'Everyone applauded!': Wetherspoons manager recalls 'surreal' moment Wolves manager Vitor Pereira paid second visit after club victory

The head coach stopped by The Moon Under Water in Wolverhampton city centre on Sunday (April 13) for the second week running following the team's 4-2 win over Spurs.

Wetherspoons manager Luke Tomkinson said it has been "surreal" to have Pereira in the pub and described a "buzz" on the night as Wolves fans waited for his arrival.

He told the Express & Star: "The club's assistant manager [Luís Miguel] came in first at about 6pm. I was just on my break and one of the door staff came up to me and said ‘the big man is on his way in’.

“I thought he meant Tim Martin [JD Wetherspoon founder] but he said 'no we think Vitor Pereira may be coming in', so I got a bit excited about that. 

"The assistant manager Luís Miguel Facetimed Vitor and Vitor was sort of playing it off saying ‘I don’t know if I will come in’ and all the fans started gathering around chanting and he said ‘yes I will come in for a drink’. 

"All of the fans rushed to the bar and started buying him drinks and then about an hour later he came in and everyone applauded. For about an hour there was just none stop chanting. It was absolutely mad."

Wolves fan Mr Tomkinson said he was "gutted" to have missed Pereira's visit to the pub the previous week after the club's victory at Ipswich - but was there on Sunday to shake his hand and pose for a picture with the head coach.

The 30-year-old added: "He was on the Stella’s but as far as I’m aware he didn’t buy a single one. I doubt he will ever have to buy a drink in Wolverhampton. 

“I had to really balance being a Wetherspoon manager and a Wolves fan because obviously I just wanted to hang out with him and chat and stuff, but I was also thinking I need to be professional. 

"I went to shake his hand and he just pulled me in for a hug."

Pereira stayed at the pub celebrating with fans for around an hour before heading off.