Sky Sports' Nadeem Badshah meets the Punjabi Wolves Supporters trying to bring a party atmosphere to their games.
Friday 31 October 2014 08:02, UK
From fans dancing to the beat of an Indian drum to chants like “let’s all do the bhangra”, there are few groups like the Punjabi Wolves Supporters (PWS).
The Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have made a name for themselves by creating a colourful party atmosphere at grounds across the country.
PWS is one of the biggest ethnic fans groups in Britain with more than 500 members from all races and backgrounds.
Ahead of Wolves’ clash with local rivals Birmingham City on Saturday - live on Sky Sports 1 - one of the group’s co-founders told Sky Sports about how they have helped unite British and Indian communities in the West Midlands city.
Pete Bassi said around half of the PWS members who travel to away games are non-Asians.
He said: “Everyone singing ‘we are Punjabi Wolves’ and dancing to an Indian drum, it’s a sight to see.
“It is growing every game, they see the way Indians like to party.
“Like at Coventry last season, we cooked chicken curry, rice and naan and gave it to both sets of fans at the ground.”
Pete’s first Wolves game was in 1985 sitting in the South Bank stand at Molineux.
It was a time when many ethnic minority fans avoided going to matches over fears of racism and high-profile players like John Barnes suffered abuse.
Pete believes the authorities have tackled racist abuse but need to do more to encourage black and Asian supporters to attend games.
“It’s a lot safer than the 1970s and 1980s. A lot more families go,” he added.
“They’ve addressed the racist chants.
“They’ve not been completely eradicated, you’re always going to have a racist element, but there’s been a massive decline.”
“They need to get out on the streets, the temples and mosques, give out free tickets even.
“If you’ve got a fan who is five years old, who goes with his dad, you’ve got them for life.
“Show them it’s a good and safe atmosphere.”
I want to raise the profile of the Asian supporters of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and show what a diverse fan base we’ve got.
The PWS has done its bit in bringing more Asian men and women to Wolves games since the idea came about after a chat among a group of fans in a pub in 2007.
Under the Punjabi Wolves Supporters banner – which references the region of South Asia where the Asian fans hail from – the group has grown and is now affiliated to the Football Supporters’ Federation.
It has good links with the supporters’ liaison officer at Wolves and is now helping fans of other clubs set up similar organisations.
Next month they will attend the launch of the Punjabi Rams group when Wolves meet Derby County at Pride Park.
Pete said: “For the launch of the Punjabi Rams there is a get-together at the club and we will exchange pendants.
“They emailed us asking how we formed and we’ve helped them through the process.
“Chelsea and Nottingham Forest fans have also been in touch.”
The group’s centrepiece is the Indian drum, called a dhol - an instrument seen at Asian weddings and in Bollywood films - they bring to Molineux and most away grounds.
And there has been even more reason for the fans to have a song and dance with
Kenny Jackett’s side third in The Championship following their promotion last season.
Pete said: “I am ecstatic. Kenny Jackett has done a fantastic job coming up straight from League One.
“Fans would have bitten your arm off at the start of the season. Mid-table would be a good achievement.
“It’s a long way to go. I wouldn’t mind another season in The Championship.”
One of the group’s ambassadors is Wolves defender Danny Batth, an English-born player of Punjabi descent.
Batth is expected to be in the side for Saturday’s game with the Blues at Molineux and has thrown his support behind PWS.
He told Sky Sports: “I want to raise the profile of the Asian supporters of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and show what a diverse fan base we’ve got.”
And Pete has stirred up the rivalry with Birmingham by joking about their opponents, who are second bottom of the table.
He said: “I had a wry smile at their last result, losing 8-0 - hopefully it can be another 8-0!”
Watch Wolves v Birmingham live on Sky Sports 1, Saturday at midday
