Stephen George Bull, better known as Steve Bull, or Bully for short, is a Wolves footballing legend and iconic midlands striker. Thrillz takes a look at his unbelievable Wolves career and illustrious goal-scoring record.
Steve Bull’s Early Life and School Football Teams
It was plain to see from an early age that Steve Bull had a talent for footy. It was almost as if he was born to play football! He stood out in his school football teams, playing for Willingsworth High School back in September 1976.
Little Steve was also known to play local junior teams including Ocker Hill infants, Red Lion and Newey Goodman. He left school in 1981 and joined non-league outfit Tipton Town. He split his time between the factory floors of the midlands and playing local league games.
The West Bromwich Albion Years
It wasn’t long before Steve Bull transitioned into professional football. His manager at Tipton Town, Sid Day, also worked as a scout for West Bromwich Albion. On his recommendation, they signed him to the club’s youth ranks. Steve took his opportunity with both hands and quickly moved into first-team contention.
Bull made his senior debut for West Bromwich Albion in 1985, and then his league debut as a sub against QPR shortly after. He then made his full league debut the following year against Sheffield Wednesday.
Steve’s hunger and desire to compete meant that he left West Bromwich Albion in search of first-team football, and those remained his only league appearances for the Baggies.
In his brief spell at the club, Steve Bull managed two goals in four league appearances, as well as one goal in two league cup appearances.
Steve Joins Wolves in Search of First Team Football and his Club Legend Begins
Steve joined Wolverhampton Wanderers for a fee of £65,000 in 1986. Little did they know at the time that they’d just landed the bargain of the century!
Despite being better known these days as Premier League mainstays, when Steve joined Wolves they were on the brink of going bust and toiling away in the fourth division. Bull scored 19 goals in his first season, endearing himself to the gold and black sector of the midlands almost immediately.
Fourth Division Championship Season and Rise of Wolves
The following season, Bull’s impressive total of 52 goals in all competitions saw Wolves crowned as division champions. They became the first of only five teams to have been champions of all four divisions, thanks to Steve’s incredible eye for goal. His first league hat trick came against Exeter City, with another soon after against Darlington.
Wolves Ascent through the League Continues and Bully’s Legend Grows
In the next season, Bull inspired Wolves to yet another promotion, becoming third division champions in the process. Steve’s incredible goal-scoring record continued in the third division, with another 50 goals. This took his tally to an almost unbelievable 102 goals in two seasons, a feat rarely matched by even the most prolific of goal scorers.
Bull specifically passed the 100 goal threshold in the third division game against Bristol City, which Wolves won comfortably 3-0. He also managed his third league hat trick in the same season, in a crushing 5-2 victory over Fulham – and the crowd went wild!
Second Division Football Beckons for Wolves as Bull’s Scoring Record Continues
From being on the brink of going bust years ago, all the way to the second tier of English football. Wolves were almost at the apex of the game. This was due in no small part to Steve’s sensational and consistent ability to find the back of the net.
Bull managed another 26 goals in all competitions in their first season in the second tier, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to secure a third successive promotion.
By now, Bully was a full-blown club legend. Bull remained at Wolves until his retirement, breaking the club’s goalscoring record along the way
Although Wolves never reached the Premier League during Bull’s tenure at the club, he still enjoyed an incredible career with the Wanderers. To this day, Steve holds the club’s goalscoring record with 306 goals in competitive games, with 250 of them coming in league appearances, also a club record.
But it doesn’t stop there. Bully also holds the club record for hat tricks (18) and the record for highest goal scorer in a single season (a phenomenal 52 goals).
Steve’s Wolves Career Earned him a Place in England’s World Cup Squad
Although it was short-lived, Bull enjoyed an international career with England, too. He remains one of the only players from the English third division to play as a full international for England. He scored his final England goal against Tunisia in 1990.
Topping the Charts for Goalscoring Records
Whilst true that Steve Bull never played top-flight football, his Wolves stats and club’s goalscoring records are undeniable.
Steve even had the chance to play in the Premier League in 1995. The former England manager, Graham Taylor, agreed on a sale of the forward to Coventry City. However, such was Bull’s status at the club, there was a huge outcry from the fans.
A public media campaign from the Express and Star newspaper ensured that Steve remained right where he belonged in Wolverhampton!
Cementing his Status as a Wolves Legend
Despite never reaching the apex of English football, we think Bully made the right choice. In his final two seasons, Steve played on valiantly despite a recurring knee problem.
In 1999, Bull finally admitted defeat and retired after 13 incredible years with Wolves. He had scored his final league hat trick three years prior, with Bull’s final goal for Wolves coming against Bury. His final competitive appearance for the club was against Bradford City.
Becoming Steve Bull MBE Shortly Post-Retirement
Bull broke so many records and scored so many goals for Wolves that he was honoured with an MBE for his services to association football. Better yet, he had a stand named after him at the Molineux. The previously named John Ireland stand would now be called the Steve Bull stand, commemorating his contribution to the club forevermore.