Wolves History

Wolverhampton Speedway - 1991

In 1991 the British and National Leagues merged.  Wolves lined up Ermolenko, Correy, Carter and Jones, brought back Andy Phillips from his loan spell at Coventry and fit-again Lars Munkedal, and Sam’s younger brother Charles Ermolenko.  The side began well and was soon challenging for league honours.  In mid-season, Munkedal was replaced by Australian Scott Norman.  This was the final piece of the jigsaw and Wolves headed the table in September.

Wolves fans knew that the team needed to win at Poole on October 1.  At half-way stage Wolves were four points up.  A spirited finish saw them run out winners by 54-36.  Wolves fans who had made the long journey down to Dorset celebrated long into the night.  Was this, at last, the year in which Wolves would win their first major league honours?

The following evening title rivals Cradley Heath lost heavily at Ipswich.  It meant that Wolves could, theoretically, lose the title to their Black Country rivals if the Heathens won their remaining meetings heavily.  When they failed to do so, Wolves were home and dry and celebrated their success when they were presented with the trophy on October 14.  To cap a fine season, Sam Ermolenko won the British League Riders’ Championship, the first Wolves success in the competition since Ole Olsen in 1972.

Mark Sawbridge