Category: Wolverhampton

The Stourbridge-born midfielder would have missed the next match had he picked up a yellow card against NorwayJude Bellingham in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Norway and EnglandJude Bellingham has revealed he avoided a World Cup semi-final suspension thanks to his mum.Bellingham, from Stourbridge, was the star of the show as his two goals took England into their fourth semi-final.But it was his mum’s advice which helped him walk his suspension tightrope in the Three Lions’ quarter-final win over Norway.Bellingham would have missed the next match against Argentina had he picked up a yellow card against Norway but he avoided a booking thanks to a few wise words from his mum Denise.READ MORE: The disturbing digital trail left by racist monster who raped Sikh woman he thought was MuslimHe said: “My mum’s been telling me all week to watch my language, watch my tackles, watch my face, watch my emotions.”So, I think she drilled it into me all week about being careful of that yellow card.”And to be honest, when you play the right way, and credit to the referee [Clement Turpin], he was class, he still let you communicate in a respectful way.”A lot of referees don’t let you do that. So I think when I get the balance right, and there’s a referee who’s willing to listen, it makes it a lot easier.”And in the end, it was just a really well competed game of football, and luckily I got through it.”READ MORE: Secret to getting the best of BirminghamLive’s storiesThe Real Madrid midfielder has hope going into the semi-final.He said: “The game was split into loads of different kind of facets.”You know, some of it’s technical, tactical, and for me, the biggest one is psychological and how you can manage setbacks, how you can manage adversity.”And this team showed yet again that they can do it, and that’s a really valuable skill and trait to have going into the stage of the tournament.”Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here.

NatWest, which has branches in Birmingham, is bringing its UK-wide Pitch competition to the Midlands.NatWest issues £100,000 announcement with customers in Midlands urged to actNatWest has urged customers to apply as it launches its £100,000 pitch competition in Wolverhampton. NatWest, which has branches in Birmingham, is bringing its UK-wide Pitch competition to the Midlands.The bank will invite entrepreneurs to compete for a share of £100,000 at the September final. The Wolverhampton Pitch marks the expansion of the competition into the Midlands, providing founders with enhanced access to funding, networks and support in a region identified for its strong growth potential and innovation pipeline.The competition aims to address one of the biggest challenges facing early-stage businesses: access to capital. Through the NatWest Accelerator, founders benefit not only from funding opportunities but also from coaching, peer-to-peer learning and investor connections designed to help businesses progress from early validation to investment readiness.READ MORE DWP confirms three groups of PIP and DLA claimants excluded from law changeSince launching in 2025, the Pitch has attracted strong interest from founders across the UK, with four events held to date and nearly £400,000 awarded. Participants report increased confidence, stronger investor conversations and accelerated hiring or product development.Five finalists will be selected for each live event to pitch for a share of the £100,000 prize fund. The Wolverhampton final will take place on 10 September, recognising the city’s growing role in the UK’s innovation ecosystem, with further Pitch events scheduled in London in November.To enter, founders must be a member of or join the free NatWest Accelerator community via the NatWest Accelerator app and submit a 60‑second video pitch outlining their business and growth plans by 12 August. At the live event, finalists will deliver a three‑minute pitch followed by up to seven minutes of questions from the judges. The top three businesses will share the prize fund, with £70,000 for the winner, £20,000 for second place and £10,000 for third.Darren Pirie, Head of NatWest Accelerator, said: “Expanding the NatWest Accelerator Pitch to Wolverhampton is an exciting step in bringing more opportunities to entrepreneurs across the UK.”The West Midlands is a region with huge potential, and this event allows us to connect founders with the funding, networks and support they need to scale.”By launching in Wolverhampton, we’re strengthening our existing presence with Accelerator hubs in Birmingham and at the University of Warwick, tapping into a dynamic business community and supporting regional growth priorities that will drive long-term impact.”

Manchester United and Liverpool have reportedly reignited their interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes.Recent reports have suggested that Man United are on the brink of adding Chelsea’s Andrey Santos and Atalanta BC’s Ederson to their engine room ranks.However, while Santos is expected to finalise a transfer to Old Trafford over the weekend, a report on Friday suggested that the deal for Ederson looks far more uncertain.

The report goes as far as saying that Man United chiefs could back out of signing the 27-year-old.According to Globo Esporte, that has contributed to Man United re-joining the race to sign Gomes from Wolves.© Imago / SportimageWhat is Joao Gomes’ situation at Wolves?Gomes had agreed personal terms to move to Atletico Madrid, and a deal worth just below £40m was in place for the Brazil international to make the switch to La Liga.Instead, Atletico withdrew their interest due to super-agent Jorge Mendes taking Bernardo Silva to neighbours Real Madrid, rather than helping their own cause.That has effectively left Gomes in limbo, with the 25-year-old having started pre-season training with Wolves.

Nevertheless, the report alleges that Man United and Liverpool have made contact with the Championship club to establish the conditions for a transfer.Both clubs have a long-standing interest in Gomes, who is expected to leave Molineux after their relegation from the Premier League.© Iconsport / DeFodi ImagesWould Joao Gomes be a downgrade on Ederson for Man United?Michael Carrick could sign at least three central midfielders this summer, a consequence of Casemiro departing on a free transfer and a long-term injury sustained by Manuel Ugarte.Andrey Santos could become a midfield partner to Kobbie Mainoo, particularly if Ederson, as anticipated, misses out on a move to Old Trafford.Ederson carries a far greater goal threat from Gomes. He has 15 goals and six assists from 153 Serie A appearances, whereas Gomes only has seven goals and three assists from 116 Premier League matches.That said, Man United boast enough firepower in the final third where they would not necessarily miss any extra goals that may have come from Ederson.Meanwhile, Gomes is proven in the Premier League, even if he has been part of a Wolves side that have regressed over the past two seasons.

Everton are keen on bringing Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to Hill Dickinson Stadium, according to the Daily Mail. Everton manager David Moyes wants a quality cover for Toffees first-choice Jordan Pickford as Coventry City are looking to sign his current understudy Mark Travers. Johnstone has much-needed experience having featured in 375 games as a professional, with 85 of those appearances coming in the Premier League.The 33-year-old England international could be open to joining Everton, but an opportunity to be number 1 elsewhere could be more appealing. Johnstone, who last played for the Three Lions in 2023 and has yet to retire, is still harbouring the thoughts of featuring for England again. Remaining in the Premier League following Wolves’ relegation will appeal to him. However, he will have to settle for a place on the Everton bench if he opts to move to the Merseyside club. Pickford remains No. 1 for club and country and the Toffees also have others on their radar as they eye a new addition in goal.They had Leeds United’s Karl Darlow on their radar, but the Wales international is now expected to join Manchester United. The Red Devils were also considering a move for Johnstone but have chosen his Welsh counterpart. Some clubs in the Championship are likely to offer to make him their new first-choice goalie next season. The Everton target will not be short of suitors but may need to settle for the Toffees if he wants to continue in the Premier League.The Blues have signed Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, while Tyrique George and Merlin Rohl have joined permanently from Chelsea and Freiburg, respectively.

More than 300 privately owned properties that for years stood empty in Wolverhampton have been transformed.City of Wolverhampton Council’s Empty Property Strategy has seen 347 unoccupied homes, often in poor condition, brought back into use over the last five years.The local authority said it aimed for the properties to be sold to new owners or rented to private tenants, rather than become a blight on neighbourhoods.Specialist housing improvement officers from the council’s private sector housing team have worked with the owners of long-empty properties to encourage them to carry out works and get homes occupied. If necessary, the council can use enforcement action to ensure this work takes place.The council said it also offered up to £500 towards legal and/or marketing fees to encourage more owners of empty properties to sell on the open market.Councillor Steve Evans said: “Our action on privately-owned empty homes is the equivalent of us building hundreds of new houses across the city – providing more affordable housing for residents in Wolverhampton.”The properties we have become involved with have often stood empty for many years, sometimes because there are no relatives to inherit or they cannot be traced, and, as a result, the condition of the property has deteriorated dramatically.”We are putting these houses back on the market – either to sell or rent – and this in turn is also having a positive effect on the communities they are in, with local shops and services benefiting from new residents occupying the houses – providing a significant boost to the local economy.”Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.More on this story’Each empty home shows there is a problem’ – housing leaders call for actionEmpty homes are on the rise. So why aren’t they being used to solve the housing shortage?I live in a peaceful corner of Bristol. But the house next door is empty and full of ratsRelated internet linksCity of Wolverhampton Council

As preparations began for the club’s significant milestone, the designer was approached to design a lock up and pair of fonts, which encapsulated Wolves and its rich history, and would be used throughout the 2026/27 season and beyond.
Archie has been a Wolves season ticket holder since the age of nine, having first been taken to Molineux by his dad, and has seats from the old Waterloo Road Stand in his family home, which also features an extensive Wolves programme and memorabilia collection, built by the whole family.
So, Archie had the knowledge and passion for the project, but also, naturally, the skillset and commitment, which allowed him to link up with the in-house design team at Molineux, and SUDU for the 2026/27 home kit, which features the lock up on the back of the neck.
The design and fonts – named Goldthorn for larger typography and Molineux for body text – are being rolled out throughout the summer and will be used for all written communication across the celebrations.
For Archie, seeing his lock up on the club’s anniversary kit, which was modelled by new signings Keiran Trippier and the returning Raul Jimenez, provided an emotional moment for a boyhood Old Gold fan who has now played his part in this significant milestone.
“There are two things I’ve dedicated my life to – design and Wolves, for better or for worse, and I felt like it was an opportunity to use the former for the latter,” he revealed. “Hopefully supporters will feel that there’s something that’s been unearthed and derived from the city, from the fans and from the club, but not a one-to-one clone of something from the past.
“Looking at it now, it doesn’t feel necessarily like something that I’ve designed, but elements that have been pulled out and assembled together, and something that’s appeared before rather than something that’s been architected.
“The focal points – the fonts and the lock up – were all essentially reworkings of things that previously existed. Obviously, there’s a creative element and skill, but they were all drawn from stuff that people had been doing within the club maybe 75 years ago which was very nice.”
The humble Archie was keen to stress that his work was inspired by 150 years of Wolves content. Starting work in March 2025, he spent three months researching, three months developing the lock up and one year on the two typefaces, developed through his type studio, Hèso Type.
To his approach, research was always going to be crucial, and time with his dad and his Wolves collection, and with club historian Peter Crump at the Wolves Museum and city archives, proved invaluable.
“For me, nothing would be as important as being able to do something for Wolves, because it’s my club. I knew that there was a huge amount of pressure, so it wouldn’t have been right to just pull something out of the archive
“I went to my dad and asked if we could get everything out, because in the attic it’s all stuff from when he was a kid. There were rosettes and flags, and all different memorabilia.
“I was also really lucky to go and talk to Pete and be taken around the archives, and it was like unearthing a treasure trove, because Pete knows everything about Wolves, so it was an absolutely amazing moment – like a dream to be able to go back and look at everything.”
That extensive look into the past proved Archie’s inspiration. He was determined to ensure his work canvassed multiple eras and resonated with as many fans as possible, aware that Wolves means something different to every single supporter.
For him the 2003 play-off team was ‘his team’, for his dad it was much earlier and for his teenage cousin it’s the 2018/19 group which Jimenez famously starred in. Wolves can’t be defined to one team or one era, and it was with that at the forefront of his mind Archie attacked the project.
“I felt a lot of responsibility to look backwards a lot. The first thing was how do you put 150 years into a single mark? You’re looking at the past 150 years and everyone that’s connected, of course that’s the key part, but you’re also in this present. I was looking really closely at the programmes from the ‘50s and early ‘60s because they were made in the city and then I realised they weren’t contemporary to the ‘50s, it was almost like replicating a design from the ‘20s or ‘30s,
“There’s a continual loop, so I think it was important not to focus on one specific time. If you’re 90 or if you’re nine, you’re still a Wolves fan, and your memories of Wolves are going to be personal to you, so I tried to hook on to a few different elements that everyone could somehow resonate with, and that was the aim with the lock mark, with the nod to lock making. The Goldthorn font is redrawn from the cover of the ‘50s programme and the body front came from the top of the old Molineux gates.
“I always think what’s really interesting about lettering is that you read the font before you read the word, so I always like this idea of that association of memory being really close to typography as well. You get old programmes with writing in them, with the other scores that day, or who was playing, and it’s a personal memory.”
As we edge closer to the 2026/27 and the beginning of the club’s celebrations, supporters will see Archie’s work, whether that be online, around Molineux or in the matchday programme, while his lockup will feature on every kit worn on the pitch or in the stands.
For Archie, he’s excited to mark his club’s 150th year, and he hopes his work can be appreciated not only this season, but for years, and anniversaries, to come.
“What a great time it is to have this anniversary, it feels like that bridge between the next stage of Wolves.
“Hopefully when we get to 175th anniversary, or 200th anniversary, when people look back in another 50 years, they are going to feel the same way, that this design was considered. Can they see the threads that had been pulled through? It’s trying to continue this legacy, so it’ll be nice this year, but I’m wondering also how it be like looking back in 50 years and I hope it’s well.”

Plans to turn a phone box outside Molineux Stadium into a digital advertising screen and free wi-fi access point have been turned down for being “excessive”.BT wanted to convert the kiosk at the end of Staveley Road, Wolverhampton, into a Street Hub, external featuring two 75-inch screens with an interactive tablet and internet access.The plan would also see the removal of two other nearby kiosks, which the company said would improve access along pavements. City of Wolverhampton Council rejected the scheme, saying the hub would “appear visually prominent and incongruous”, and “fail to integrate satisfactorily with its surroundings”.In its application, external, BT pointed out that two similar schemes rejected by the council had later been approved on appeal, with planning inspectors saying the benefits outweighed any drawbacks.It also referenced government plans to improve digital access, and said the council would benefit from free advertising time on the screens for public information messages.In its decision notice, the local authority said it would add “unnecessary visual clutter to an area where signage exhibits a disciplined and proportionate approach”, and would fail to preserve the area’s character.

West Midlands Fire Service was called to the scene at around 4.25amFirefighters at the scene in Cross Street(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)Firefighters were tackling a blaze involving around 1,000 tonnes of recycling materials at a Wolverhampton skip firm.The fire at Jones Skips’ recycling yard in Cross Street sparked an ‘avoid the area’ warning on Monday, July 6.West Midlands Fire Service was called to the scene at around 4.25am, and by 7.30am crews were ‘making good progress’.READ MORE: ‘True hero’ jumped into action when toddler began choking in pushchairThe fire also affected a large shed-like building and some machinery in the yard.The fire service said: “On-site staff have been using a mechanical grabber to help us break up and move some of the recycling material.”Some nearby roads are closed to accommodate our high-volume pumping unit and hoses, and so our crews can work safely.”Anyone whose home or workplace is affected by smoke should keep doors and windows closed as a precaution.”In an update issued just before 11am, the fire service said staff at the site were continuing to help move the debris pile.It added: “Two aerial platforms are being used to damped down burning material.”West Midlands Ambulance Service said medics were not required to attend.City of Wolverhampton Council warned people there were ‘a number of road closures and diversions in place’ as a result of the fire.Diversions were in place on Willenhall Road and Lower Horseley Fields due to partial closures, while Lower Walsall Street was closed.There was also partial road closures on Hickman Avenue and Commercial Road.Follow our live blog for the latest on this breaking news story.

The woman in her 40s was left with injuries to her chest11:16, 04 Jul 2026Updated 11:24, 04 Jul 2026A general image of a Belgian MalnoisA woman was bitten in the chest by a dog in a scary ordeal in the Black Country, police have said.The victim, who is in her 40s, suffered injuries to her chest in the incident on Broad Lanes in Wolverhampton.It came after a man – who was in charge of the dog – attempted to assist with a separate incident in the area.Police said that the woman was bitten at around 9.30pm on June 12.READ MORE: The disturbing digital trail left by racist monster who raped Sikh woman he thought was MuslimThey believe the dog involved was a Belgian Malinois, and they are working to trace a man involved who is described as being white and about 30 years old.He is said to be of a thin build with short hair and was driving a white van at the time.A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “We’re appealing for information after a woman was injured after being bitten by a dog in Wolverhampton.”The woman, in her 40s, was bitten to the chest during the incident when a man in charge of a dog attempted to assist with a separate incident.”The incident took place on Broad Lanes, at around 9.30pm on 12 June.”We would now like to speak with a man described as white, around 30-years-old, of a thin build with short fair hair, who was driving a white van and in charge of a black and tan dog believed to be a Belgian Malinois.”Anyone with information has been asked to get in tocuh with the force.The spokesperson continued: “We have been carrying out enquiries in that area, but are now asking anyone who was around Broad Lanes at the time or has any information that could help our investigating officers to get in touch with us.”You can call 101 or use the Live Chat option on our website quoting crime number 20/283965/26.”Alternatively, you can make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Rodent footprints were also found on dusty cans of food at the Fighting Cocks SupermarketEnvironmental health officers found evidence of gnawed food items, rodent droppings and poor cleanliness at the Fighting Cocks Supermarket Rat droppings were found inside a filthy city supermarket, along with gnawed food, packaging, fixtures and fittings.Rodent footprints were also found on dusty cans of food at the Fighting Cocks Supermarket in Dudley Road, Wolverhampton.The business, which had a ‘significant rat infestation’ has now been ordered to pay more than £8,000 after failing to comply with food hygiene regulations.READ MORE: Road sealed off amid ‘criminal damage’ investigationA routine food hygiene inspection was carried out by City of Wolverhampton Council’s environmental health officers in January 2025.Evidence of rodent activity was clear across a number of areas of the sales floor and warehouse.Other issues included poor warehouse control making pest issues difficult to identify, and a lack of suitable handwash provision at the butchery counter and WC.Raw and ready-to-eat food had been stored together in the butchery fridge, where mouldy food containers were also discovered.The inspection also uncovered a dirty WC cubicle and the display of the wrong food hygiene rating sticker.The premises was closed immediately, and it was only allowed to re-open once it was determined that the immediate risk to health had been removed.Environmental health officers found evidence of gnawed food items, rodent droppings and poor cleanliness at the Fighting Cocks Supermarket Fighting Cocks Supermarket pleaded guilty to three breaches of The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 at Dudley Magistrates’ Court on June 24.It admitted it had failed to protect food against any contamination likely to render the food unfit for human consumption, failed to have adequate procedures in place to control pests, and failed to ensure the premises was kept clean and maintained in good repair and conditionThe business was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £1,200 plus £4,000 in costs.Environmental health officers found evidence of gnawed food items, rodent droppings and poor cleanliness at the Fighting Cocks Supermarket Following the hearing, Councillor Qaiser Azeem, Wolverhampton’s cabinet member for resident services, said: “This is a highly concerning case in which a business knowingly placed its customers at risk.“Poor food hygiene can lead to serious illness and, in this instance, the company showed a complete disregard for the safety of those that trusted it.“When food businesses fail to meet the required standards, our environmental health officers will take action and provide guidance on the improvements needed.”This was the case with Fighting Cocks Supermarket, and we will continue to monitor the premises to ensure compliance and protect the public.“We are committed to safeguarding residents and consumers, and this case should serve as a clear reminder that we take food hygiene standards extremely seriously in Wolverhampton.”