Wolves Academy graduate and Premier League midfielder Elliott Bennett reflects on his most elegant, skilful and stylish teammates, kits and moments which make up his beautiful game.
Most beautiful player | Wes Hoolahan
I’d have to say Wes Hoolahan. Although he couldn’t use his right foot and everything he did with his left foot, but he was just ridiculous. It was like the ball was glued to his feet. He could run with it, he wasn’t rapid, but you couldn’t get the ball off him. He was little, but he would always escape, he could nutmeg a mermaid – he was unbelievable.
Most beautiful Wolves teammate | Mark Davies
Without his injuries, Sparky would have had a ridiculous career. The talent he had was stupid. He was such a special player and if he hadn’t got his injuries, he would have played for England. If he was coming through nowadays, I think he’d have been even better because back then it was all 4-4-2, whereas now, with all these new positions, he would have suited the game more so now than he did when he was coming through – and he was special then. He was quite aggressive as well, so with the way the game is played now and the way it’s evolved, he’s have been brilliant.
Most beautiful opposition | Manchester City
I’ve played against a few, but I’ve got to say Man City when they won the league with the ‘Agueroooooooo’ when I was playing for Norwich. They were ridiculous. They had the likes of Aguero, Tevez, David Silva, Nasri, Yaya Toure – we didn’t get near them. Playing against players like that was incredible and real pinch me moments because growing up loving football, watching Match of the Day and dreaming that one day you’re going to do it, you never really believe it, so to get the opportunity to play against icons of football, like Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, and just having the opportunity to share a pitch with those types of players was something I’ll always look back on with fond memories.
Most beautiful goal | Suarez vs Norwich City, 2012
You could take your pick of any of Suarez’s four goals against Norwich! One that stood out for me was when he was towards the start of his career before he blew up to become unreal was Gareth Bale’s against Norwich at Carrow Road in 2013. He ran from the edge of his box, straight down the middle of the pitch, no one could catch him, and he slotted it into the corner. It was a great goal. But the one I’d have to pick was Suarez from the halfway line at Carrow Road. To have the vision to do it, was incredible.
Most beautiful kit | Wolves 2004/05 away
One of my favourites was Norwich’s away in 2011/12 and it was green with a white collar. But I think that’s just because I scored a few in it, so it’s got those memories attached to it. But my favourite one I’ve ever worn is the navy blue Wolves away kit from around 2005 – it was my first Wolves one and it had Chaucer on the front with the little horse logo. I really liked that one as it was just a smart kit.
Most beautiful stadium | Emirates Stadium
I have so many different answers for different reasons, but for everything, like how it looks, the memories I have of it – maybe not necessarily the atmosphere – it’s the Emirates. For atmosphere, it would be St James’ Park, but I’ve got to go for the Emirates. I didn’t think the atmosphere was very good there when I played there, but it’s probably better now, and for how it looks and the experience of playing there, it was brilliant.
Most beautiful moment in history | Messi lifting the World Cup
That 2022 final was incredible and is up there with one of the greatest football matches of all time, but it’s definitely the best final I’ve ever seen. And to see, in my opinion, the greatest ever player lift the World Cup and do the one thing that everyone had said is the reason why he’s not the best ever, because he couldn’t be the best if he hadn’t won the World Cup – Maradona did it, Pele had done it, and all these other people – so seeing him lift the trophy was the moment that catapulted him into a space where I’ve always believed he was.
This article originally featured in Wolves' official 2025/26 matchday programme. Last season's programmes are still available to purchase online through retailers Curtis Sports.
