Molineux faces scrutiny after Wolves’ 1-1 draw with Sunderland was halted when metal fell from the South Bank roof, hitting a supporter. The fan sustained minor injuries and part of the end was evacuated.
According to ExpressAndStar.com, the club had previously offered reassurances over inspections and repairs, but the incident has heightened concern and renewed debate over the stadium’s condition and delayed upgrades.
A 70,000-capacity vision in 1958 was rejected. The 1979 John Ireland Stand, now the Steve Bull, was meant to start a full rebuild that never arrived. Safety rules later shut two sides and, in 1986, the council bought the ground.
Sir Jack Hayward’s 1990 takeover brought an all-seater rebuild between 1991 and 1993 in line with the Taylor Report. Three stands were replaced, but the 1979 Steve Bull remained.
The Stan Cullis was expanded in 2011-2012 and billed as phase one, but 2012 relegation stalled wider plans. Fosun’s 2019 blueprint for around 46,000, anchored on rebuilding the Steve Bull, was paused in the pandemic and attention moved to smaller commercial works as criticism of ageing infrastructure grew.
With relegation to the Championship confirmed, falling attendances and rising tension, a swift return to pre-Covid expansion appears unlikely. Targeted work on the Steve Bull looks more plausible, with Jeff Shi in December calling it ongoing and seeking more council support, though councillor Stephen Simkins later said the delay lies with the club. Shi resigned as chairman two days later.