By Scott Cooper
July 31 2006

WOLVES Chairman Steps Down | Stoke's Henry wants to sign | Clapham and Davies set to sign | Mark Davies Injured | Three more players this week | Two join on trial.

Monday 31st July was by far the busiest day of the year. Far too busy for us to run different articles so here is todays news round up;

Wolves Chairman Steps Down   

Wolverhampton Wanderers chairman Rick Hayward stepped down. The son of Sir Jack took over as chairman back in 2004 but has stepped down today, citing "increased business commitments" as the reason behind the decision.

Speaking to the clubs official website, Rick said "We can't ignore the fact that the family's business interests in the Bahamas are expanding. This means I'm finding it more and more difficult to spend time in Wolverhampton, which isn't good for the club.

 "I think it is right that I step down as Chairman, but this doesn't mean that my involvement with the club is over. I will still attend games and support my father, Jez Moxey and the new Board whenever possible. This is an exciting time for Wolves. I'm really pleased with the appointment of Mick McCarthy and I fully support the move towards young, hungry players who really want to play for the club."

Also heading out the Molineux door is Paul Manduca whilst two local business men - Kevin Threlfall and John Gough - have joined the Molineux board. Sir Jack told the clubs official website "Both Kevin and John live in the city and have followed the club from the terraces since they were boys. They have enjoyed a great deal of success in business and I'm sure their knowledge and drive will help the club.

  "Rick and Paul have served the club well and their input will be missed. However, being involved in running a football club is time consuming and they both felt it wasn't fair to continue if they couldn't commit themselves wholeheartedly to moving the club forward."

Wolves have added that more appointments on the board will follow in due course.

Henry Desperate For Wolves Chance

Trialist Karl Henry today pleaded for Wolves to sign him. The 23 year old central midfielder is on a trial at Molineux after rejecting a new contract at the Britannia Stadium.

Henry, who's a Wolves fan, told the clubs official website "This is a great club and it is one I supported as a lad, before I joined Stoke at the age of 11. I still live in Wolverhampton, and so do all my family. In my ideal world I would be playing for Wolves and so if I am offered a contract then I'd snap their hands off!"

Clapham And Davies Set To Sign

Wolves have agreed a 2 year deal with 30 year old left back Jamie Clapham. The former Blues defender will join Wolves on the condition he passes his medical tomorrow.

Meanwhile - as we told you yesterday - Craig Davies was at Molineux today finalising his one year loan move from Italian side Verona. The 20 year old Welsh International will sign on the dotted line tomorrow with a view to a full transfer. (Click here for more on Davies)

Mark Davies Injured

Wolves youngster Mark Davies will mist the start of the season in a new injury blow. The 18 year old has damaged his cartilage in his knee following an awkward fall in the Pre-Season game against Aston Villa at Molineux on Saturday.

Davies will be out injured for between 3 and 6 weeks.

Three More This Week

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy told Wolves World today that he hopes to sign "another three" players before the end of the week. McCarthy has already snapped up Clapham, Bothroyd, Davies, Breen and Finkler but McCarthy still wants more.

Speaking to the clubs official website, Mick McCarthy said "The team I fielded against Villa at the weekend had never played together before. And then it might be different again when we go to Plymouth for the first game, if we manage to bring in a few more new players.

  "I saw a few good signs on Saturday and we have to remember that it was Naylor's first game of pre-season, Breeny had played only one and a half matches and Karl Henry came in and had only met the lads on Saturday morning. But I am not one for making excuses. We were awful with our defending and there is work to be done. The team needs to gel, but we need to collect points while we're doing that."

Two Join On Trial

Two players joined McCarthy at Molineux today for a weeks trial. Alexis Bertis, 26, has joined from French side Le Harve. Bertis is a left winger and has been joined on trial by Gambian midfielder Edrissa Sonko.

Sonko is also 26 and has spent the last six years plying his trade with Dutch side Roda JC.

Also Today....

Keith Lowe has joined Brighton and Hove Albion on a months loan whilst Wayne Hennessy's loan move to Bristol City has been cancelled due to fresh injury fears over Matt Murray.