Sky Sports' Johnny Phillips: Wolves so much more than football for Josh

There have also been some unforgettable times away from the pitch. Three days before the north London fixture, on the corner of Barcelona’s Placa de Catalunya at the top of La Rambla, as the Spanish sun warmed the air, there was a sight to encourage a smile as wide as the one on the faces of those in the away end at Tottenham.

All the way down La Rambla, the street cafes and bars were awash with gold and black; Wolves supporters enjoying one of Europe’s great cities with families and friends.

There will – hopefully – be a similar spectacle on Thursday when Athens hosts the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 match between Wolves and Olympiakos. Scenes like these truly highlight the impact of Nuno Espirito Santo and his team. For most, this is the first experience of European football and all that goes with it.

Many have grown old spending their days watching the club mired in endless battle with Port Vale, Crewe Alexandra, Stockport County and their ilk. That is not to suggest those days were not worthwhile in their own right, but there is only so much enjoyment to be derived from plodding up a rain-soaked Burslem high street under thick grey Potteries skies. The café culture of a Mediterranean city was that bit more enticing.

For some, this European run is about something far more profound. One supporter basking in it all, surrounded by the company of his family, was 25-year-old Josh Batham. Josh was born with a brain injury and some complex associated issues which he has fought all his life to overcome.

Aged 19 he was diagnosed with autism. A determined and energetic character, he has lived in a ‘supported living’ bungalow for nearly three years and aims to be completely independent one day in the future. In a world where routines are important, Wolves have been a constant presence in his life.

“They say football brings people together but, in our case, the bond Wolves offers us is particularly precious,” says Josh’s brother, James. “Sometimes it can be a challenge to encourage Josh to even come over to our house for dinner if it can’t be a regular, fixed day and time.”

On match days, if Wolves are not playing, Josh can often be found glued to three separate screens while listening to his radio, with a live league table feed on hand to check where Wolves are in the table. He loves watching live sport and has a depth of knowledge which sometimes takes even his family by surprise. The Espanyol away trip represented the culmination of a long journey watching Nuno’s team, which began with a pre-season friendly at Peterborough back in July 2017.

“Josh asked me to take him at 4.30pm that afternoon, for a 7pm kick-off,” recalls Dad, Keith. “We got there moments before kick-off and Josh wangled us a car parking space right outside the main entrance by explaining to the stewards that he couldn’t miss kick-off. He’s a lively, engaging character.

The stewards took one look at him, winked at me, and led us straight through reception to sit right by the dug outs.”

“I just love supporting them and being able to go to the match with my family. It’s the best team I could ever support,” says Josh. For someone so clearly dedicated to the gold and black, an enquiry about who his favourite player might be was met with a look of despair and a straight forward answer. “All of them!”

Until Barcelona, there had been a limit to where Josh’s support could take him due to his fear of flying. But after listening to James, his uncle Simon and cousin Curtis telling him about their experiences watching the Europa League away games, Josh became determined to conquer those fears.

“That was really good,” says Josh, recalling the breakthrough moment when he stepped onto the plane at Stansted Airport. “I just didn’t like the take-off and landing. I’m quite confident now that I could do it again. I just don’t want to miss out.”

“Seeing Josh socialising and enjoying the banter in the Barcelona sunshine with other fans, and the way he took everything in his stride, was a really special moment for me and all the family,” Keith continues.

“It’s difficult to articulate what a huge achievement it was for Josh to have travelled to Barcelona with us,” agrees James. “And even more difficult to explain how proud of him I am. It was amazing to have him there with us.”

The family are particularly grateful to the Disability Team at Wolves, where Laura Wright and Suzanne Baylay are amongst a dedicated staff who help co-ordinate the needs of those supporters under their umbrella. The work of the department often goes unnoticed amongst the regular match-goers, but it is a hugely important department for those who need special assistance.

“Laura has been someone Josh has referenced in supporting him get to away games,” James explains. “It feels like the club genuinely care and it’s brilliant that they are actively finding more ways to be inclusive. We are, after all, one pack.”

Keith adds: “He had a real fear of flying. That’s all changed now thanks to Laura and Suzanne in the Disability Team and the club’s access for all, inclusivity work. We were wondering what it would take to get Josh to fly again, both literally and figuratively,” James adds. “In addition to plenty of love and support it turns out what he needed was Nuno and a wonderkid from Porto!”

The Wolves players are achieving something memorable on the pitch, but their impact off it might be even more special. Thousands of supporters have been enriched by this European season, and the scenes in Barcelona will be cherished forever. Josh was one of them and he has overcome so much to follow the team he will always love.

Or, as Gigi D’Agostini might put it, “L’amour toujours”.