Death of a Hero

Former Wolves keeper Mark Kendall died last night at his home in South Wales, he was just 49. Mark was the Wolves ‘keeper in my formative years as a Wolves fan, guarding the goal as Wolves enjoyed successive promotions from the lower leagues in 1987/88 and 1988/89. He also played for Wolves against Burnley at Wembley in the victory over Burnley in Sherpa Van Trophy in 1988, played in front of a crowd close to 100,000. Mark was from the same area in South Wales as I grew up in, and my dad often took me to see Newport County play when Mark played in goal for them before joining Wolves. I always felt a close affinity to Mark because of this.

Despite playing in the old 3rd and 4th divisions, those seasons were my most enjoyable as a Wolves fan. Having just passed my driving test I drove up and down the country watching Wolves home and away as we romped upward through the leagues. Steve Bull scoring over fifty goals in two succesive seasons. Mark was a big part of that, a member of the last team of “normal” blokes to play for Wolves, before superpay and celebrity came along. When he retired from football he worked as a policeman in his native South Wales.

He had a great relationship with the fans, often joking around with us when the ball was at the opposite end of the pitch and sometimes closer to our goal. Close shaves were greeted with a “phew”, a wink and a big smile. I’ll always remember standing in the South Bank at Molineux, joining in with a chorus of “Kendall, Kendall show us your arse, Kendall show us your arse” at which he would often tuck his shirt into his shorts, and without acknowledging us give us a flash! I also remember, after conceding a penalty at Wrexham, a few Wolves fans threw their pies on the pitch, after the penalty was scored Mark picked up a pie and started eating it before taking his place back between the posts. I’m other Wolves fans have many other examples of Mark’s antics as a Wolves player.

However, he wasn’t just a joker. Mark was an excellent and reliable goalkeeper, unfortunate not to play for the senior Wales team, which at the time had the legendary Neville Southall between the posts. My favourite memory of Mark was a game against arch rivals West Brom at the Hawthorns. With the game level and into the last 5 minutes, Mark saved a penalty before Steve Bull scored a winner for us in the final minute to spark one of the most incredible celebrations I’ve ever been involved in as a Wolves fan.

He died of a suspected heart attack after a long walk and collapsed in the kitchen of his home late last night. Paramedics tried in vain to revive him. He is survived by a wife and two children. Rest in peace Mark, you will be sorely missed.

Category: History

Tags: History, Team News

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