'It's where my home is and also where my heart is' - Wolves legend John Richards on freedom of the city honour

With a UEFA Cup final and two League Cup winners' medals to his name, Richards became the club's all-time leader goalscorer with 194 in 485 appearances over 14 years from 1969-1983.

A true club legend, Richards went on to serve as a director at the club and then managing director, before last year being named vice president.

Born in Warrington, he was made in Wolverhampton and he has now been put forward to receive the freedom of the city.

The City of Wolverhampton Council are meeting this week to approve the decision, but it should be a simple formality, as the 74-year-old is honoured for his 'outstanding' contributions to Wolverhampton Wanderers, including supporting former players, his charity work and the 'exceptional impact' he has had on the city and its residents.

"It's very flattering and it cements my relationship with Wolverhampton - the city as much as the club," Richards told the Express & Star.

"I was approached about a month ago by the leader of the council, who said they were considering putting my forward.

"I'm honoured to get that nomination and all being well, it will be ratified this week.

"I couldn't believe it happened to me. It wasn't expected. 

"My relationship with the city, through the football club, has been the same ever since I came here. It's 56 years this year, which is amazing, and I'd only signed a 12-month contract!

"It's the place we've always lived, it's where my home is and also where my heart is.

"When you're young you take things one step at a time, especially in football.

"Players would come and go and you were never 100 per cent sure if you would get a contract renewal.

"Not at any time did I consider Wolverhampton was going to be my permanent home for virtually the rest of my life."

Football now is very different to the game Richards played with the increased money and fame.

In Wolverhampton the former striker is a hero, but he remains visible, approachable and humble.

He is often spotted at Molineux and around the city, in a place he made home all those years ago.

"It is all due to the club, if I hadn't been a footballer I wouldn't have had the recognition or involvement with the community that I did," he added.

"As players, we had a really good relationship with fans. We'd meet up with them and go to the various supporter club functions.

"We even had our own darts team in the 1970s, where we'd play in local clubs and pubs for charity.

"The players were very much part of the community and that has stayed with us. It is part of the reason why I've been put forward for this honour.

"There is a lot of good people in the city, who fit in with my philosophy on life and what we should be doing to help other people.

"I'm not alone in that, lots of former players do a lot too."

Dubbed 'King John' by the Wolves supporters, the former England international is revered across the city, but such is his humble nature that he would prefer to go under the radar.

"It's flattering, but I do get embarrassed," Richards said when asked about his 'legend' status at Wolves.

"The worst one is King John, that does make me cringe, but I know why people say it and it's lovely to have that relationship with fans.

"If the fans take to you as a player, it's just amazing. It's difficult to put into words.

"It's flattering but at the same time quite embarrassing, when someone shouts 'King John' at the supermarket!"

Richards was part of a hugely successful and admired Wolves generation that still holds weight in the modern era.

However, the current Wolves side, despite enjoying seven years in the Premier League, are in a relegation fight at the wrong end of the table.

But Richards is confident they have the quality to get out of trouble under head coach Vitor Pereira.

"They've got the players," Richards said.

"We have quality players and for some reason they lost their confidence, but the new manager seems to have picked them up.

"They're playing some good football and I'm confident, that once they get into a rhythm, that there's no reason why we can't start moving up the table.

"We have a team that is better than at least half a dozen of the others in the Premier League, so I'm optimistic."