Punjabi Wolves: part of the Wolverhampton Wanderers growing diversity
Wolverhampton, 29 May 2009. Article from Sportingo.com

In many ways, Wolverhampton is representative of the majority of cities in modern Britain. A diverse, multi-cultural population adds a vibrant, 21st-century atmosphere to what is a traditional, industrial area. However, Wolverhampton is perhaps most famous for its football club, the Wolverhampton Wanderers. And, among the masses that follow the club are the Punjabi Wolves, Europe's largest organised group of ethnic football followers.

Wolverhampton Wanderers, one of the 12 founder members of the Football League, have won the League Championship three times and regularly command attendances of over 25,000. Certainly the club will not look out of place when they return to the Premier League next season after being crowned Championship champions this season. Among the masses that follow the club are the Punjabi Wolves, Europe's largest organised group of ethnic football followers.

Permanent fixture

The group is a permanent fixture at home and away games, and their manager Pete Bassi says they are a symbol of the increasing diversity of England's national game. "There are definitely more Asian fans attending matches nowadays," he says. "At Wolves you will see Asian supporters in every section of the ground, from the family enclosure through to the executive boxes."

Set up to provide a platform for any supporter, irrespective of their race, the group has flourished, both numerically and in terms of recognition and popularity within the city. It boasts high-profile honorary members, including Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey, and BBC WM radio presenter Jenny Wilkes. Wilkes says the group plays a big part in the local community: "I think the Punjabi Wolves are playing a really important role," she says.

'Embraced the game'

"I met them through a local charity in 2006, and they have also become involved with Wolves Women, which I am chairperson of." She continues: "Traditionally, Asian culture does not embrace football, but now Wolverhampton has many Asian residents who were born and brought up in the city, and so have embraced the game alongside their peers at school and work."

The diversity of the local population is mirrored in the set-up of the Punjabi Wolves. Bassi explains: "Although the origins of the group are Punjabi, the membership is that of a truly integrated community, including many non-Punjabi members." The integration of both the group and the local community is something the football club are keen to build on, and Bassi says that the example set in Wolverhampton is one which could act as a blueprint for cities across the UK.

"The relationship between Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Punjabi Wolves has continued to flourish. We as a group have sponsored several first-team players, including ex-captain Paul Ince and current goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey," he explains.

Influence

"We have also become part of the Fans' Parliament, which gives us a voice in the daily running of the club." Although Bassi is keen to emphasise that the Punjabi Wolves are, first and foremost, a supporters club, not a tool for integration in the city, it is hard to deny their influence within the ethnic communities in the local area. "For their part, Wolves have begun to appreciate the impact that the Asian community could have," Bassi says. "They have started initiatives to get more involved with all sectors of their local community."

With the Asian community making up an estimated 16% of the local population, Bassi and Wilkes are in agreement that a close relationship between the Punjabi Wolves and Wolverhampton Wanderers is key to an increased sense of togetherness within the city. "Wolves are very keen to work with Punjabi Wolves," says Wilkes. "The club understand how Punjabi Wolves can help them to develop links with communities which don't traditionally follow football."

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