Extended highlights of a First Division fixture between Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves at Hillsborough, 30th September 1967.

The 1967-68 season saw Wolves back in the First Division after an absence of two seasons. Under manager Ronnie Allen, Wolves had gained promotion the previous season as runners-up to Coventry City. Following a highly successful summer tour to the United States (   • Wolves v Aberdeen, United Soccer Asso...  , Allen's team had begun their First Division campaign positively and were in 5th position after the opening few matches of the season. However, a 4-1 away defeat to West Bromwich Albion on 30th August began a run of three successive defeats that left Wolves in a lowly 17th position. Two successive victories for Wolves then followed to leave Allen's side in mid-table ahead of their match against Sheffield Wednesday.

For the opening two months of their First Division campaign, the Wolves team remained largely unchanged from the promotion-winning team of the previous season - with the only new addition being the introduction of the talented 18 year old forward Alun Evans. Under Allen's tenure, Wolves had been steadily evolving into a team that would form the basis of their successful early/mid 1970s side under Allen's successor, Bill McGarry. The supremely talented left winger Dave Wagstaffe had been signed by Allen's predecessor Andy Beattie, but goalkeeper Phil Parkes, full back Gerry Taylor and iconic striker Derek Dougan had all made their Wolves debuts in the 1966-67 season, while inspirational captain Mike Bailey was signed by Allen in March 1966. Two other players that served Wolves with great distinction, defenders Frank Munro and Derek Parkin, were signed by Allen later in the season while a third, midfielder Kenny Hibbitt, was signed by Allen just prior to his dismissal as Wolves manager in November 1968.

Sheffield Wednesday began the 1967-68 season in excellent form and led the First Division after half a dozen matches. Prior to their match against Wolves, Wednesday had slipped to third in the division but had continued to showcase their ability with a fine win at Sunderland in their previous match. Manager Alan Brown had previously led Wednesday to the 1966 FA Cup Final against Everton and eight members of that team (Ron Springett, Wilf Smith, Don Megson, Sam Ellis, Gerry Young, John Fantham, Jim McCalliog and Peter Eustace) were in Brown's side that faced Wolves at Hillsborough. McCalliog, who scored Wednesday's opening goal in their 3-2 defeat by Everton, was subsequently signed by Bill McGarry in July 1969 and served Wolves admirably thereafter in a near-five year career at Molineux.

Although Wednesday again led the First Division in late October and were 5th in mid-December, a winless run that stretched from 23rd December 1967 to 16th March 1968 (coupled with a further winless run in their final ten matches of the season) ensured a gradual descent of the league towards a final finish of 19th.

For Wolves, after all their early promise, a season in the lower reaches of the First Division ensued (including a lengthy battle against relegation) with the ultimate result being a final league placing of 17th. Early exits in both Cup competitions further compounded a difficult first season back in the top flight for Ronnie Allen and his Wolves team.

Originally broadcast by BBC Match of the Day with commentary provided by David Coleman.

Approximate time of goals on YouTube footage:

05:53 Sheffield Wednesday 0 Wolves 1 (Peter Knowles)
10:55 Sheffield Wednesday 1 Wolves 1 (Vic Mobley)
33:45 Sheffield Wednesday 2 Wolves 1 (John Ritchie)
40:19 Sheffield Wednesday 2 Wolves 2 (Alun Evans)