Wolves stars join groundsman to celebrate retirement

A groundsman for Wolverhampton Wanderers got a nice surprise last night when two of the team's stars joined him at his retirement party.

Ken Bates has worked at the club for 16 years. "I've got a lot of stories," he said.

The team gifted him a signed shirt on his final day on Tuesday, but captain Conor Coady and goalkeeper John Ruddy made the extra effort to join him at the The Five Ways, Lower Gornal for his leaving party.

"They were there for well over an hour," Mr Bates said. "They're two of the nicest people I've met in football. They made the night."

He said the club was "like a family" and he had "enjoyed going to work for 16 years". However Mr Bates nevertheless said he enjoyed his first day of retirement and will soon be jetting off to Tenerife to enjoy a break, although "people still want me to do their lawns".

The groundsman said he will be returning to the Molineux as a spectator but will enjoy "sitting back and relaxing" during games.