The opportunity to narrate the Wolves’ narrative is a true honour for new club historian Peter Crump.
Crump took up the full-time post of club historian, formerly held by his old friend Pat Quirke, who unfortunately died away last year, after working behind-the-scenes in voluntary and casual capacities for more than a decade.
Looking to continue the skilled work of Quirke, who gave Crump his first post in the tour and museum department at Molineux in 2017, the longtime Wolves fan is excited to share his enthusiasm for the Old Gold with Molineux supporters and tourists all year round.
“It’s about preserving the history of the football club – telling the Wolves story in various different ways,” he explained. “We have the museum and the stadium, which are fantastic resources, so it’s about being a point of contact for anything historical.” It is bringing history to life for everyone – fans and tourists – and ensuring that it is properly preserved.
“It’s a true honour. I’ve been here for a while as a tour guide and in the museum, and there are many others who would like to be in my shoes. It’s difficult to put into words how I feel, but I’m delighted to be here.”
Crump attended his first Wolves game in 1991 and initially helped the team as a fan volunteer in 2012, waving flags, collecting fan banners, and creating mosaics, among other duties.
Crump will be more recognisable to supporters from the museum and as a tour guide, where his love for the city and club he serves has kept tourists returning to Molineux again and again over the past six years.
“It’s more than just being a fan; it’s always been a huge part of my life.” Wolves is so significant, not only the club, but Wolverhampton and its history. I’m pleased to be a Wolverhampton native. I suppose my football club picked me rather than me choosing it. My two elder brothers are Wolves fans, as is my father. My uncle Pete [Redfearn] was also the secretary here. It’s written all over my DNA.
“I’ve had a lot of experience researching the club’s history – a lot of reading and research.” I’ve had the good fortune to meet a number of ex-players over the last three or four years, and one of the most essential talents is listening, so I’ve been listening to the stories they and supporters have told me. Many people believe I was alive in the 1970s, but I wasn’t; it’s all about research and listening to people.”
Crump has been a presence at the club in recent years, delivering VIP tours of Molineux on matchdays and even discussing the club’s history with former head coach Julen Lopetegui upon his hiring last November.
Crump is now focusing on improving the Museum and tour experience for visitors through a range of new projects that will be set out over the coming months, as he prepares to communicate the Wolves narrative to all who visit the iconic stadium, both locally and from beyond.
“Everyone is welcome, regardless of who they support.” The museum is our museum, the supporters – everyone perpetuates our heritage in their own manner – and the material we have is fantastic. Perhaps other people haven’t been, so please go since it’s one of the top museums in the country. There aren’t many football teams in the world that have their own museum.
“We’re going to get a lot of different options, and we want fans to be able to come back and forth.” The museum will evolve, so visitors who have already been should keep an eye out for changes and return.
“There are many activities going on at Molineux in the various offices, but the stadium is primarily sat, and we want it to be used as much as possible.” Each of our tour leaders is incredibly informed. They’re all die-hard Wolves fans, so they provide not just knowledge about the club, but also their own perspectives. They are all outstanding and should be proud of their work.”
