Wolves rule out Liquidator return due to offensive chanting

Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed they will not bring back their pre-match song The Liquidator after a review by the club.

The song – which has historically prompted offensive chanting towards rivals West Bromwich Albion – was pulled several years ago and has seen Wolves sanctioned by the Football Association over the chanting.

The club’s new executive chairman Nathan Shi told supporters at a BBC Radio WM Fan Forum in May that he would review the club’s position but on Thursday confirmed the ban would remain in place.

Wolves fan and podcaster Ryan Leister said it was disappointing as the song engaged fans before a home match but the decision was “probably the outcome most fans expected”.

The song had been played at the club for decades.

But Wolves said while the club recognised its significance with sections of supporters and its “long association” with the atmosphere at Molineux, “football, and the regulatory environment in which clubs operate, have changed considerably over the past two decades”.

Against the backdrop of an FA sanction, it was not appropriate to reintroduce a song which has historically prompted mass offensive chanting at Molineux, the club said.

“The decision reflects Wolves’ responsibility to provide a welcoming matchday environment for everyone, while meeting the standards expected of the club in relation to supporter behaviour, safety and governance.”