Ex-Wolves players star at charity night

Carl Ikeme and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake were at the Cleveland Arms on Willenhall Road to talk all things Wolves with former team mate Matt Murray asking the questions on stage, while a charity auction raised money for Race Against Blood Cancer.

The good friends were both part of Mick McCarthy's 2008/09 Championship title-winning squad and together played a combined 400 times in gold and black.

Ikeme, who made 207 appearances for the club, retired last year having been diagnosed with leukaemia in July 2017.

The 32-year-old,who is now making good progress in remission, said: "When you're playing you have to be a bit careful about you say, so it's the first time I'm speaking a bit openly!

"Sylvan is a really close mate of mine, we've been close since our Wolves days."

Ikeme has spoken openly about his leukaemia journey, something he's had to get used to sharing in public.

"You get more comfortable talking about it as time goes on," he said.

"It's not something I always want to talk about but it's something that needs talking about.

"I'm still getting over it myself. It's an important issue but at the same time I need to move on, so it's finding that balance.

"I always want to help in some way – if someone asks me to do it I'll always try and do it.

"It's about trying to have an influence on what I can do. Me getting diagnosed and going what I've been through sort of gives people hope and it's a familiar face of someone who's gone through it.

"It's not something I take lightly and as the future goes on I'll be able to do a lot more charity work."

Ebanks-Blake, still plying his trade for Walsall Wood but currently sidelined with a broken foot, is fondly remembered for his five years at Molineux during which he netted 64 times in 193 appearances, including of course the goal that sealed promotion to the Premier League against QPR in 2009.

"I've reflected on stories and times," the 32-year-old said.

"It's a good laugh, me and Kemes are great mates, we've been close for over 10 years now so it's great being here being able to tell stories with him – people underestimate the journey to get here.

"Carl's always been an inspiration, even in his playing days he had to fight off a lot of top keepers to play for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"He had a lot of injuries and loans and his journey was fantastic."

Like Ikeme, Ebanks-Blake keeps a close eye on the current team.

"They're top of that 'league' outside the top six and they're flying," he said.

"They're scoring goals, they play good football and they're consistent, which is the key. They don't change too much.

"It's brilliant to see, I see the results every week and it's fantastic."

And the striker wouldn't mind a few games up front for Nuno Espirito Santo's team.

"I'd love to play for them! Of course I would. It's a well-oiled machine. Whether I'd suit that team, probably not, but I'd love to try...I'd score a few goals!"

* The Cleveland Arms is hosting striker trio George Ndah, Dean Sturridge and Nathan Blake on March 7. Visit their website for tickets.