Play-off flashback......
...to May 26, 2003. For Wolves fans of the recent generation, the day of all days.
Cardiff. The Millennium Stadium. Glorious sunshine. Sheffield United. And a glorious first half performance which as good as booked Wolves' seat on the Premier League gravy train.
Five years on and the last of the play-off finals also had a Wolves involvement.
Stephen Gleeson.
And although the Irish midfielder was only representing loan club Stockport it was another slice of Molineux success all the same as he helped his team to an exciting 3-2 win.
That also meant all four clubs ascending from League Two carried some form of Wolves influence with the three already promoted - Paul Ince, Darren Ferguson and Graham Turner - all having either player for, or managed, the old gold and black.
While Wolves season has now been over for over three weeks Gleeson was the culmination of a weekend which also carried a sprinkling of Wolverhampton flavour.
First off Hull against Bristol City.
Interest not only in who would actually remain in the Championship as next season's opponents but also whether former winger Michael McIndoe - who continues to make great noises about having made the right move to leave Wolves last summer - would make it up there with City.
They didn't. And so neither did McIndoe. Back to Molineux again next season then.
And yesterday's League One showdown between Doncaster and Leeds also carried plenty of Wolves flavour in the form of Donny manager Sean O'Driscoll.
Because O'Driscoll, although born in Warrington, moved to Wolverhampton at an early age and was raised in the city as a diehard Wolves fan.
Formerly an inhabitant of the North Bank, O'Driscoll then left to forge a playing career with Fulham and Bournemouth and then managerial career also at Bournemouth.
Indeed talking of five years ago, O'Driscoll actually guided Bournemouth to League Two play-off glory on the same weekend as Wolves defeated Sheffield United.
Rumour has it that he actually stayed on in Cardiff and sidestepped Bournemouth's celebrations back home to take in Wolves' long-awaited triumph.
Top man! And one whom, perhaps unlike McIndoe, will be glad to return to bring his team to Molineux next season.
So that's it - the play-offs pretty well signify the end of the English season, not least as with 'thanks' to Steve McClaren the forthcoming Euro's have no home interest.
For Wolves however life goes on, namely the signing and selling of players ahead of the new season.
And already one is in.
The acquisition of 18-year-old Sam Vokes, probably far cheaper than perhaps it should have been bearing in mind Bournemouth's administration status, looks an astute one, particularly as Newcastle and Villa were also rumoured to be having a look.
Having interviewed Vokes on Friday when sealing the deal in front of his delighted family, he appears to possess both a level-headed and ambitious personality.
At 18 it may take a bit of time to settle at Championship level, but not too long.
One question that wasn't asked was whether he has a nickname.
Anyone reckon on...wait for it...Berti?
I'll get me coat...


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