with only five games remaining. Wolves then claimed top spot for the first time since early January the following week after thrashing Charlton 5–0.
The Easter period proved the pivotal twist in the title race. A 4–0 thumping of Huddersfield gave Wolves' goal average a further boost, while West Brom were held to a draw by Aston Villa. As was then traditional, the fixtures were reversed the following day, with decisive results. Although both title chasers lost, West Brom's 1–6 hammering at Villa Park left their goal average far short of Wolves' with just a single game to play.
Only a huge loss for Wolves coupled with a big win for Albion could alter the outcome of the championship on the final day. In the event, neither happened, Albion went down to defeat at Portsmouth, while Wolves' 2–0 victory over Tottenham confirmed their first ever league championship.
Results[edit]
Football League First Division[edit]
A total of 22 teams competed in the First Division in the 1953–54 season. Each team would play every other team twice, once at their stadium, and once at the opposition's. Two points were awarded to teams for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats.
| 19 August 1953 1 | Burnley | 4–1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Burnley |
| 18:30 BST | Shannon  62', 86'Holden 64'Pilkington 70' | Swinbourne 2' | Stadium: Turf Moor Attendance: 32,822 Referee: A. Holland |
| 22 August 1953 2 | Manchester City | 0–4 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Manchester |
| 15:00 BST | Wilshaw 18' Slater 36'Swinbourne 56', 83' | Stadium: Maine Road Attendance: 22,729 Referee: A. Murdoch |
| 26 August 1953 3 | Sunderland | 3–2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Sunderland |
| 18:30 BST | T. Wright 18' Shackleton 26'Ford 52' | Hancocks 63' (pen.) Wilshaw 81' | Stadium: Roker Park Attendance: 57,135 Referee: T. L. Wood |
| 29 August 1953 4 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3–1 | Cardiff City | Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 BST | Wilshaw 34' Mullen 38'Hancocks 39' (pen.) | Grant 13' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 33,221 Referee: W. H. Clapton |
| 31 August 1953 5 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3–1 | Sunderland | Wolverhampton |
| 18:15 BST | Wilshaw 35' Mullen 68'Swinbourne 70' | T. Wright 2' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 41,442 Referee: T. L. Wood |
| 5 September 1953 6 | Arsenal | 2–3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | London |
| 15:00 BST | Roper 25' Holton 41' | Broadbent 22' Wilshaw 33'Hancocks 88' | Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 60,460 Referee: G. Gibson |
| 7 September 1953 7 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2–1 | Liverpool | Wolverhampton |
| 18:00 BST | Swinbourne 44' Broadbent 88' | Jackson 87' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 35,701 Referee: K. A. Collinge |
| 12 September 1953 8 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4–3 | Portsmouth | Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 BST | Wilshaw 2', 3', 37' Swinbourne 86' | Gordon 7', 48' Harris 44' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 36,524 Referee: N. C. Taylor |
| 16 September 1953 9 | Liverpool | 1–1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Liverpool |
| 17:45 BST | Jones 69' | Wilshaw 40' | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 29,848 Referee: K. A. Collinge |
| 19 September 1953 10 | Blackpool | 0–0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Blackpool |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 35,074 Referee: J. V. Sherlock |
| 26 September 1953 11 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 8–1 | Chelsea | Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 BST | Hancocks 3' (pen.), 31' (54) Wilshaw 48'Swinbourne 61', 79'Broadbent 71'Mullen 86' | Bentley 76' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 36,134 Referee: J. H. Clough |
| 3 October 1953 12 | Sheffield United | 3–3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Sheffield |
| 15:00 BST | Ringstead 19', 48' Bottom 27' | Hancocks 10' Wilshaw 31'Swinbourne 84' | Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 35,961 Referee: F. S. Flander |
| 10 October 1953 13 | Newcastle United | 1–2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Newcastle |
| 15:00 GMT | Mulgrew 7' | Smith 81' Swinbourne 88' | Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 39,913 Referee: F. Thurman |
| 17 October 1953 14 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3–1 | Manchester United | Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 GMT | Hancocks 16' (pen.) Broadbent 43'Swinbourne 72' | Taylor 30' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 40,084 Referee: L. A. Brown |
| 24 October 1953 15 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Bolton |
| 15:00 GMT | Moir 44' | Hancocks 26' | Stadium: Burnden Park Attendance: 40,027 Referee: W. Ratcliffe |
| 31 October 1953 16 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1–0 | Preston North End | Wolverhampton |
| 14:45 GMT | Wilshaw 55' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 34,211 Referee: A. W. Luty |
| 7 November 1953 17 | Middlesbrough | 3–3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Middlesbrough |
| 14:30 GMT | Fitzsimons 22' McPherson 56'Hartnett 73' | Swinbourne 16' Hancocks 43'Wilshaw 86' | Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 24,284 Referee: R. P. Hartley |
| 14 November 1953 18 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1–0 | West Bromwich Albion | Wolverhampton |
| 14:30 GMT | Mullen 4' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 56,590 Referee: F. Cowen |
| 21 November 1953 19 | Charlton Athletic | 0–2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | London |
| 14:15 GMT | Broadbent 24' Hancocks 54' | Stadium: The Valley Attendance: 35,595 Referee: A. A. Howlett |
| 28 November 1953 20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | Wolverhampton |
| 14:15 GMT | Wilshaw 12' Hancocks 40' (pen.)Swinbourne 49', 80' | Woodhead 6' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 35,154 Referee: J. H. Clough |
| 5 December 1953 21 | Tottenham Hotspur | 2–3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | London |
| 14:15 GMT | Bennett 26' Duquemin 59' | Wilshaw 53' Broadbent 54'Hancocks 78' | Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 48,164 Referee: S. V. Davis |
| 12 December 1953 22 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1–2 | Burnley | Wolverhampton |
| 14:15 GMT | Hancocks 84' | Holden 32', 54' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 35,043 Referee: A. Holland |
| 19 December 1953 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3–1 | Manchester City | Wolverhampton |
| 14:15 GMT | Hancocks 36' (pen.), 89' Wilshaw 62' | Davies 26' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 27,606 Referee: A. Murdoch |
| 24 December 1953 24 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1–2 | Aston Villa | Wolverhampton |
| 14:15 GMT | Wilshaw 22' | Dixon 55' McParland 80' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 40,536 Referee: J. McCann |
| 26 December 1953 25 | Aston Villa | 1–2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Birmingham |
| 14:15 GMT | Thompson 28' | Hancocks 31' Wilshaw 88' | Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 49,123 Referee: J. McCann |
| 2 January 1954 26 | Cardiff City | 1–3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Cardiff |
| 14:30 GMT | Nugent 59' | Swinbourne 20' Wilshaw 37'Hancocks 82' | Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 47,113 Referee: W. H. Clapton |
| 16 January 1954 27 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0–2 | Arsenal | Wolverhampton |
| 14:45 GMT | Logie 9' Lishman 85' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 45,974 Referee: G. Gibson |
| 23 January 1954 28 | Portsmouth | 2–0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Portsmouth |
| 14:45 GMT | Dickinson 8' Reid 63' | Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 35,312 Referee: N. C. Taylor |
| 6 February 1954 29 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4–1 | Blackpool | Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 GMT | Hancocks 17' Swinbourne 54', 84', 85' | Stephenson 69' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 27,795 Referee: J. V. Sherlock |
| 13 February 1954 30 | Chelsea | 4–2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | London |
| 15:00 GMT | Bentley 1', 69' Parsons 9'Stubbs 62' | Swinbourne 19' Wilshaw 64' | Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 60,289 Referee: J. H. Clough |
| 20 February 1954 31 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 6–1 | Sheffield United | Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 GMT | Swinbourne 33', 44' Hancocks 46', 66'Broadbent 84'Wilshaw 89' | Cross 86' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 27,823 Referee: F. S. Fiander |
| 27 February 1954 32 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3–2 | Newcastle United | Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 GMT | Broadbent 4' Wilshaw 20'Slater 86' | Milburn 80' Broadis 84' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 38,592 Referee: F. Thurman |
| 6 March 1954 33 | Manchester United | 1–0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Manchester |
| 15:00 GMT | Berry 84' | Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 40,774 Referee: A. Brown |
| 20 March 1954 34 | Preston North End | 0–1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Preston |
| 15:00 GMT | Wilshaw 80' | Stadium: Deepdale Attendance: 28,857 Referee: A. W. Luty |
| 24 March 1954 35 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 GMT | Broadbent 42' | Lofthouse 10' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 19,617 Referee: W. Ratcliffe |
| 27 March 1954 36 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2–4 | Middlesbrough | Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 GMT | Broadbent 73', 78' | Watkin 3' McPherson 12', 88'Delapenha 34' (pen.) | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 29,145 Referee: R. P. Hartley |
| 3 April 1954 37 | West Bromwich Albion | 0–1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | West Bromwich |
| 15:00 GMT | Swinbourne 58' | Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 59,669 Referee: F. Cowen |
| 10 April 1954 38 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 5–0 | Charlton Athletic | Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 GMT | Hancocks 7', 70' Wilshaw 12'Mullen 53', 59' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 35,028 Referee: A. A. Howlett |
| 17 April 1954 39 | Sheffield Wednesday | 0–0 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Sheffield |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Hillsborough Attendance: 40,707 Referee: J. H. Clough |
| 19 April 1954 40 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4–0 | Huddersfield Town | Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 BST | Mullen 2' Hancocks 34'Broadbent 86'Wilshaw 89' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 42,862 Referee: W. J. Gaiger |
| 20 April 1954 41 | Huddersfield Town | 2–1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Huddersfield |
| 15:00 BST | Glazzard 4' McGarry 63' | Wilshaw 43' | Stadium: Leeds Road Attendance: 35,814 Referee: W. J. Gaiger |
| 24 April 1954 42 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2–0 | Tottenham Hotspur | Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 BST | Swinbourne 18', 68' | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 44,055 Referee: S. V. Davis |
- Final table
| Pos | Club | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 42 | 25 | 7 | 10 | 96 | 56 | 1.714 | 57 |
| 2 | West Bromwich Albion | 42 | 22 | 9 | 11 | 86 | 63 | 1.365 | 53 |
| 3 | Huddersfield Town | 42 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 78 | 61 | 1.279 | 51 |
- Results by round
FA Cup[edit]
As a First Division team, Wolves entered the competition at the third round stage. The draw for this round was made on 14 December 1953.
| 9 January 1954 R3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1–2 | Birmingham City | Wolverhampton |
| 14:15 GMT | Wilshaw | Murphy Rowley | Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 36,784 |
Players[edit]
| Pos. | Nationality | Player | Football League | FA Cup | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  England | Nigel Sims | 8 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| 2 | England | Jack Short | 26 | 1 | 27 | 0 |
| 3 | England | Roy Pritchard | 27 | 1 | 28 | 0 |
| 4 | England | Bill Slater | 39 | 1 | 40 | 2 |
| 5 | England | Bill Shorthouse | 40 | 1 | 41 | 0 |
| 6 | England | Billy Wright (c) | 39 | 1 | 40 | 0 |
| 7 | England | Johnny Hancocks | 42 | 1 | 43 | 24 |
| 8 | England | Ronnie Stockin | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 9 | England | Roy Swinbourne | 40 | 1 | 41 | 24 |
| 10 | England | Dennis Wilshaw | 39 | 1 | 40 | 26 |
| 11 | England | Jimmy Mullen | 38 | 1 | 39 | 7 |
| 12 | England | Peter Broadbent | 36 | 1 | 37 | 12 |
| 13 | England | Bert Williams | 34 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
| 14 | England | Len Gibbons | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | England | Norman Deeley | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 16 | England | Ray Chatham | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 |  Scotland | Bill Baxter | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 18 | England | Ron Flowers | 15 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 19 | England | Les Smith | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 20 | England | Bill Gutteridge | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 21 |  South Africa | Eddie Stuart | 12 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 22 | England | Eddie Clamp | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Top scorer[edit]
| P. | Nationality | Player | Position | Football League | FA Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | Dennis Wilshaw | Forward | 25 | 1 | 26 |
| 2 | England | Johnny Hancocks | Forward | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 3 | England | Roy Swinbourne | Forward | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 4 | England | Peter Broadbent | Midfielder | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 5 | England | Jimmy Mullen | Midfielder | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Most appearances[edit]
| P. | Nationality | Player | Position | Football League | FA Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | Johnny Hancocks | Forward | 42 | 1 | 43 |
| 2 | England | Bill Shorthouse | Defender | 40 | 1 | 41 |
| 3 | England | Roy Swinbourne | Forward | 40 | 1 | 41 |
| 4 | England | Bill Slater | Defender | 39 | 1 | 40 |
| 5 | England | Dennis Wilshaw | Forward | 39 | 1 | 40 |
Transfers[edit]
In[edit]
| Date | Player | From |
|---|---|---|
| November 1953 | Bill Baxter | Aston Villa |
Out[edit]
| Date | Player | To |
|---|---|---|
| January 1954 | Ray Chatham | Notts County |