New book celebrates legendary Wolves scout in support of Wolves Foundation

Daley was one of 39 Wolves players discovered by the club’s legendary scout, Mark Crook.

Roy Swinbourne and Ron Flowers came before him, as did the likes of Peter Knowles and John Short.

More stars like Alan Sunderland, Martin Patching and Gerry Taylor were also Crook finds and help cement an incredible legacy from the one-time Wolves winger.

‘Feeding The Wolves’ by Ashley Ball and Chris Brook finally gives Crook the credit he deserves. for setting up a hugely successful feeder team for Wolves in Brampton, between Rotherham and Barnsley.

Ashley said: “Mark’s story was in danger of being lost but through some painstaking research and more than 50 interviews it’s been salvaged and retold.

"We are very proud of what we have produced.

“What Mark did was pioneering in football terms and pivotal for Wolves.

“Through almost 40 years Wolves knew they could depend on him providing players from South Yorkshire and beyond.

“Steve was one such player and alongside Flowers and Swinbourne is a real legend. 

“Realistically, though, they all should have geographically gone elsewhere – I suppose that's the magic of Mark.

“In total, 114 of his players went on to play professionally so there’s plenty who Wolves missed out on too.

“I think those names will make interesting reading to Wolves fans.”

Daley added: "I started out at Wath Wanderers after my brother had told them about me, and while I didn’t play many games for them it was really important as it was from there I went to Wolves.

“They played such a big part in getting so many players to the club, and even now, it is amazing to look at the full list of players that Mark Crook spotted.

“This book is a great way to look back at the careers of all those players, and the influence which Wath Wanderers had, and is a must-have for any Wolves fan with an interest in the club’s history.”

Half of the profits from sales are also heading right back to the Wolves Foundation who kindly sponsored the book. 

Ashley added: "Though Chris and I are Yorkshiremen, like Crook was, it quickly became clear to us that the Wolves Foundation's work is incredibly important in Wolverhampton.

"For that reason we're delighted to be handing over half of the proceeds from the book to them.

"The other half will go to Brampton United FC who play on the same pitches that Crook's many starlets did in South Yorkshire."

The book is available to order from tinyurl.com/crookwwfc or through calling Waterstones or Ron Flowers Shop in Wolverhampton.