The Bishop of Wolverhampton, a keen Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter, has joined the city in celebrating Wolves promotion to the Premiership League.
There were jubilant scenes at the Molineux today as title-winners Wolves arrived for their match with Sheffield Wednesday.
The celebration was in stark contrast to when Wolves were on the brink of relegation to League One on 3 May 2013. At that time the Bishop, the Rt Revd Clive Gregory, penned a special prayer that was published.
Bishop Clive (pictured at the match) said today:
On behalf of the Faith Communities of the City, I want to congratulate Wolves on their magnificent achievement. Our football team is a shared passion across all our faith communities and people of diverse religions and cultures within our City have been brought together, as we have shared the joy of watching this wonderful team play such passionate and beautiful football. The virtues of hard work and humility which Nuno has instilled in the team, are virtues which are celebrated by all the faiths , and are the surest foundations upon which to build even greater success.
In the darkest days of May 2013 I wrote a prayer, published in the Express & Star, before the match that resulted in Wolves demotion to League One. It finished with the hope that one day Songs of triumph may once more be sung, and the longed-for victory won.
Five years later, songs of triumph will be ringing round Molineux today as the Championship Trophy is lifted. I will be joining in the singing! As for the longed-for victory, how great it is that all of us will have a chance to join in the celebrations on 7 May. Lets make it a day like the City has never seen before, coming together in unity and togetherness.