Steve Bull

Stephen George Bull was born on March 28, 1965, in Tipton. His early football career began at Tipton Town before he signed professionally with West Bromwich Albion in 1984. Bull’s time at West Bromwich was brief, making only a few senior appearances including his debut on October 23, 1985, in a Full Members Cup match, and his league debut on April 12, 1986. Recognising limited first-team opportunities at West Brom, he sought a move to a lower division club to gain playing time.

In November 1986, Bull transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers, then struggling in the Fourth Division, a move that would define his career. He quickly became a pivotal figure, helping the club achieve successive promotions from the Fourth to the Second Division, along with winning the Sherpa Van Trophy. Bull’s prolific goal-scoring was central to Wolves’ resurgence, setting club records for all-time goals with 306 goals during his 13-year tenure. His remarkable form earned him an England call-up in 1989, making him one of the last players to be capped by England while playing outside the top two divisions. He represented England 13 times, scoring 4 goals, and was part of the 1990 FIFA World Cup squad.

After retiring from professional football in 1999 due to injury, Bull briefly returned as a player-coach for Hereford United. His immense contributions to Wolverhampton Wanderers were further recognised in 2003 when a stand at their home ground, Molineux, was named after him. He was awarded an MBE in December 1999 for his services to football. Bull remains a beloved figure and honorary vice-president at Wolves, frequently attending matches and club events, and in 2018, he was granted the Freedom of the City of Wolverhampton, cementing his status as a local icon.